BENTON HARBOR (AP) — The Michigan Supreme Court is looking at the conviction of a Benton Harbor activist who was accused of altering dates on petitions to recall a mayor.
The court will consider whether it was proper to allow evidence of Ed Pinkney’s history of activism in Benton Harbor, even if it wasn’t directly related to the crime. The court said last week it will hear arguments in the months ahead.
The 2014 recall election against James Hightower wasn’t held after local courts said the petitions were spoiled.
Hightower was Benton Harbor’s mayor at the time.
Pinkney testified that another person made illegal changes to the recall petitions. But investigators couldn’t find anyone with the name that was offered.
Pinkney was sentenced to 2½ years in prison and will be released in June.
