Courts

Phillips bound over to circuit court; Judge Cooper overturns Judge Wadel’s ruling.

December 5, 2014
Phillips bound over to circuit court; Judge Cooper overturns Judge Wadel’s ruling.

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — The open murder case against Sean Michael Phillips will be bound over to circuit court. Judge Richard Cooper, 51st Circuit Court Judge, ruled in favor of an appeal, overturning 79th District Court Judge Pete Wadel’s earlier decision not to bind the case over. Phillips is charged with the 2011 death of his 4-month-old daughter…

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Prosecutor must prove Judge Wadel made wrong decision in Baby Kate murder case.

December 5, 2014
Prosecutor must prove Judge Wadel made wrong decision in Baby Kate murder case.

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — Arguments are being held right now in the 51st Circuit Court appeal case on the dismissed open murder charges against Sean Michael Phillips. In Oct. 2013, the Michigan attorney general’s office filed the charges against Phillips in relation to the June 29, 2012 disappearance of Phillips’ 4-month-old daughter, Katherine Phillips, also known as “Baby…

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Baby Kate murder charge appeal to be heard in court Friday.

December 4, 2014
Baby Kate murder charge appeal to be heard in court Friday.

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — The “Baby Kate” case will return to the Mason County Courthouse Friday afternoon when 51st Circuit Court Judge Richard Cooper will hear oral arguments about the Sept. 15 decision by 79th District Court Judge Peter Wadel to dismiss the open murder case against Sean Phillips. In Oct. 2013, Phillips, 25, formerly of Victory Township,…

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Coldwater man sentenced to jail for conduct with girls along PM River.

December 2, 2014
Coldwater man sentenced to jail for conduct with girls along PM River.

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — A Coldwater man will serve jail time for sexually assaulting two girls along the Pere Marquette River over Labor Day weekend. William Joseph Stempien, 43, appeared in 51st Circuit Court this afternoon and was sentenced to one year in jail, serving eight months up front on the charges of criminal sexual conduct fourth degree…

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Ludington man sentenced to jail for marijuana possession, parole violation

December 2, 2014
Ludington man sentenced to jail for marijuana possession, parole violation

LUDINGTON — A Ludington man will serve 10 months in the Mason County Jail for possessing marijuana and violating the terms of his parole. He may also face prison time for violating parole. Daniel John Horowski, 31, of 916 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington, was arrested Sept. 7 by Ludington Police Department in the parking lot behind the Alley Bar near…

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