Daily Briefs . . .

Court says lawyer’s brief absence doesn't merit a retrial

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court says a Michigan man convicted of murder and armed robbery does not deserve a new trial even though his lawyer was absent for 10 minutes during the original trial.

The justices ruled Monday in favor of Michigan officials who want to stop a new trial for Cory Donald, one of three defendants convicted in the 2005 shooting death of Mohamed Makki.

Michigan state courts rejected Donald's claim that his lawyer was ineffective. But a federal court ruled that the absence occurred at a critical stage during testimony that implicated his co-defendants. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed.

In an unsigned opinion, the Supreme Court said there was no harm to Donald since the testimony was irrelevant to his theory of the case.

 

Man gets life after 3rd trial for strangling deputy’s sister
 

FLINT, Mich. (AP) — A Flint man has been sentenced to the mandatory penalty of life in prison without parole for strangling the sister of a Genesee County sheriff’s deputy.

A Genesee County Circuit Court Jury on March 5 found 30-year-old Lorenzo Relerford Jr. guilty of first-degree felony murder in the 2011 death of 47-year-old Jeanne Hank of Grand Blanc.

Relerford stared at the floor Monday as Hank’s sister Tori Hank praised the jury for convicting him. Judge Archie Hayman then issued the sentence.
In 2012, a jury convicted Relerford of first-degree murder. But the Michigan appeals court in 2013 court threw out the conviction, saying his rights were violated when the jury saw his leg shackles.

A second trial ended last year in a mistrial after jurors couldn’t reach a verdict.

 

Pro bono legal day planned by IABAM
 

The Italian American Bar Association of Michigan will host a Pro Bono Day on Wednesday, May 20.

“Volunteer attorneys for the IABAM will be available at no charge to provide general guidance on a broad range of topics, including immigration, family law, real estate, general business, and employment law,” said Mark Aiello, secretary of the IABAM.

The event will be held at the Italian American Cultural Society (IACS) from 6-8 p.m., and is “intended to promote legal education and fulfill this organization’s general commitment to the community,” according to Aiello. The IACS is located at 43843 Romeo Plank Road in Clinton Township.

For more information, visit www.iabam.com.

 

Holiday Hours


The 36th District Court will be closed on Friday, April 3 in observance of Good Friday.  The court will reopen Monday, April 6.
 

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