Daily Briefs

Ex-Michigan prosecutor who paid for sex gets year in jail


LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A man who was accused of hiring prostitutes hundreds of times during his 20-year career as a Michigan prosecutor has been sentenced to a year in jail.

Stuart Dunnings III, who was the prosecutor for Ingham County, which includes the state capital of Lansing, pleaded guilty in August to misconduct in office and soliciting a prostitute in exchange for many other charges being dismissed. He was sentenced Tuesday.

His arrest earlier this year stemmed from a federal investigation into human trafficking.

Prosecutors say Dunnings paid women for sex over several years.

Dunnings said at Tuesday’s hearing that he has a sex addiction and that he “violated his oath” and “betrayed the trust” of his wife, family, colleagues and community. His attorney says Dunnings is being treated for that addiction.

 

Judge sets $1 million bond for Michigan man in wife’s death
 

PORT HURON, Mich. (AP) — A judge has set bond at $1 million for a Michigan man accused of killing his wife.

The Times Herald reported Monday that St. Clair County Judge Michael West also set a Jan. 12 trial for 39-year-old Douglas Ball Jr., who is charged with murder and torture in the death of his wife, 30-year-old Lydia Ball. Authorities said she was found struck 14 times in the head. Douglas Ball Jr. was arrested Aug. 21.

St. Clair County prosecutors argued high bond was necessary. They called Ball a flight risk. However, Ball’s defense attorney Sharon Parrish argued $1 million was unreasonable and instead requested a $50,000 bond. The judge agreed with prosecutors, who said Ball failed to report to court for prior offenses.

 

Former USA Gymnastics doctor arraigned on sex charges
 

MASON, Mich. (AP) — A former USA Gymnastics team doctor pleaded not guilty Tuesday to three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in his Michigan home with a girl under 13.

Larry Nassar of Holt in suburban Lansing, who was arrested Monday while running an errand at a local tire store, was arraigned by video from jail. The alleged assaults against the girl occurred between 1998 and 2005, from the age of 6 until she was 12.

Magistrate Mark Blumer, who set bond at $1 million, said the allegations are not related to Nassar’s time as a gymnastics doctor.

A preliminary exam is scheduled for Dec. 15.

The 53-year-old has been under scrutiny since two gymnasts, including a member of the 2000 U.S. women’s Olympic team, accused him of sexual abuse during what were supposed to be medical treatments.
Nassar was fired in September by Michigan State, where he was a faculty member.

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