Michigan Court of Appeals

Two co-defendants in the Whitmer kidnapping plot, Pete Musico and Paul Bellar, had their convictions overturned by the Michigan Court of Appeals, citing the same legal reasoning as a prior ruling in Joseph Morrison's case. The court determined that kidnapping alone, without explicit use of force, cannot form the basis for terrorism-related charges under Michigan law. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced plans to appeal the decision.

The Michigan Supreme Court ruled that police cannot mislead suspects into waiving their right to an attorney, suppressing statements made after such violations. The decision in People v. Fenderson found Detroit police officers violated Miranda rights by implying a suspect needed money to hire counsel, leading to a 6-1 ruling in favor of the defendant. The case was remanded for further proceedings.

The Detroit school district lost a court appeal against the state, requiring it to seek voter approval for a ballot measure to collect operating tax revenue. The ruling upholds that Detroit Public Schools (DPS) cannot use operating tax funds to pay capital debt, forcing the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) to rely on state funding unless voters approve a shift in tax collection authority by 2027.

Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Mark Boonstra has not reported income from book sales or his Substack account on mandatory financial disclosure forms. Boonstra argues the forms do not require reporting such income, claiming it does not constitute 'compensation for services,' but a legal expert disputes this interpretation.

The Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) must seek voter approval for a ballot measure to collect operating tax revenue after a court upheld a ruling against its use for debt repayment. The Michigan Court of Appeals sided with the state, stating operating taxes cannot be used for nonoperating debt, forcing DPSCD to rely on state funding until a new tax collection arrangement is approved.

Hamtramck Mayor Adam Alharbi is calling for election reform after a 38th uncounted ballot from the November 2025 election was discovered in the City Clerk’s Office. The ballot was found opened in storage and sent to Wayne County officials, adding to a legal dispute over 37 previously uncounted absentee ballots in a contentious mayoral race. Alharbi and City Clerk Sami Elhady confirmed the discovery, with City Attorney Odey Meroueh stating the matter is under review by election authorities.

Neil Kalina, a former priest at St. Kieran Catholic Church, was convicted of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and sentenced to 7-15 years in prison. The Michigan Court of Appeals upheld his sentence after appeals, with his current incarceration at Cooper Street Correctional Facility.

The Michigan Court of Appeals overturned Joseph Morrison's conviction for his role in a plot to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer, ruling that kidnapping cannot form the basis for terrorism charges due to a 2006 law amendment. Democratic leaders, including Attorney General Dana Nessel, have vowed to appeal the decision, calling it legally flawed and dangerous.

A Michigan appeals court overturned the conviction of Joe Morrison for providing material support in a 2020 plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, ruling kidnapping does not qualify as a violent felony under state terrorism law. Morrison, who has served prison time since 2022, and two others were part of a paramilitary group linked to Adam Fox, a key figure in the case. The decision has sparked criticism from Michigan’s attorney general, who plans to appeal.

The Michigan Court of Appeals has thrown out the conviction of a man who was found guilty of a secondary role in a 2020 plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.