FLINT, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The recent dismissal of criminal charges in the Flint water crisis in Michigan is being framed as a matter of privilege by prosecutors.
Felony charges against seven former government officials, including former members of Gov. Rick Snyder’s cabinet, were dismissed by Genesee Circuit Court Judge Elizabeth A. Kelly on Tuesday who said the charges were invalid.
MORE NEWS: Former High School Soccer Ref Faces Assault Charges After Alleged Scuffle with Teen Player
The ruling, released in a written order, comes on the heels of the Michigan Supreme Court’s June decision that said prosecutors didn’t have the authority to use a one-man grand jury to issue indictments. The prosecutors argue the decision by saying, “That same tool has been used and was historically upheld by the appellate courts in various
jurisdictions in Michigan to bring charges against defendants of often-limited means.
However, it was not until its use in this case against these privileged and well-funded defendants that the courts did see fit to overturn established precedent and procedure.”
The Flint water crisis lawsuit was in response to thousands of Flint residents being exposed to dangerous levels of lead from Flint’s water supply starting in 2014. Twelve people died and many more were sickened.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, Solicitor General Fadwa Hammoud and the Flint Water Prosecution Team released their statement on Tuesday in their response to the dismissal, saying they will “exhaust all available legal options to pursue this case.”
Because the case was not dismissed with prejudice, Michigan prosecutors could file the charges again. Kelly wrote in the order, “If the People seek future charges against Defendants, they must follow one of the proper charging procedures outlined by the Supreme Court.”
The prosecutors accuse the dismissal as being a matter of well-connected and wealthy defendants winning the day. They say, “Despite the prosecution’s tireless pursuit of justice for the victims of the water crisis, the courts have once again sided in favor of well-connected, wealthy individuals with political power and influence instead of the families and children of Flint” and calls the defendants “privileged.”
MORE NEWS: Firearm Deer Season Takes Aim in Michigan Today
They continue to say that the defendants spared no expense to “ensure that these cases were disposed of by judges based upon anything except the merits of the case.”
The prosecutors proclaim “anger” and “disappointment” that the court thwarted the case due to a bad interpretation of the law and process – even though court cases are always about process, otherwise attorneys wouldn’t be involved.
