Daily Briefs

State Supreme Court might lift cap on campaign solicitations


LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Campaign committees set up by Michigan judicial candidates might be able to ask for more than $100 from lawyers.

The Michigan Supreme Court says it's considering whether to lift the $100 restriction. The court is accepting public comment on the proposal until Oct. 1.

Lawyers now can contribute more than $100 per judicial candidate, but they can't be solicited for more than $100.

The change would bring Michigan's Code of Judicial Conduct in line with policies in other states.

 

State Supreme Court appoints retired Wayne County judge as special master in JTC complaint
 

The Michigan Supreme Court on Thursday appointed retired Wayne County Circuit Court Judge William J. Giovan as a special master to conduct an evidentiary hearing on the Judicial Tenure Commission’s official complaint against Livingston County District Judge Theresa Brennan.

“The Court has the utmost confidence in Judge Giovan’s ability to handle this matter with fairness and expedition on behalf of the people of Livingston County and the people of Michigan,” said Chief Justice Stephen J. Markman.

During his 39-year judicial career, Giovan has served as chief judge of the Wayne County Circuit Court (2008-09), presiding judge of the Civil Division (2000-07), and chief judge pro tempore (2004-05). Giovan earned his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School.

 

Man who wrongfully served 41 years in jail to speak at WMU-Cooley
 

On the one-year anniversary of his exoneration, Friday, June 15, 2018, LeDura Watkins will discuss being freed from prison after wrongfully serving 41 years. The WMU-Cooley Innocence Project, which helped exonerate Watkins, will host a discussion: “Life After 41: An Intimate Conversation with LeDura Watkins.”

 Watkins, who was convicted of murder in 1976 in Detroit, Michigan, was released on June 15, 2017, after his conviction was vacated and the charge dismissed. The 62-year-old served 41 years and three months in prison—at that time the longest time spent incarcerated after conviction by any wrongfully convicted defendant prior to exoneration in the United States.

The discussion at WMU-Cooley’s Lansing campus is free and open for the public to attend.
Event will take place at noon.

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