MICHIGAN GOVERNOR-KIDNAPPING PLOT

COVID-19 delays trial in plot to abduct Mich. Gov. Whitmer

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — The trial of four men accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has been postponed until Thursday because an “essential” participant has tested positive for COVID-19. U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker hasn’t identified the infected person. Masks are optional in the courtroom. Adam Fox, Barry Croft Jr., Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta are charged with planning to kidnap Whitmer in retaliation for her tough policies during the early months of the pandemic. Undercover FBI agents and informants are expected to testify in the coming weeks, along with two co-conspirators who pleaded guilty prior to trial. Testimony began last Wednesday.

CHEMICAL ATTACK-CHARGES

Teen charged with homicide after chemical burns kill father

GROVELAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan teenager accused of burning her father by throwing chemicals on him last fall is facing a homicide charge following his recent death at a hospital. Eighteen-year-old Megan Joyce Imirowicz of Groveland Township was initially charged with one count of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and one count of domestic violence. But WDIV-TV reports she has been taken back into custody and charged with homicide following her father’s death this month. She is accused of creating a dangerous mixture containing drain cleaner last October and throwing it on her father, who suffered burns all over his body.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-DETROIT ARCHBISHOP

Detroit archbishop has Covid-19, reports mild symptoms

DETROIT (AP) — Detroit Archbishop Allen Vigneron says he has tested positive for COVID-19 and reports “very mild” symptoms. The 73-tear-old spiritual leader of 1.2 million Catholics in southeastern Michigan said on Twitter Monday that he was “fully vaccinated and boosted.” He offered “prayers for members of our community who have been affected by this virus _ particularly those who have died, suffered serious illness, or lost loved ones.” He said he also was praying ”for healthcare workers who continue to tirelessly offer their compassionate service and healing to those who need it.”

COURTROOM CLOSED

Closed courtroom spoils verdict in Flint murder trial

FLINT, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan Supreme Court has overturned a murder conviction in Genesee County. The court says a judge who closed his courtroom to the public violated the rights of a man who was on trial. The decision means a new trial for Donald Davis Jr., who is serving a life sentence. Judge Geoffrey Neithercut cleared the courtroom after a spectator attending Davis’ trial asked a juror during a break if she worked at Hurley Hospital. Neithercut later said his order was “poorly worded” and that he should have said “don’t come back today.” But the practical effect was that no one watched the trial over several days except for the mother of the shooting victim.

CAB DRIVER’S SLAYING-PAROLE

Man sentenced to life for cab driver’s killing seeks parole

FLINT, Mich. (AP) — A man who was 17 when he was convicted in the fatal 1981 shooting of a taxi driver in Flint is seeking parole with the help of a group that works to free adolescent offenders who have spent decades in prison. Carlos Jordan, now 57, is scheduled for a Thursday hearing before the Michigan Parole Board. He is serving a life sentence after being convicted in Genesee County of second-degree murder in the December 1981 killing of 25-year-old Stephen Warnemuende. The Flint Journal reports that Jordan is getting support from the Adolescent Redemption Project, which says on its website that he is a model prisoner.

CHURCH DAMAGED-ARREST

South Korean man charged with damaging Detroit-area church

ROYAL OAK, Mich. (AP) — A South Korean man is facing charges after officers allegedly found him ransacking a Detroit-area church last week. Authorities say officers were called to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Royal Oak last Tuesday night to investigate a report that a suspicious person was inside the church building. WDIV-TV reports that when officers arrived, they discovered a 30-year-old South Korean man throwing things around inside the church before he began dragging a damaged religious statue out of the church. The man has been been arraigned on one count each of breaking and entering, and malicious destruction of property over $1,000.

JUDGES-MISCONDUCT

Misconduct might affect ex-judges’ Michigan law licenses

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan Supreme Court is considering a way to keep the heat on judges who leave office before they can be removed for misconduct. The court is proposing a rule that would allow the Attorney Grievance Commission to pursue disciplinary proceedings for misconduct, even if a judge quits the bench. Judges have a law license. So any misconduct investigation could affect their ability to practice law when they’re out of office. The Supreme Court plans to hold a public hearing on the matter. The court is accepting public comment until July 1.

LANDFILL SETTLEMENT-MICHIGAN

State, landfill reach settlement over compliance issues

SALEM TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — The state has reached a settlement with a suburban Detroit landfill operator over compliance issues. Michigan’s Attorney General’s office says Arbor Hills Landfill in Salem Township is required to pay fines and the cost of emissions monitoring and measuring equipment as part of the settlement. The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy began receiving complaints in 2016 from nearby residents about odor coming from the landfill. The state filed a lawsuit in 2020 over compliance with state and federal regulations, and public nuisance issues. The state said an adequate collection and control system to capture gas generated from the landfill needed to be installed.