Daily Briefs

 Man convicted of all counts in slayings 

PORT HURON, Mich. (AP) — A paroled ex-convict accused of rape, torture and murder in the deaths of a Michigan couple has been convicted of all charges.

The Times Herald of Port Huron reports  jurors on Wednesday found 32-year-old Manuel Gamez guilty of two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of torture and one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.
Defense lawyer Edward Marshall argued there was little physical evidence to link Gamez to the crime.
 
The Port Huron man's trial lasted about two weeks. Officers found the bodies of 29-year-old Daniel McRoberts and 26-year-old Melissa Ichenberg on July 30, 2013, at Gratiot Village apartments. Authorities say McRoberts was stabbed more than 40 times and Ichenberg was strangled.

Sentencing is scheduled Sept. 17. Gamez faces a mandatory term of life in prison without parole.
 

Pilot program teams Rocket Lawyer with ABA to help attorneys

The American Bar Association and Rocket Lawyer recently announced they are teaming up to explore innovative solutions to a vexing legal paradox – the difficulty small businesses face finding affordable legal services at a time when many lawyers would welcome expanded professional opportunities.
 
Through a pilot program, the nation’s largest association of lawyers and the online legal services provider will collaborate to test new ways to empower lawyers to deliver affordable online legal services to small businesses and the self-employed. The pilot program will be designed to connect the ABA’s network of practicing lawyers to prospective clients through Rocket Lawyer’s cloud-based platform.

“The American Bar Association welcomes the opportunity to explore ways to expand legal services to those who need a lawyer’s counsel but are not currently being served for reasons ranging from affordability to ease of access,” said ABA President James R. Silkenat. “We look forward to working with Rocket Lawyer on this pilot program to identify ways for our members to serve more clients while remaining faithful to the legal profession’s high standards of ethics and professionalism.”

Rocket Lawyer Founder and CEO Charley Moore describes the agreement as a pioneering effort to democratize access to legal counsel using technology: “At its best, our legal system encourages innovation and facilitates progress. We applaud the American Bar Association for working with us to find new ways to expand legal representation from qualified attorneys through video and mobile technologies.”
 
Wayne Law Class of 1964 50th Reunion
Members from the Wayne University Law School class of 1964 will be gathering to celebrate their 50 year reunion on Sept. 12-14. Class Leadership Committee: Garry Carley, Joel Bussell, Elliott Hall, Barbara Klarman, Bernie Mindell and Paul Rosen. For more information visit the Wayne Law Alumni webpage.
 

––––––––––––––––––––
 Subscribe to the Legal News!
 http://legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available