Detroit Evening Report, June 28, 2022: State did not act properly when it indicted officials in Flint water crisis, court rules
The Flint Water Plant water tower in Flint, Mich.
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The Michigan Supreme Court says the state did not act properly when it indicted several former officials in connection with the Flint water crisis. The court holds the state made a mistake using a “one-man grand jury” to issue the indictments. Last year a county judge indicted Michigan’s former director of Health and Human Services on charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the contamination that tainted Flint’s water supply. The judge served as a one-person grand jury, examining evidence and witnesses in secret. But while Michigan’s Supreme Court says a judge can issue subpoenas and arrest warrants — but not an indictment — and add that the process denied several former state officials of their right to a preliminary hearing. The attorney general wanted to proceed directly to a trial that could include former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder. Now the justices have sent the cases in question back to the county court for re-consideration.
Other headlines for June 28, 2022:
- COVID-19 cases rise in Michigan over the past week
- Detroit City Council postpones vote on Hudson’s site development project
- Michigan lawmakers approve $101 million deal to encourage large companies to create jobs in the state
- YMCA in Detroit is offering free swim lessons to children
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