Courtroom arrest on day of trial won't spoil crash lawsuit

DETROIT (AP) — Leon Johnson didn't get his day in court in a car insurance dispute. He was arrested for unrelated matters when he arrived for trial.

The Michigan appeals court now is granting Johnson a second chance, saying a Wayne County judge abused his authority when he dismissed the lawsuit.

Judge John Murphy told Johnson that he had "ample time to get his affairs in order" so he would be available for trial. Johnson's lawyer argued that the trial still could start without him, but the judge wasn't moved.

The appeals court says Murphy had other options. The court says it was "profoundly unjust" for Johnson to have his case dismissed.

Johnson is seeking insurance benefits for injuries from a car crash.