Traverse City Record-Eagle

Michigan

June 30, 2012

Michigan in Brief: 06/30/2012

FROM WIRE REPORTS ----

Court won't stop Detroit man's release

DETROIT — The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to intervene in the release of a Detroit convicted killer who was granted bond after a judge said he deserved a new trial.

The court apparently gave it some close consideration Friday. A request to issue a stay in the case was defeated, 5-4, with conservative Justice Antonin Scalia joining four liberal justices.

The Michigan attorney general's office wants Dwayne Ballinger Jr. to remain in prison while it appeals a decision that set aside two murder convictions and life sentence.

State attorneys claim Ballinger was looking for witnesses who testified against him at his 2007 trial as soon as he returned home last week. Ballinger denies it. Federal Judge Arthur Tarnow declined to revoke his bond but said he must wear an electronic monitor.

Emergency managers dispute goes to court

LANSING — A group that supports Michigan's emergency manager law is asking the state Supreme Court to keep a referendum off the ballot.

Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility filed a request Friday. It asks the justices to overturn an appeals court ruling that would suspend the law and allow voters to decide if they want to keep it.

The appeals court said the question could go to voters, despite a defect with petitions used to gather signatures. It's not known when or if the Supreme Court will take the case.

The emergency manager law allows the governor to appoint people to run poor cities and school districts.

Managers have authority to cut spending, sell assets and tear up contracts. Critics say it's an assault on democracy because elected officials are powerless.

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