‘Mob-ocracy’: Former Gov. Snyder’s Lawyers’ Case To Drop Charges

METRO DETROIT, MI — A Michigan judge will decide in about a week whether to dismiss two misdemeanor charges against former Gov. Rick Snyder for his handling of the Flint water crisis after Snyder’s legal team argued Tuesday they were filed in the wrong county.

In January, State Attorney General Dana Nessel announced sweeping indictments charging Snyder and eight others in his inner circle for their roles in the crisis, which stemmed from a 2014 switch in the city’s drinking water sources that went unaddressed for more than a year, exposing the city’s children to dangerous levels of lead and driving deep fissures in public trust.

Snyder was charged with two misdemeanor charges of willful neglect of duty. All nine have entered not guilty pleas.

Snyder’s lawyers argued the charges against the governor should have been filed in a court in Lansing, the state capital, rather than in Genesee County, where Flint is located, the Detroit Free Press reported.

“What the government is trying to do here is unprecedented,” Snyder attorney Brian Lennon argued “They want mob-ocracy. They don't want the rule of law." For the full story, go to the Detroit Free Press.

‘Genius: Aretha’ Premiere — But Should You Go?

National Geographic’s upcoming Aretha Franklin biopic, “Genius: Aretha” premiers Thursday, in a private screening at a drive-in theater that coincides with premiers in New York City, Atlanta and Pasadena, the Detroit Metro Times reported. A free public screening will be held Saturday on a first-come, first-served basis.

Franklin’s family has not endorsed the film, and her youngest son, Kecalf, asked the Queen of Soul’s fans not to support it. Read more on the Detroit Metro Times.

Metro Detroit Headlines

• Officer Cleared In Deadly Shooting: A Dearborn police officer “acted in lawful defense of a domestic violence victim” when he shot a 43-yearpold man last September, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office said Friday.
• Eatery’s License Suspended Over COVID Violations: State officials suspended a Plymouth Township eatery’s licenses and permits for coronavirus violations. Police said customers “were standing and not wearing face masks, and the people were not social distancing.”
• South African COVID-19 Variant In Michigan: A boy in Jackson has tested positive for the variant, found in 20 other U.S. states, and health officials are conducting contact tracing.
  

“It’s really a miracle … none of our officers were fired upon or had a weapon pointed at them.”

— Detroit Police Chief James Craig, speaking about increased violence toward police officers

SPORTS TALK: The Detroit Lions, looking for a wide receiver with Kenny Golloday headed to free agency, have the seventh pick in April’s NFL draft. The Lions can’t go wrong with Louisiana State University’s J’Marr Chase or the University of Alabama’s Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith, says NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah. Read more on the Detroit Free Press.

WEATHER IN A WORD: Springlike.

LET’S MAKE PLANS: 313 Day — that’s Saturday, March 13, for out-of-towners — events this year include a rap-and-roll concert by Cash Kidd Marc and Jaiswan Live at 2640 Vernor Highway, Detroit. Read more about it. Also on the calendar:

• Spread Goodness: The 4th Annual Spread Goodness Day on Friday isn’t an organized event sponsored by a specific organization, but a day set aside to spread goodness and illustrate the explosive power of one act of goodness to affect hundreds or perhaps millions of people. Read more about it.
• Snakes (And Other Reptiles) Alive: The largest selection of reptiles, Tarantulas and amphibians anywhere in Michigan will be assembled under one roof Saturday and Sunday at the Taylor Town Trade Center, 22525 Ecorse Road, Taylor. Read more about it.
• Sweet As Sugar: Learn more about maple sugar, how to tap trees and how to turn it into rich maple syrup over the next three Saturdays at Stony Creek Metropark, 4300 Main Park Road, Shelby Township. Read more about it.

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