JACKSON (AP) — The Michigan Supreme Court has overturned the murder conviction of a man accused of killing his baby son, saying his rights were violated by a hostile judge who repeatedly asked questions at trial.
A judge can interrogate witnesses. But in a unanimous decision Thursday, the Supreme Court said Jackson County Judge John McBain appeared biased and likely influenced the jury, especially when he acted like a prosecutor while questioning a defense expert.
Adam Stevens was convicted of second-degree murder in the death of his 3-month-old son, who had head trauma in 2010. Stevens told jurors that he accidentally dropped Kian after tripping on a toy truck, although he had denied dropping the baby during interviews with police.
- Posted July 27, 2015
- Tweet This | Share on Facebook
Conviction overturned in baby's death

headlines Macomb
- Macomb County Meals on Wheels in urgent need of volunteers ahead of holiday season
- MDHHS hosting three, free virtual baby showers in November and December for new or expecting families
- MDHHS secures nearly 100 new juvenile justice placements through partnerships with local communities and providers
- MDHHS seeking proposals for student internship stipend program to enhance behavioral health workforce
- ABA webinar November 30 to explore the state of civil legal aid in America
headlines National
- Facing deadline, California debates way forward on bar exam
- ACLU and BigLaw firm use ‘Orange is the New Black’ in hashtag effort to promote NY jail reform
- Jury awards nearly $60M to former police officer for wrongful prosecution in sex assault case
- Court clerk staffers in New Orleans dig through landfill to find wrongly tossed court records
- Once-jailed county clerk asks Supreme Court to overturn right to same-sex marriage
- Person accused in machete attack among those with dropped charges amid defense lawyer work stoppage