New sentence ordered in case of Detroit firefighter’s death
DETROIT (AP) — A man convicted of arranging an arson that killed a Detroit firefighter has been sentenced three times since the 2008 crime.
Twelve years and two judges later, the trial court still hasn’t been able to get it right, the Michigan appeals court said.
Mario Willis was convicted of second-degree murder after being charged with paying a handyman $20 to burn down an abandoned house. The roof collapsed on firefighter Walt Harris while he was fighting the fire, killing him.
The appeals court last week acknowledged the “tragedy” but returned Willis’ case to Wayne County Judge Margaret Van Houten. The court said she had failed to adequately explain why he deserved a minimum prison sentence of 37 years.
Van Houten exceeded the guidelines, which would put the minimum sentence anywhere from about 19 years to 31 years. A prisoner is eligible for parole review after the minimum sentence.
The appeals court noted that Willis, now 38, has had “exemplary behavior” behind bars.
“A defendant’s behavior in prison since his prior sentencing is a proper consideration on resentencing,” the court said.
Appeal rejected in lawsuit over school tutor’s abuse of boy
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan Supreme Court has turned down an appeal from a young man who accused the Grand Rapids Catholic Diocese of negligence for failing to prevent a sexual relationship with a high school tutor.
It wasn’t unanimous. Three justices — Bridget McCormack, Richard Bernstein and Megan Cavanagh — said Friday they wanted to hear the case.
The state appeals court in 2018 agreed with a Kent County judge who had dismissed a lawsuit against the diocese and school officials. They said they were unaware of the relationship between Abigail Simon and a teenager at Catholic Central High School in 2013.
There were concerns, however, among staff about how Simon publicly acted with boys at Catholic Central and West Catholic high schools.
Simon, now 40, is serving an eight-year sentence for first-degree criminal sexual conduct.
Cavanagh said she wanted the Supreme Court to consider whether Simon’s public behavior could have been seen as sufficient “to put the diocese on notice that she posed a threat of criminal conduct to a specific victim or victims.”
Butzel Long hosts free webinar on April 22
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) is rolling out payments and advances to healthcare providers to assist them with covering their costs and obtaining necessary resources related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Attorneys from Butzel Long law firm’s Health Care Industry Team are hosting a free informational webinar from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, 2020.
Participants will learn the latest on how healthcare providers can obtain these funds, and what they have to do in order to qualify and stay eligible. To register, visit www.butzel.com/events.
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