Secret grand jury helped prosecutors beat statute of limitations deadline in Flint water case
Updated Jan 21, 2021;
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Most felonies and misdemeanors carry a six-year deadline for filing charges in Michigan.
The deadly decision to switch Flint’s water source from the Detroit River to the Flint River occurred on April 25, 2014. Some speculated that if charges didn’t come before April 25, 2020, it would be too late.
“April 25, 2014, is a significant date in the history of the Flint water crisis. However, we want to correct the misconception that April 25, 2020 is the deadline to bring charges against those who may be criminally liable,” said Michigan Solicitor General Fadwa Hammoud and Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, who are leading the Flint water investigation, in an April 2020 joint statement. “Criminal statutes of limitations vary depending on the offense and the date of the alleged criminal act.”
Judge Elizabeth Kelly to preside over the most serious Flint water cases
Updated Jan 18, 2021;
Posted Jan 18, 2021
Genesee County Circuit Judge Elizabeth A. Kelly delivers one of four sentences for four men on Monday, May 6, 2019 at Genesee County Circuit Court in downtown Flint, in connection with the July 2017 shooting death of Ballard in his Flint home in the College Cultural neighborhood. (Jake May | MLive.com) Jake May | MLive.com
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FLINT, MI Genesee Circuit Court Judge Elizabeth A. Kelly is assigned to preside over seven felony prosecutions related to the Flint water crisis.
Chief Circuit Judge Duncan Beagle made the assignment, which was entered into court records Thursday, Jan. 14, the same day nine indictments were announced and seven defendants facing felonies were arraigned before Kelly.
Credit WNEM-TV
Rich Baird, a former top advisor to Republican Governor Rick Snyder, has resigned his post as a regent of Eastern Michigan University, after being charged with four felonies by state prosecutors for his role in the Flint water crisis.
Baird is accused of perjury in an interview during the investigation into the crisis, extortion, for allegedly threatening investigators looking into the cause of a Legionnaires disease outbreak during the crisis, obstruction of justice for allegedly attempting to influence and/or interfere with ongoing legal proceedings arising from the Flint water crisis; and misconduct in office, for improperly using state personnel and resources.
By JOE GUILLEN, CHRISTINE MACDONALD AND JENNIFER DIXON | Detroit Free Press | Published: January 14, 2021 DETROIT (Tribune News Service) Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder appeared in a Flint court Thursday morning and pleaded not guilty to two charges of willful neglect of duty as state prosecutors revealed indictments against nine defendants as a result of the Flint water crisis. Despite the lower-level charges compared with other defendants, the case against Snyder marked a significant moment in the state s political history. Snyder is the first Michigan governor or former governor to be charged with a crime for alleged conduct while in office. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel praised the high-profile prosecutions led by her office s Solicitor General Fadwa Hammoud as well as Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy. Nessel had said earlier that she had walled herself off from the criminal cases, turning her focus instead to ongoing civil cases related to the contamination of
Jan 15, 2021
FLINT, Mich. (AP) Here are the former Michigan and state-appointed officials charged in the Flint water crisis, titles at the time, and charges, allegations and maximum penalties they face if convicted:
– Gov. Rick Snyder: Two misdemeanor counts willful neglect of duty; failed to inquire into the performance, condition and administration of the public offices and officers he appointed and supervised; neglected his duty to protect citizens against disaster by failing to declare a state of emergency and/or disaster when he knew of a threat in Flint. 1 year and $1,000 fine each count.
– Director of Health and Human Services Nick Lyon: Nine felony counts involuntary manslaughter. Caused the deaths of John Snyder on June 30, 2015; Debra Kidd on August 2, 2015; Brian McHugh on July 5, 2015; Du Wayne Nelson on August 7, 2015; Nelda Hunt on July 22, 2015; Peter Derscha on Aug. 17, 2015; Thomas Mulcahy on Aug. 22, 2015; Arthur Percy on Aug. 31, 2015; Patricia Schaffer on