Daily Briefs

Man granted bond after 45 years in prison for 1971 murder


DETROIT (AP) — After 45 years in prison, a Detroit-area man will be released while prosecutors appeal a decision that granted him a new trial in a 1971 murder.

A judge says Richard Phillips can be released with an electronic tether. His lawyer said the 71-year-old was expected to leave a Wayne County jail on Thursday.

Phillips has long declared his innocence in the fatal shooting of Gregory Harris. He was convicted largely on the testimony of a trial witness who’s now dead.

Phillips’ big break occurred in 2014 when the Innocence Clinic at University of Michigan law school learned that another man said Phillips had absolutely no role.

The disclosure was made to the Michigan parole board. It was enough for a judge to throw out Phillips’ conviction in August.

 

Dog breeder convicted in animal neglect case
 

LIVONIA, Mich. (AP) — A Detroit-area woman whose home-based kennel drew complaints from neighbors for two decades has been convicted of animal neglect.

The Oakland Press of Pontiac reports a judge in Livonia this week found Mary Gabriel of Farmington Hills guilty of neglect and not guilty of charges of keeping unlicensed animals.

Farmington Hills officials say Gabriel, who breeds golden retrievers, kept as many as 49 dogs in her Chien d’Or kennel. She was ordered earlier this year to remove 16 remaining dogs from the house and relocated four to a friend’s home in Livonia.

Animal control officers in Livonia inspected the dogs’ living conditions, finding the animals matted with feces, infested with fleas and lacking adequate shelter. District Court Judge Sean Kavanagh rejected defense arguments that the dogs were well kept.

 

Former GM product guru Lutz to raise money for Colbeck
 

CANTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — Conservative gubernatorial candidate Patrick Colbeck has enlisted former General Motors vice chairman Bob Lutz to help raise money for his campaign.

Colbeck announced Thursday that Lutz will be finance chairman, a month after Lutz endorsed his candidacy. Lutz was GM’s product guru and had a long career at all three Detroit automakers.

Colbeck, a Republican state senator, says he’s “thrilled” someone of Lutz’s character will help “take our campaign to the next level.” He says the two worked together to help restore a portion of the former Willow Run Bomber Plant so it could become home to a museum.

As of October, Colbeck’s campaign had raised $157,000 but had just $13,000 on hand.

Other GOP candidates include Attorney General Bill Schuette, Lt. Gov. Brian Calley and Dr. Jim Hines.

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