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Safety
First Amendment Twist: Federal Judge Awards Local Hate Group $159K in Legal Fees
by P.D. Lesko
Note: Our family belonged to Congregation Beth Israel from 1992-2004. I served on the Board in the early-90s. When the protests by Witness for Peace began, we were members of the synagogue. We joined Temple Beth Emeth…
SafeHouse Center Sued for Allegedly Violating Michigan’s Freedom of Information and Open Meetings Acts
by P.D. Lesko
1/22/22: This article has been corrected to include a legal explanation as to why SafeHouse Center is allegedly subject to the Open Meetings Act.
The Ann Arbor Independent filed suit in Washtenaw County's 22nd Circuit…
U-M Reaches $490M Settlement with 1,050 Anderson Plaintiffs
The University of Michigan and attorneys for approximately 1,050 claimants who have alleged abuse by the late Dr. Robert Anderson announced they have reached a settlement agreement that would resolve all of those survivors’ claims against…
County Prosecutor Released Public Statement to Retaliate Against Victim for Speaking to Media
by P.D. Lesko
Note: The Ann Arbor Independent sent a request for comment and questions to the County Prosecutor, Victoria Burton-Harris and Christina Hines via email. Read that email here.
Sources inside and outside the Washtenaw…
Prosecutor Drops All Charges Against Jeffrey Dwayne Smith, $3M Bond Rescinded
Note: This article has been updated with comments from Carla Marable, Jeffrey Dwayne Smith's lawyer.
by P.D. Lesko
Jeffrey Dwayne Smith, 47, a resident of Flat Rock, Michigan and a graduate of Eastern Michigan University, was…
As Staff Repeatedly Refuse Shelter to Victims of Domestic/Sexual Violence, SafeHouse Center Holds Fundraiser
by P.D. Lesko
There are public calls for the Board members to step down. The Executive Director is on administrative leave. The non-profit facility, in photos and videos taken by residents, staff and interns, has been shown to be unsafe…
Judge Cedric Simpson Refuses to Rescind $3M Bond For Alleged Kidnapper and Rapist Jeffrey Dwayne Smith
by P.D. Lesko
On Sept. 19, Jeffrey Dwayne Smith, 47, of Flatrock, Michigan, was arraigned in 14A-1 District Court before Magistrate Elisha A. Fink. Smith was charged with one count of sexual assault, as well as two counts of domestic…
Alleged Assailant of Survivor Evicted by SafeHouse Jailed on $3M Cash Surety Bond
by P.D. Lesko
Jeffrey Dwayne Smith. Photo | The Ann Arbor Independent
On Sept. 19, Jeffrey Dwayne Smith, 47, of Flatrock, Michigan, was arraigned in 14A-1 District Court before Magistrate Elisha A. Fink. Smith was charged with one…
Domestic violence 911 Calls Increased During Lockdown, but Official Police Reports and Arrests Declined
by Jillian Carr
COVID-19 stay-at-home orders surely saved many lives, but a growing number of studies document that lockdowns led to more reports of domestic violence.
Even as 911 calls for police help increased, official…
What It Would Mean to End Qualified Immunity for Police and Other Public Employees
by Jared Wadley
An interview with Michael J. Steinberg, UM professor from practice and director of the Civil Rights Litigation Initiative at the University of Michigan Law School.
Police reform efforts nationwide have sparked debate…