Daily Briefs

 Decision delayed on retrial of officer 

DETROIT (AP) — A Detroit police officer who fatally shot a young girl on a couch during a midnight raid filmed by a reality TV show must wait until next year to learn if prosecutors will continue to pursue the case.

Joseph Weekley’s second trial ended in October with a hung jury. All that remains is a misdemeanor charge of recklessly using a firearm. A judge dismissed a charge of involuntary manslaughter during the trial.
 
Weekley was expected to learn at a hearing Friday what prosecutors had decided. But prosecutors said Friday they need more time. A hearing now is planned Feb. 27.

Defense attorney Steve Fishman says he’s OK with the delay.

If needed, a trial date has been scheduled for March 30.

Seven-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones was shot in the head while she slept in May 2010. The shooting was not considered intentional. Police were accompanied by a camera crew from “The First 48,” which recorded it from the outside but not inside where Aiyana was shot.

Weekley burst through the door to search for a murder suspect. He says he mistakenly pulled the trigger when Aiyana’s grandmother grabbed his gun, although she denies it.

Weekley says he feels “haunted” by the tragedy.

A spokesman for a group that pressed for charges in Aiyana’s death was disappointed in the delay in the decision from prosecutors.

“Justice delayed is justice denied. That being said, if there is justice out there, we will find it,” Roland Lawrence said in a statement.
 

LAD to conduct free outreach clinic Dec. 18

Legal Aid and Defender Association Inc. (LAD) will conduct a free outreach clinic on civil legal services for participants of  Cody Rouge Family Connect on Thursday, Dec. 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at  at Don Bosco Hall, 19321 W. Chicago St. in Detroit.  
 
Attendees are asked to register before 11 a.m. as a LAD attorney will assist only those persons who have done so by that time. 

Anyone seeking legal services can call 877-964-4700 or visit http://www.ladadetroit.org.
 

Law firm to hold half-day Detroit Business Symposium January 8

Southeast Michigan businesses can discover legal tools and learn tips they need to thrive during a half-day Detroit Business Symposium presented by Butzel Long.
 
The program will take place from 7:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8, at the M@dison Building located at 1555 Broadway Street in Detroit.  

The cost is $50, which includes breakfast and lunch. The event will benefit Young Detroit Builders, an educational training program that helps qualified low income young adults ages 18-24 earn their
GEDS while getting hands-on construction training.  

Register online at www.butzel.com/event.  

For inquiries, contact Charmese Wilson at 313-983-6904 or email at wilsonc@butzel.com.

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