Man charged with hate crimes for attack on Black teen
MONROE, Mich. (AP) — A white man accused of attacking a Black teenager has been indicted on federal hate crime charges, eight months after an incident at a Michigan park.
Lee Mouat is accused of striking Devin Freelon Jr. with a bike lock in June. Investigators said he repeatedly yelled racial slurs and said Blacks couldn’t use the beach in Monroe.
Mouat’s case has moved slowly in federal court since he was initially charged in a criminal complaint in October. His attorney and prosecutors were discussing a possible plea deal to avoid an indictment, according to a Dec. 14 court filing.
The indictment was filed Wednesday. An email seeking comment was sent to Mouat’s attorney.
Freelon lost at least three teeth and suffered other injuries. Dr. Nawras Najor provided free dental work to fix his smile just before graduation at Orchard Center High School.
Woman who feared deportation can leave church after 3 years
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) — A woman who spent nearly three years at a southwestern Michigan church to avoid deportation can return to the community, her attorney said.
Saheeda Nadeem has been given a supervision order by the federal government, which lifts any imminent threat of being deported to Pakistan, said Susan Reed, an attorney at the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center.
“Today, I have freedom,” Nadeem said Wednesday.
She arrived in the U.S. 13 years ago, hoping for a better life for her children, but overstayed her visa. Courts had ordered her removal but no action was taken. Nadeem feared for her safety in her native country, Pakistan, where she hadn’t lived in years.
Nadeem sought refuge at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Kalamazoo in 2018 as the Trump administration took an aggressive approach toward immigrants.
“We appreciate the government’s new approach to her case, and we will continue to work for a more just system for all immigrants,” Reed said.
The Rev. Nathan Dannison said giving Nadeem a place to stay was a step in following Jesus Christ.
“We are grateful for this development, and we continue to pray for Saheeda,” he said.
Catholic Lawyers Society to conduct Lenten Reflection
The Catholic Lawyers Society of Metropolitan Detroit will present a Lenten Reflection with Msgr. Ronald Browne (CLSMD spiritual advisor) on Ash Wednesday, February 17, with a 12:15 p.m. mass followed by reflection at Old St. Mary’s Greektown.
Attendees are asked to wear a mask as social distancing will be observed. The event is free but registration is requested. To register, email catholiclawyerssociety@gmail.com.
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
http://legalnews.com/subscriptions
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
http://www.legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
