George James

Judge Recuses Himself From Protection Order Case

Circuit Court Judge Daniel Damman has recused himself from a protection order case involving Port Huron City Manager James Freed and Julian Ruck. Damman said he stepped aside after Freed briefly mentioned the case at a social event August 27th, wanting to avoid any appearance of impropriety, though he didn’t believe Freed tried to influence him. The hearing would have decided if Ruck violated Freed’s protection order by emailing him, following threats tied to a dispute over Ruck’s community garden, Polly’s Place. No new judge or hearing date has been set.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

GOP Picks Hornberger for House Seat

A Michigan judge, Cynthia Lane, has settled a legal battle over who could pick a replacement candidate for a vacant state House seat, ruling only 10 local Republican committee members — not all 92 — were eligible to vote, rejecting the party’s push for a larger pool. Hours later, those 10 members chose former state Representative Pam Hornberger, who won 6 of 10 votes, to run for the 63rd District seat this November, replacing Jay DeBoyer, who left to join the GOP governor’s ticket.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet