MISTRIAL

Assault & Battery / Larceny – Montcalm County: Client was charged with assault and larceny related to a neighborhood dispute. During the trial, it became apparent that the witnesses for the government had been conspiring — unknown to the prosecutor — to coordinate their testimony in an attempt to convict our client. Attorney Joshua Blanchard brought this violation of the court’s sequestration order to the trial judge’s attention. After examining several of the witnesses under oath, Mr. Blanchard moved for a mistrial, which was granted. Following the mistrial, the prosecutor decided to do the right thing and not re-try our client.