Oral Argument This Week on Oakland County CSC Conviction Reversal

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The Michigan Supreme Court continues its weekly oral argument schedule on November 4, 2009. The Court hears arguments in the appeal of People v Redd on Wednesday morning.

Defendant Anthony Marion Redd was accused of having sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl. An Oakland County jury convicted him of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. However, the trial court, Honorable Rudy Nichols, granted the defendant’s motion for a new trial because the prosecutor obtained extensive testimony from a police detective that the defendant failed to answer certain accusations about the assault and suddenly left an interview. The Michigan Court of Appeals reversed the trial court and reinstated the conviction.

The Michigan Supreme Court is asked to decide three issues on appeal:

1.Did the trial court abuse its discretion when it granted the defendant a new trial?
2.Did the trial court err in admitting the police detective’s testimony?
3.Did the defendant waive any error when his attorney expressed satisfaction with the trial court’s instructions to the jury?

Court sessions will be held on the sixth floor of the Michigan Hall of Justice in Lansing. Oral arguments begin at 9:30 a.m. The Court’s oral arguments are open to the public. Cyril Hall, Pontiac, Michigan, represents the Appellee and Danielle Walton from the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office will argue for the prosecution.

Videos of Michigan Supreme Court oral arguments are also available online. Hearings will be recorded at the Hall of Justice, and posted on the State Bar of Michigan’s “Virtual Court” web page within 24 to 48 hours.

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