Man charged in Mich. eco-protest says that the case is too old

MESICK, Mich. (AP) -- A Detroit-area man accused of damaging logging equipment in an environmental protest wants the charges dismissed, saying his rights are being violated because the incident happened more than a decade ago. Jesse Waters is accused of setting fire to logging equipment and a flatbed trailer near Mesick in Wexford County in late 1999 or early 2000. Waters' attorney says it's hard to build a defense because the years have eroded his client's memory of that period. John Royal also says it's hard to find people who knew the St. Clair Shores man back then and could help. Prosecutors haven't responded yet. The case is in federal court in Grand Rapids. Environmental activists Frank Ambrose and Marie Mason have admitted roles in the Mesick incident. They're in prison. Published: Tue, Sep 13, 2011