Top court will hear case of man wrongly convicted, locked up
HILLSDALE (AP) — The Michigan Supreme Court has agreed to take the case of a man who spent 17 months in prison until authorities learned that he was wrongly convicted of failing to register as a sex offender.
Anthony Hart says his constitutional rights were violated by the state. It turned out that he wasn’t required to register after the Legislature changed the law in 2011 and excused some people who were prosecuted as juveniles.
Hart of Hillsdale County says no one at the state police removed his name or told him that he didn't have to register. He was arrested in 2014 for failing to verify his address.
In February, the state appeals court said Hart didn’t offer enough evidence to justify a constitutional violation of “deliberate indifference.”
New board to review cases of wrongful imprisonment
DETROIT (AP) — A new board will review wrongful imprisonment cases in Michigan.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel says the four-member board will study the complex cases and decide whether or not the person is entitled to compensation “for the harm they suffered.”
Nessel announced the board’s formation last week, setting up protocol for “thorough and systematic assessment” and “timely resolution.” Board appointees include career prosecutors, a former criminal defense attorney and a civil litigator.
Michigan is among dozens of states that provides money to people rebuilding their lives after being wrongly imprisoned. Compensation is calculated based on $50,000 for each year in prison.
Last month, Nessel approved a $1.3 million award under the Wrongful Imprisonment Compensation Act for a Michigan man exonerated in the 1985 arson-related slayings of his wife and daughters.
New Portland plastic policy begins today
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Starting today, businesses in Portland, Oregon, will not be allowed to give single-use plastic items unless you ask for them
KOIN reports the new policy includes plastic straws, stirrers, utensils and individually packaged condiments. It applies for dining in, takeout and delivery at restaurants, food carts, hotels, grocery stores, coffee shops, caterers and bars.
The City Council passed the ordinance in December to reduce plastic waste.
Businesses face fines up to $500 for violating the policy.
Authorities: Clerk forces suspected shoplifter to strip
SALEM, N.J. (AP) — Authorities say a store clerk at a New Jersey gas station pointed a gun at a suspected shoplifter and forced him to strip naked.
Amit Saraswat is charged with aggravated assault, making terroristic threats and two weapons charges. It’s not known if he’s retained an attorney.
The counts against him stem from an incident that occurred at the station in Salem.
Surveillance video shows Saraswat pointing an Airsoft gun at the man and forcing him to strip naked. Police say the man left the store unharmed but later returned to grab his clothes after he realized the clerk didn’t have a real gun.
Authorities haven’t charged the man or determined if he stole anything from the store.
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