Conviction, sentence in recall upheld

BENTON HARBOR (AP) — The Michigan Court of Appeals has affirmed the conviction and 30-month prison sentence of an activist who was accused of altering dates on petitions to recall the Benton Harbor mayor.

In a recent 3-0 decision, the court found nothing to upset the results of Edward Pinkney’s trial in Berrien County.

Pinkney and other witnesses testified that another person made illegal changes to the petitions. But investigators couldn’t find anyone with the name that was offered.

The 2014 recall election against James Hightower was never held after courts intervened.

He was Benton Harbor’s mayor at the time.