The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners discussed the possibility of returning to in-person meetings after Tuesday’s virtual meeting was interrupted by internet trolls in a practice called “Zoombombing” or “Zoom raiding.” Unidentified persons briefly hurled racist and homophobic epithets at commissioners and those in attendance before Chairperson Dennis Allen temporarily stopped the meeting.
David Marvin
The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Tuesday approved two exceptions to the county’s hiring freeze to fill two positions in the St. Joseph Prosecutor’s Office.
Thomas Stambaugh, the perpetrator in the hit-and-run killing of Laura Jacobs in the Three Rivers Meijer parking lot last June, received his sentence Friday. During a hearing in St. Joseph County 45th Circuit Court, Stambaugh faced Judge Paul Stutesman and Chief Assistant Prosecutor Joshua Robare, represented by his attorney, David Marvin. Stutesman received a prison sentence after he pled guilty to the killing last month.
Nicholas Mastos, one of three codefendants in a home invasion that took place on South Constantine Street in Three Rivers in the early hours of July 19, has received his sentence. Last month, Mastos pled guilty to one count of first-degree home invasion as well as one count of attempted breaking and entering with intent to commit larceny, Mastos’ fourth such habitual offense.
Thomas Stambaugh pled guilty Monday in the St. Joseph County 45th Circuit Court Monday for the hit-and-run killing of Laura Jacobs on June 18, 2020, in the Three Rivers Meijer parking lot.
In the real world, recovery from addiction is often a lengthy and agonizing process, both for the addict and their loved ones. Recovery happens in fits and starts and repeated relapse is almost always part of the marathon road to sobriety. In fact, real world recovery looks less like that The Bold and the Beautiful storyline and more like the public trials being faced by St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough.
At a regular meeting of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Tuesday, commissioners approved the hire of two new employees for the Sheriff’s Department, making an exception to a current hiring freeze. They include a position in road patrol and one in the corrections department that is responsible for courthouse security.
At a regular meeting Tuesday, the Three Rivers City Commission approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding sewer service for the Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) dairy in Constantine.
The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners weighed Wednesday whether to send a letter to Governor Gretchen Whitmer regarding Prosecutor John McDonough’s status. McDonough has been on paid leave since being arrested in a May drunk driving incident for which he will soon stand trial.
In a 45th Circuit Court hearing Wednesday, Judge Paul Stutesman issued Mohammad Abuhaltam a prison sentence of 31 to 80 years with parole for the May 21 killing of James May, Sr. in Three Rivers.
Nicholas Mastos, one of three suspects in a home invasion that took place on South Constantine Street in Three Rivers in the early hours of July 19, pled guilty to two charges Monday, one unrelated to the invasion.
St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough has been arrested on a bond violation. Press Secretary Ryan Jarvi of the Michigan Attorney General’s office confirmed the arrest in a statement Monday.
In a hearing to determine whether certain evidence is admissible in court, 45th Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman ruled on Friday that the murder case against Wade Allen can go forward. However, because some parts of the events that led to the collection of that evidence are still constitutionally uncertain, Stutesman granted an immediate stay of any further proceedings to permit the defense attorney, David Marvin, an opportunity to apply to an appeals court.
In a hearing Friday, Mohammad Abuhaltam pled guilty to second degree murder in the death of 59-year-old James May, Sr., of Three Rivers.
St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough is uncertain about what he’ll do next after falling to challenger David Marvin in Tuesday’s primary election but the Three Rivers native expressed gratitude for his supporters, and admiration for his hometown in an interview with Watershed Voice this week.
With 100 percent of precincts in St. Joseph County reporting Tuesday evening, Republican David Marvin defeated embroiled incumbent John McDonough in the August 2020 primary election for the position of County Prosecuting Attorney. For more on that race and additional election results click through.
Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman heard arguments Wednesday on the admissibility of evidence during a motion hearing for Wade Allen of Sturgis, who is accused of the murder and dismemberment of Kelly-Jien Warner-Miller and has been in custody since last year. The hearing was ultimately continued to allow Stutesman to review materials and transcripts pertaining to the case before issuing a decision.