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Crime
Ann Arbor Restauranteur Sava Lelcaj Farah Attacked by Knife-Wielding Man in Downtown Ann Arbor
by P.D. Lesko
On Oct. 25, a knife-wielding man allegedly attacked long-time downtown restauranteur Sava Lelcaj Farah near Sava, her restaurant on State Street in Ann Arbor. According to an email sent by William Farah (Sava's husband) to…
Public Records Suggest County Commissioners Defrauded the Federal Government By Awarding $1.2M Grant to Supreme Felons, Inc.
by P.D. Lesko
Public records, including from the State of Michigan's Business Licensing Bureau (LARA), the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, the Michigan Dept. of Education, comments from superintendents of the Ypsilanti Public Schools and…
Assaulted, Part 1: The AAPD & County Prosecutor
by P.D. Lesko
A search at Crimemapping.com shows that assaults/assaults and battery (misdemeanor and felony) are one of the most frequent crimes reported in Ann Arbor. The assaults reported included intimidation, stalking, use of a…
Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Deputy to be Sentenced in May for Using Neck Hold on Inmate
In August 2021, a Washtenaw County deputy headed to trial in connection with an assault involving an inmate last summer.
According to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, Cpl. Christopher Ellul was arraigned on an assault…
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Prosecutor Drops All Charges Against Jeffrey Dwayne Smith, $3M Bond Rescinded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…