6.500
Michigan Criminal Appeals

Mich. Sup. Ct. Refuses to Hear Lorinda Swain Appeal. Actual Innocence May be Irrelevant in Michigan.

Dec/27/10 11:38

On December 16, 2010, the Michigan Supreme Court refused to hear the Michigan Innocence Project’s appeal in the Lorinda Swain case. People v Swain, Supreme Court No. 141504. Justices Kelly, Cavanaugh, and Hathaway dissented. New evidence had convinced Calhoun Circuit Judge Conrad Sindt (a very conservative judge) to grant her a new trial based on ineffective assistance of counsel and newly discovered evidence. The Michigan Court of Appeals (Hoekstra, Saad, and Murray) reversed the conviction based on a procedural bar. Michigan law prohibits filing more than one 6.500 motion unless there is newly discovered evidence. The Court of Appeals ruled that such newly discovered evidence has to be evidence which the defense could not have located using due diligence. The Court implied that there was no actual innocence exception to this rule and that it is not a violation of the constitution to convict an actually innocent defendant. By a 4-3 vote, the Michigan Supreme Court refused to hear the appeal. Update: The Michigan Innocence Project has since moved for rehearing in the Supreme Court. Since Judge Davis voted with the majority, it is possible that they could pick up the vote of incoming Justice Mary Beth Kelly (not to be confused with co-Justice Marilyn Kelly).

Michigan Supreme Court Remands 6.500 for Actual Innocence Hearing

Dec/10/09 06:52
On December 2, 2009, the Michigan Supreme Court remanded a 6.500 motion to the trial court for a hearing on the Defendant’s actual innocence. People v Stockman, Supreme Court No. 138233. John David Stockman was convicted of sexually penetrating a six year old with a turkey baster. At trial, the state’s expert stated that this was not likely to have left physical injuries. The expert, however, was not totally familiar with a turkey baster and when shown a similar baster from by the defendant’s appellate attorney, changed his position and stated that it would have left an injury. The Supreme Court remanded the matter to the trial court to hold an evidentiary hearing and retained jurisdiction. The concurring opinion stated that if the complainant simply stated that the penetration wasn’t deep, the Court should affirm. Congratulations to Marcia McGowen of the State Appellate Defender’s Office (“SADO”) for this victory. Hopefully, the ruling holds after the remand.

Macomb Circuit Court Grants 6.500 Motion in a Shaken Baby Syndrome Child Abuse Case. Court Finds Child Might Have Died from a Stroke

Nov/21/09 01:55

On November 20, 2009, the Macomb Circuit Court (Judge Biernat) granted post-conviction relief in People v Julie Baumer, Macomb Circuit No. 2004-2096-FH based on the ineffective assistance of her trial and appellate counsel in failing to seek to have a defense radiologist appointed to counter the State’s expert radiologist in first degree child abuse prosecution involving allegations of non-accidental trauma (“shaken baby syndrome”) inflicted within 12-24 hours of the images. The State’s experts testified that the injuries were the result of an intentional and very significant blunt force trauma. Defense counsel was aware of the need of a radiologist testimony to counter the state’s evidence, but couldn’t afford to call one. The Court found that defense counsel should have petitioned the Court to appoint an expert under MCL 775.15. The Court also stated that Ms. Baumer may be actually innocent, but that the Court did not need to reach this issue. To read the Macomb County Daily’s coverage of the evidentiary hearing, click here.

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