High court to take up campaign finance case
TRAVERSE CITY (AP) — The Michigan Supreme Court has agreed to decide whether county prosecutors can investigate violations of state campaign-finance law.
The Grand Traverse County prosecutor wants to investigate Meijer Inc.’s financial role in a 2007 effort to recall elected officials who objected to a store in Acme Township.
More than two years ago, Grand Rapids-based Meijer agreed to a $190,000 civil settlement with the state for its actions in the recall effort and a 2005 election on big-box stores in Acme.
The question for the court is whether prosecutor Alan Schneider has the authority to investigate campaign misdemeanors. The court also could consider whether the 2008 settlement closes the case.
The state appeals court ruled in the prosecutor’s favor last year.
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Jury picked for Detroit death penalty case
DETROIT (AP) — A jury has been selected in Detroit for a trial that could lead to a rare death sentence.
Timothy O’Reilly is charged with killing a man during a 2001 bank robbery in Dearborn. Opening trial statements are scheduled for Monday.
After spending much of June interviewing possible jurors, lawyers and U.S. District Court Judge Victoria Roberts settled on 16 people Tuesday, including alternates.
Norman Stephens was fatally shot while delivering cash to Dearborn Federal Credit Union. Besides O’Reilly, two people still are awaiting trial and could face the death penalty if convicted.
Michigan doesn’t have the death penalty but prosecutors can pursue it in federal court.
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Bioterrorism charge in bite case thrown out
MOUNT CLEMENS (AP) — A judge has thrown out a felony charge under Michigan’s bioterrorism law against an HIV-positive Detroit-area man accused of biting his neighbor on the lip.
Judge Peter Maceroni issued the decision recently in Macomb County Circuit Court in Mount Clemens. It came at a hearing for Daniel Allen, 44, of Clinton Township.
Police say Allen bit Winfred Fernandis during an argument over a football that was thrown into Allen’s yard. Prosecutors say Allen used HIV as a weapon.
Allen says Fernandis started the fight.
Maceroni dismissed the bioterrorism charge, leaving Allen to faces two felony assault charges.
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State legislature on break until July 21
LANSING (AP) — It should be fairly quiet at Michigan’s state Capitol for the next two weeks.
The state Legislature is on its summer break. The House and Senate aren’t scheduled to return to session until July 21.
Some lawmakers will be working on possible state budget solutions or in their home districts over the break. Lawmakers have approved a school aid budget for the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1, but they haven’t yet resolved a shortfall in the state’s general fund.
Some lawmakers will be on the campaign trail, seeking either re-election or a new office starting with the Aug. 3 primary.
All 110 seats in the House and 38 seats in the Senate are up for election this year.
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