The Attorney General's office, under Dana Nessel, has ceased pursuing criminal prosecutions related to the #Flint water crisis after the #Michigan Supreme Court rejected efforts to reinstate charges against former Governor Rick Snyder and other officials. This decision comes after a seven-year endeavor that yielded no convictions. Chief Deputy Attorney General Fadwa Hammoud and Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, leading the Flint prosecution team, declared the cases closed, promising a comprehensive report on their prosecutorial efforts in 2024. However, strict limits on evidence disclosure due to the use of a one-judge grand jury might constrain the information shared.
The prosecution faced setbacks due to procedural flaws rather than the merits of the case. Disappointment was expressed by the people of Flint, with concerns that justice and the victims' stories were not fully heard. The Flint water crisis saw no successful criminal convictions despite prosecutions initiated by former Attorney General Bill Schuette and continued under Nessel's tenure.
Snyder, relieved by the Supreme Court decision, pledged to combat future "political persecutions," advocating for officials with a "moral compass." However, critics, including Flint residents and experts involved in uncovering the crisis, expressed frustration and disgust at the handling of the cases, emphasizing the lack of accountability and justice for the affected community.
"Infuriated and disgusted" with the way the prosecution has unfolded over the past years, Melissa Mays argued the cases went sideways as soon as Nessel's office moved to dismiss prior charges by Schuette's appointed special prosecutor, Todd Flood, in 2019 in order to restart the investigation, despite concerns from residents about the dismissals.
"Decisions made about us in Flint without us always lead to disaster," said Mays Tuesday, before adding some harsh words for state leaders." As long as you're wealthy, White or a government official, accountability doesn't matter. There's no justice for people who don't look like them."
As long as marginalized communities bear the brunt of such failures, we must continue the fight for true justice, accountability, and a more equitable society. The struggle for justice in Flint is far from over, and we stand in solidarity with the community as they demand the justice they deserve. #FlintWaterCrisis #JusticeForFlint
Link: DetroitNews
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