Recorder's reunion: Close-knit Detroit Recorder's Court group to gather April 29

By Jo Mathis Legal News When the Detroit Recorder's Court was abolished in 1997, it was one of the country's largest, busiest and oldest courts of record. It was also much like a family. That's why a big crowd is expected for the Recorder's Court reunion dinner on Friday, April 29 at the MGM Grand Detroit Casino. "It was such a close-knit group, it's like no time has passed when we get together," said Debbie Powell, who has worked in the human resources department since 1978, a position she continues at the Wayne County (Third Judicial) Circuit Court. "I love seeing all the people I used to work with. It was quite a family." John Stovall retired as chief deputy court administrator of the court in 1998, a year after he'd gotten the disturbing news that the court would be abolished and consolidated with the circuit court. "I did not think (the merger) was a good idea then, and it turns out that many agree with me," said Stovall, who believes that merging criminal and civil courts has created a less efficient system. With roots dating back to 1824, the Recorder's Court had jurisdiction over all felony cases committed in the city of Detroit, as well as traffic and ordinance matters. In 1925, the court was the site of the trial of Ossian Sweet, a black physician who bought a house in an all-white eastside neighborhood. After a mob gathered outside his new home for a second straight night, and rocks were thrown at the house, shots were fired from the Sweet house that left a neighbor dead. When Sweet, his wife, two brothers, and seven friends were charged with murder, Clarence Darrow came to their defense, facing an all-white jury. The first jury was hung. The second jury acquitted Sweet's brother, the only one charged at that point. Presiding over the trial was Frank Murphy, who would go on to become mayor of Detroit, governor of Michigan, U.S. Attorney General and a justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Much later, the Recorder's Court, located in the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice at St. Antoine and Gratiot, became noted for its state-of-the-art technology. A 1972 federal grant funded an extensive computer system, and by the mid 80's, Recorder's Court was nationally recognized as one of the most computerized courts in the nation. IBM asked Stovall to speak about the system at its conventions, and court representatives from around the world came to Detroit to learn how it was done. The 1996 public act that abolished the court was controversial. Former Chief Judge Samuel Gardner (who presided from 1977 to 1987) said at the time: "We went from the bottom to the top; we had tough prosecutors and good lawyers. That bar was sharp. One thing about Recorder's, that court was never boring." Friday's dinner is the third reunion of employees, family, and friends of Recorder's Court. The cost of the buffet is $33, payable at the door. To reserve a seat in the private dining room, reservations are required by April 25. To make a reservation, email rccasinodinner@comcast.net or call 313-320-0524. Published: Fri, Apr 22, 2011

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