Daily Briefs

Woman gets 25-50 years in prison for landlord’s 2007 slaying


GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — A woman convicted of killing her landlord in 2007 in western Michigan and burning the body has been sentenced to 25-50 years in prison.

Fifty-six-year-old Robin Root learned her punishment Wednesday after being convicted of second-degree murder in the death of 60-year-old Janna Kelly.

DNA linked Root to the killing in 2015. She earlier was convicted of first-degree murder, but an appeals court ordered a new trial because she wasn’t read Miranda rights.

Root owed $2,900 in back rent. She allegedly strangled Kelly during a December 2007 argument. Authorities say Root put duct tape on Kelly’s mouth, arms and legs while she was unconscious, then put her body in a car trunk and left her to freeze. She burned Kelly’s body in a field, where it was found months later.

 

Challenge to young voter restriction dropped before election
 

PORT HURON, Mich. (AP) — Lawyers for Michigan college Democrats have dropped their bid to challenge voting rules before the Nov. 6 election.

A court hearing scheduled for Friday was scratched after a request for an injunction was dropped. Young Democrats still are challenging a law that requires voters to vote in person in their first election if they registered by mail.

They say the restriction prevents students from voting in college towns and discourages them from participating. Their home might be hours away from college.

Port Huron federal Judge Robert Cleland had pledged to make a decision as quickly as possible, but it’s no longer necessary. The case now is on hold until Jan. 9 when the judge meets with lawyers for students and the secretary of state.

 

SBM: ‘Tips and Tools for a Successful Practice’ Seminar


Join colleagues from the State Bar of Michigan for the semi-annual seminar titled “Tips and Tools for a Successful Practice” from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, November 1 at State Bar of Michigan, 306 Townsend St. in Lansing.

The seminar features presentations on how to maintain mutually beneficial client relationships, draft effective fee agreements, manage lawyer trust accounts, analyze ethical issues, and use innovative techniques and technology for effective law office management. The seminar is an excellent opportunity for solo practitioners and new lawyers to obtain ethical guidance and practical information from colleagues who have successfully implemented law office management techniques and utilized economically-priced technology to improve the efficiency of their law practices.

The cost is $100 for attorneys licensed to practice less than five years, including law students and unlicensed graduates; and $125 for attorneys licensed to practice five years or more. Register online or by mailing or faxing the form before October 30. For more information contact Karen Spohn with the Professional Standards Division at (517) 346-6309 or kspohn@michbar.org.

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