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Updated: 7/23/2008 10:56:57 AM
Nathaniel Abraham bound over for trial
Nathaniel Abraham, who was 11 when he shot a man to death in Pontiac, was ordered this morning to stand trial on drug delivery charges.
Abraham, 22, was released from state juveline custody in January 2007 after reaching the age of 21, the mandatory release date for juveline offenders.
Today, 50th District Judge Michael Martinez ordered Abraham to stand trial on charges stemming from his May 30 arrest in Pontiac. According to police and prosecutors, Abraham had more than 250 Ecstasy pills.
He could face up to 20 years in prison on the drug charges.
Abraham avoided a lengthy prison sentence after being convicted of second-degree murder in the 1997 shooting death of Ronnie Greene Jr., 18, when a judge sentenced Abraham as a juvenile and not an adult.
— STEPHEN FRYE, Journal Register News Service


Michigan Chamber files complaint against measure
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan Chamber of Commerce has filed a campaign finance complaint against organizers of a sweeping constitutional amendment that would cut the size of the Legislature and appellate courts.
The complaint announced Wednesday says Reform Michigan Government Now didn’t file a statement of organization with the secretary of state last year despite working on the ballot proposal in 2007.
A spokeswoman for Reform Michigan Government Now says the ballot proposal and campaign didn’t exist in 2007.
But the complaint alleges a recently uncovered PowerPoint presentation was created in November and that unions and Democrats conducted focus groups and polling more than a year ago.
The PowerPoint talks about changing the rules of Michigan politics to help Democrats.


Treasury secretary praises agreement on housing
WASHINGTON (AP) — Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson says agreement on a sweeping housing rescue bill will send a strong message to investors around the world and will be key to helping the nation turn the corner on the housing crisis.
Paulson said Wednesday the bill had some “wasteful” provisions such as a $3.9 billion provision to provide federal help for homeowners facing foreclosure. But he adds he urged President Bush to drop his veto threat over this provision because of the other important elements in the bill.
Paulson tells reporters at the Treasury Department: “This is a very important message that we are sending to investors around the world.” He says it would play a key role in “turning the corner” on the housing crisis.

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