Court of Appeals Chief Judge Murphy elected as treasurer of SCAO Council of Chief Judges
Court of Appeals Chief Judge William B. Murphy was recently elected to serve as the treasurer of the Council of Chief Judges of the State Courts of Appeal throughout the United States. This leadership position is the first on Judge Murphy’s path to being elected as the Council’s president within the next few years.
The Council of Chief Judges of the State Courts of Appeal was formed in 1980 when judicial leaders of state appellate courts around the nation recognized the need to have “a body for consultation” and education “concerning the improvement of the administration of justice, rules and methods of procedure, and the organization and operation of state intermediate appellate courts.”
Since its inception, the Council has served as a valuable source of assistance for its members and their courts, through annual educational conferences and ongoing committee work.
In addition to his recent election, Chief Judge Murphy was also asked to continue serving on the Council’s Executive Board Committee.
Former court employee gets $250K settlement
BAY CITY, Mich. (AP) — A former Bay County Friend of the Court employee who filed a federal lawsuit saying she was sexually harassed is getting a $250,000 settlement.
The Bay City Times reports it obtained details of the settlement involving Patricia McIver and her lawyer following a Freedom of Information Act request. The county and proceeds from the county’s insurance paid the settlement.
A gag order was issued in the case. U.S. District Judge Thomas L. Ludington last month dismissed McIver’s lawsuit due to the out-of-court settlement.
In her lawsuit, McIver said a former colleague persistently harassed her over several years. McIver began working for the Friend of the Court in 2005 and stopped working there in December 2010, saying she was unable to take the harassment any longer.
Mom accused of attempted murder OK to stand trial
BEULAH, Mich. (AP) — A state psychologist says a northern Michigan mother charged with attempted murder in the carbon monoxide poisoning of her autistic 14-year-old daughter is competent to stand trial.
Kelli Stapleton’s defense requested the review by the state forensic center. Defense lawyer Heidi Hodek tells the Traverse City Record-Eagle she didn't find the result surprising, based on her conversations with Stapleton.
A judge is to review the findings Thursday afternoon in Benzie County District Court in Beulah.
Stapleton and her daughter, Isabelle, were found unconscious Sept. 3 in the family's van in Blaine Township in what authorities described as an attempted murder-suicide.
The family lives in Elberta, west of Traverse City. Kelli Stapleton had chronicled in an online blog the challenges her family faced caring for Isabelle who has severe autism.
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