Steve Carmody / Michigan Radio
There is a question whether the state’s case against former Gov. Rick Snyder will be able to move forward before the judge currently assigned the case.
The former governor is charged with two counts of Willful Neglect of Duty related to his handling of the Flint Water Crisis.
But during a brief court hearing Tuesday morning, District Court Judge William Crawford II delayed arguments until next month on a pair of defense motions to dismiss the misdemeanor counts against Snyder.
Credit File photo
The judge wants to give both sides time to argue whether he’s the right judge to hear the case.
Under state law, Genesee County Circuit Judge David J. Newblatt a Democratic appointee was authorized to issue subpoenas, grant immunity to witnesses and pursue investigative leads of his own choosing before deciding whether to indict.
But no one – including the judge, prosecutors or witnesses – is allowed to talk about the proceedings because doing so would itself be a crime.
The process “wasn’t fair at all,” said John Truscott, a Republican consultant and ally of former Snyder Health Director Nick Lyon, who is again fighting charges of involuntary manslaughter over Legionnaires Disease deaths in Genesee county.
“Under a one-man grand jury, the judge doesn’t get the total picture because the defense is not allowed to present,” Truscott said.