Daily Briefs

Governor names Christopher Blount to 36th District Court


Gov. Rick Snyder on Monday announced the appointment of Christopher Blount to the 36th District Court in Detroit.

“Christopher is precisely the type of high energy individual who is committed to public service, the city of Detroit, and the state of Michigan who can thrive as judge of the 36th District Court,” Snyder said.

Blount is currently a solo practitioner in the Detroit area handling primarily criminal misdemeanor cases in the 36th District Court, along with felony defense, probate work and civil litigation cases. For a brief period he served in the Legal Aid of Detroit’s State Defender’s Office where he handled multiple trials while managing a busy docket. He began his career in private practice in 2007 specializing in misdemeanor and felony defense.

Blount is active in his community, volunteering with the Isaiah Literacy Program and the Mumford High School Alumni Association. He is a 2015 graduate of the New Leaders Council Detroit and is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Wolverine Bar Association, the Wayne County Criminal Defense Bar Association, and the Belle Isle Conservancy.

Blount earned his bachelor’s degree in 2003 and his law degree in 2006 from Wayne State University. In 2009, he earned a Master of Urban Planning from the Wayne State University Graduate School.

Blount fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Wanda Evans. He must seek election in November 2018 for a full term.

 

Witnesses testify about St. Joseph inmate’s botched escape attempt
 

ST. JOSEPH, Mich. (AP) — A Berrien County inmate kept hidden from sheriff’s deputies his plan to escape the courthouse that led to a deadly shooting spree in July, even though fellow inmates knew of the plan.

The Herald Palladium obtained statements this month from other inmates and witnesses to Larry Gordon’s shootings through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Records say Gordon wrestled a gun away from a court deputy July 11, whom he wounded, and killed two court officers before being fatally shot by other officers. A civilian Gordon held hostage was also wounded.

Gordon’s attorney Joseph Fletcher told detectives that Gordon was highly agitated before the shooting when learning he probably wouldn’t receive a light sentence on numerous felony charges in exchange for providing information on other crimes.

Multiple inmates testified that they knew Gordon was planning an escape.

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