Michigan Supreme Court hears arguments in lawyer’s windfall
CHARLEVOIX, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan Supreme Court has heard arguments in a case involving a lawyer who with his sons inherited millions of dollars from a client.
Bobby Mardigian of Charlevoix County left $16 million to Mark Papazian, who prepared his will, and Papazian’s two sons.
The will is being challenged by Mardigian’s relatives, who received nothing. Attorney Paul Hudson told the Supreme Court on Tuesday that the gifts should be set aside.
Hudson says Papazian violated a rule of professional conduct by drafting the will and benefiting from it.
But Papazian’s lawyer urged the Supreme Court to apply a decision from a 1965 case. Under that precedent, Papazian would be given an opportunity to show there was no undue influence on his friend Mardigian.
High school lacrosse players get probation in guinea pig slaying
GROSSE ILE, Mich. (AP) — Two high school lacrosse players accused of killing a guinea pig for good luck before a game in suburban Detroit have been sentenced to probation.
Judge David Groner says the incident “shocked the conscience.” But he told the young men Wednesday that they have bright futures and won’t have criminal records if they stay out of trouble while on probation for a few years.
Michael Roth and Tanner Coolsaet played for Grosse Ile (EEL) High School last spring. Police say the guinea pig was stabbed and beaten with a bat off school property and thrown into the Detroit River. The players, now ages 18 and 19, were charged with killing an animal.
Coolsaet and Roth told the judge they made a mistake. A younger player was charged in Juvenile Court.
Woman faces prison after plea in disabled child’s neglect death
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan woman faces 20 to 40 years in prison under a plea agreement after authorities said her 16-year-old daughter, who was born with physical and mental disabilities, died of criminal neglect.
The Lansing State Journal reports 44-year-old Cari Ann Wright of Onondaga Township admitted in court Wednesday that she didn’t feed Hannah Warner for “a couple weeks” and that she didn’t try to get help.
Wright pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while mentally ill. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to drop charges of open murder and felony child abuse.
Medical examiners determined that Hannah died in November 2015 from neglect. The girl weighed only 43 pounds and her death was ruled a homicide.
Wright’s attorney, Brian Laxton, says it’s “a very, very sad case.” Sentencing is Feb. 15.
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