“She has committed a fraud upon the whole court system,” District Attorney Kirke Adams said of Brandy Murrah’s crime. “The worst part is for those who suffered because no one believed them — and she did not care.”
A former lab owner in Alabama has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being found guilty of falsifying the results of drug screenings, leading multiple families to lose custody of their children.
A judge handed down the sentence to the former owner of A & J Lab Collection owner Brandy Murrah in court last week after prosecutors said she collected lab samples from individuals and never forwarded them for testing, and instead falsified the results, local station WTVY reports.
The lab was regularly used to provide drug screening and paternity tests to the Dale County Department of Human Resources — and some of the false results received from Murrah’s lab cost parents custody of their children.
“She has committed a fraud upon the whole court system,” Kirke Adams, the district attorney for the 33rd Judicial Circuit District Court said, according to The Southeast Sun. “The worst part is for those who suffered because no one believed them—and she did not care.”
Authorities said it was impossible to know how many test results Murrah had falsified. An employee with the Dale County Department of Human Resources testified that she had no idea how many people may have lost custody of their children because of the fake reports.
The employee said the department used Murrah’s lab because she was available around the clock. The agency would tell her what specific drugs to look for as part of the testing.
Authorities believe Murrah may have falsified the testing records because she owed the labs that tested the samples money for previous testing services, and that those facilities may have failed to extend her additional credit, the local station reports.
Jennifer Severs testified in court that she had been in a custody battle with her ex-husband when Murrah collected hair follicle samples for drug screenings of the family, according to The Dothan Eagle.
The results showed that Severs had tested positive for using methamphetamine and marijuana, according to WTVY, although the mom was not using drugs. The results cost her to lose custody of her children.
Baffled at the results, Severs’ mother tracked down the doctor who had supposedly done the test from the paperwork and discovered that he had never tested the sample.
The family then took their findings to the Ozark Police Department, which launched the investigation into Murrah’s activities. Severs took additional tests processed by other labs, which came back negative, but she said it still took months to regain custody of her children. The experience has left long-lasting effects on the family, she said.
“This is a daily battle for me on who I can trust,” she said, according to the local paper. “This is a daily battle for my children.”
Grace Locke testified that she had been getting her life together after her two children were taken away from her due to her drug use in 2017. After going to rehab she had a third child, and hoped to reunite her family — but a drug test from Murrah’s lab showed that she tested positive for methamphetamine. Her three-month-old baby was taken from her custody for nearly three weeks.
“It was terrible,” Locke told the court. “I felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest because I knew I was doing right with this one. I knew I was doing right.”
While parents affected by the false test results testified about the pain it caused to their families, Murrah’s current employers at a janitorial company testified that she was a hard worker and dependable.
“Brandy cares a lot about people,” her employer said, according to The Southeast Sun. “She absolutely does care.”
Murrah agreed to plead guilty in September to a felony charge of perjury, as well as 16 misdemeanor counts of forgery.
In court last week, Murrah’s attorney David Harrison had argued that his client should be allowed to serve out her sentence in a community corrections program or on probation because of health issues he said would cost the system money.
“If she’s incarcerated, who does it help?” he asked, according to the paper. “At the end of the day, I understand this woman affected peoples’ lives, but she has pleaded guilty and it is a slap in the face to justice not to give her probation.”
Murrah also addressed the judge herself.
“I’ve done a lot of things wrong in my life…I’m sorry for anyone I ever hurt. I really did not do this intentionally to ever hurt anyone,” she said, according to The Dothan Eagle.
However, Adams argued that Murrah did not deserve any leniency in the case.
“She continues to blame everyone else,” he said.
The judge agreed, and Murrah was sentenced to 15 years in prison. She is also facing two civil suits in connection with the allegations, WTVY reports.
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Crime Lab Scandals Federal 2012 – FBI testimony on microscopic hair comparison found to be unreliable, starting a review of more than 21,000 cases handled …
Emails spell out alleged scandal in state crime lab testing …First uncovered by FOX 17 an alleged scandal in how state crime labs are testing and … of Information Act, these emails show debates on how the state’s crime labs … Komorn showed evidence in emails that MSP Forensic Science Division is …
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A law that will stop police searches centered on the smell of marijuana will take effect in March 2021.
Virginia Senate Bill 5029 states “no law-enforcement officer may lawfully stop, search, or seize any person, place, or thing solely on the basis of the odor of marijuana, and no evidence discovered or obtained as a result of such unlawful search or seizure shall be admissible in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding.”
The bill does allow for searches in an airport or if the violation happens in a commercial motor vehicle.
Read the entire bill here which contains more detailed information.
LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Whitmer signed the following bills into law. She also vetoed three bills which are outlined below.
House Bill 4851 amends the General Property Tax Act to make it easier for a disabled veteran or their unremarried surviving spouse to receive and keep a property tax exemption. It will also cut down on delayed exemptions. The bill modifies the definition of qualified error to include an issue beyond the control of a disabled veteran or his or her unremarried surviving spouse that caused a denial of an exemption. The bill was sponsored by Representative Michele Hoitenga, R-Manton.
House Bills 4926-4930 amends the Local Community Stabilization Authority Act to make technical changes and clarify personal property tax reimbursement calculations. House Bill 4926 was sponsored by Representative Lynn Afendoulis, R-Grand Rapids Township. House Bill 4927 was sponsored by Representative Hank Vaupel, R-Fowlerville. House Bill 4928 was sponsored by Representative Hank Michael Webber, R-Rochester Hills. House Bill 4929 was sponsored by Representative Tenisha Yancey, D-Harper Woods. House Bill 4930 was sponsored by Representative Karen Whitsett, D-Detroit.
House Bill 5289 amends the Public Health Code to prohibit the State Registrar from charging a fee for a search for a record of stillbirth. It also provides that 2 certified copies or authenticated copies of a record of stillbirth will be provided without a fee. The bill was sponsored by Representative Julie Alexander, R-Hanover.
House Bill 5334 amends the Michigan Memorial Highway Act to designate the portion of US-10 in Warren Township in Midland County in honor of Corporal Casey P. Zylman. Corporal Zylman grew up in Midland County and was a graduate of Coleman High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in July 2005 and was killed in May 25, 2007 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle while driving in Tallafar, Iraq. He was 22 years old. The highway will be known as the “Cpl. Casey P. Zylman Memorial Highway.” The bill was sponsored by Representative Roger Hauck, R-Beal City.
House Bill 5336 expands Michigan’s adoption of the Uniform Commercial Real Estate Receivership Act (henceforth the “Receivership Act”) to depart from the uniform system of rules. This bill would expand Michigan’s Receivership Act to apply to commercial personal property and fixtures in addition to the commercial real property to which it already applies. The bill was sponsored by Representative Brandt Iden, R-Oshtemo Township.
House Bill 5482 requires schools to print the number of a local, State, or national suicide prevention hotline on each student identification (ID) card provided to a pupil in grades 6 to 12. The bill also requires the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to develop or adopt model information materials regarding suicide prevention services, suicide, depression, and anxiety, and to provide the model information materials a school district, ISD, or PSA upon request. The bill was sponsored by Representative Andrea Schroeder, R-Independence Township.
House Bill 5490 and 5491 together amend the Michigan Marijuana Facilities Licensing Act and the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act to require the Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA) to extend the court-ordered receivership process to Michigan’s marijuana industry. The bills provide a state-level remedy for those in the marijuana industry that are unable to take advantage of federal bankruptcy courts. Under the new law, the MRA is required to promulgate rules and establish procedures for approving a receiver to operate a medical marijuana facility or a marijuana establishment. The bills were sponsored by Representative Brandt Iden, R-Oshtemo Township.
Senate Bill 132 amends the Michigan Memorial Highway Act to designate the portion of US-12 in Lenawee County in honor of Michigan State Trooper Rodger M. Adams. Trooper Adams was the twenty-fifth Michigan State Police officer to die in the line of duty when he was killed in an automobile crash while responding to an emergency. He was 26 years of age. The portion of highway US-12 in Lenawee County beginning at highway M-25 and continuing west to Monagan Highway will be known as the “Trooper Rodger M. Adams Memorial Highway”. The bill was sponsored by Senator Dale Zorn, R-Ida.
Senate Bill 321 amends the Michigan Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Act to include on the memorial the names of all of the following: each law enforcement officer and reserve law enforcement officer from Michigan who died in the line of duty; and each individual from Michigan who qualifies as an officer who died in the line of duty for purposes of inclusion on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. The bill was sponsored by Senator Kim LaSata, R-Bainbridge Township.
Senate Bill 432 amends the Michigan Strategic Fund Act to revise an exemption of certain property from taxes collected under the General Property Tax Act. The bill also adds to the exception for certain nonprofit entities supporting research and development in present and emerging technology for qualifying purposes until December 31, 2024. The bill was sponsored by Senator Kenneth Horn, R-Frankenmuth.
Senate Bill 435 amends the Michigan Memorial Highway Act to designate a portion of Highway M-81 located in Saginaw County in honor of Staff Sergeant Eugene H. E. Alex, a US Army Service Member who was injured in Iraq and died shortly thereafter after being airlifted to a military hospital in Germany. He died on September 2, 2006. He was 32 years old and left behind his wife and 3 children. The “Staff Sergeant Eugene H. E. Alex memorial Highway” would start at the intersection of M-81 and North Gera road and stretch east to the intersection of M-81 and South Van Buren Road. The bill was sponsored by Senator Ken Horn, R-Frankenmuth.
Senate Bill 493 amends the Commercial Rehabilitation Act to extend, from December 31, 2020, to December 31, 2025, the sunset date after which a new commercial rehabilitation certificate may not be granted. The Commercial Rehabilitation Act provides for the establishment of commercial rehabilitation districts. Certain qualified buildings in these districts are subject to property tax exemptions. The bill was sponsored by Senator Jim Stamas, R-Midland.
Senate Bill 494 amends the Commercial Redevelopment Act to extend, from December 31, 2020, to December 31, 2025, the sunset date after which a new certificate may not be granted. The Commercial Redevelopment Act allows a local governmental unit to establish a commercial redevelopment district. Certain qualified buildings in these districts are subject to property tax exemptions. The bill was sponsored by Senator Jim Stamas, R-Midland.
Senate Bill 1066 amends the Michigan Strategic Fund Act to transfer and deposit $37.1 million from the Michigan Film Promotion Fund to the state’s general fund for fiscal year (FY) 2019-20. The bill was sponsored by Senator Jon Bumstead, R-Newaygo.
Senate Bill 1067 amends the Michigan Liquor Control Code to transfer and deposit $476,500 from the Michigan Craft Beverage Council Fund to the state’s general fund for FY 2019-20. The bill was sponsored by Senator Curtis Hertel, D-East Lansing.
Senate Bill 1068 amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to transfer and deposit $2 million from the Staff Account of the Solid Waste Management Fund and $4.0 million from the Scrap Tire Regulatory Fund to the state’s general fund, for FY 2019-20. The bill was sponsored by Senator Curtis Hertel, D-East Lansing.
Senate Bill 1069 distributes $3.4 million from the Sex Offenders Registration Fund to the state’s general fund for FY 2019-20. The bill was sponsored by Senator Adam Hollier, D-Detroit.
Senate Bill 1070 and 1071 amend the Michigan Vehicle Code and the Transportation Economic Development Fund law, respectively, to complete the required legislative actions necessary to transfer $13.0 million of restricted Transportation Economic Development Funds (TEDF) to the General Fund as part of a larger agreement between the Legislature and the Administration to balance the FY 2019-20 budget. The bills were sponsored by Senator Adam Hollier, D-Detroit.
House Bill 6119 amends the State Convention Facility Development Act. The bill transfers $10 million from the Conventional Facility Development Fund to the General Fund and distributes $4.0 million to the Michigan Strategic Fund to award grants to other qualified convention centers. The bill was sponsored by Representative Cynthia Neeley, D-Flint.
House Bill 4332 was vetoed by the governor. This bill would have allowed for the use of pneumatic guns during bow hunting season. The permitting system proposed by the bill, however, did not provide sufficiently clear standards for implementation. The bill was sponsored by Representative Beau LaFave, R-Iron Mountain.
House Bills 5339 and 5340 were vetoed by the governor. The bills would have amended the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act to make it easier and cheaper for for-profit property finders to get access to Michigander’s private data. The Department of Treasury maintains an effective system to return unclaimed property to its rightful owner. House Bill 5339 was sponsored by Representative Michael Webber, R-Rochester Hills. House Bill 5340 was sponsored by Representative Wendell Byrd, D-Detroit.
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End of Phase Out Process that was announced in March 2020
The phase out process for caregiver product ends on September 30, 2020. A licensee who accepts an external transfer after September 30, 2020 will be subject to disciplinary action by the MRA.
MARIJUANA REGULATORY AGENCY RELEASE
March 2, 2020 – Today, the Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA) announced a phase-out process for the transfer of marijuana and marijuana products into the regulated market from caregivers. The phase-out process begins immediately and ends on September 30, 2020 with a final termination of all external marijuana transfers.
During the ongoing transition to a regulated market, the MRA has been committed to maintaining patient access to medical marijuana by allowing certain licensed facilities to continue to source product from caregivers without it resulting in disciplinary action against their licenses. Now, nearly 200 grower licenses and more than 25 processor licenses have been issued in the medical marijuana market. As more licenses have been issued and more plants grown and processed, the marijuana product produced by licensed facilities has resulted in an increase in the supply of medical marijuana to patients.
“We have always put patients first when we make decisions regarding medical marijuana,” said MRA Executive Director Andrew Brisbo. “This phase out process is an important next step in implementing the will of Michigan voters and making sure that patients continue to have access to their medicine.”
Licensed businesses will have nearly seven months to make the necessary plans to continue to maintain a sufficient supply of medical marijuana in Michigan. During this time, the MRA will work closely with licensees to build relationships and provide outreach and assistance during this transition period.
Phase One – Growers and Processors
The MRA gave notice in December, that – beginning on March 1, 2020 – growers and processors who obtain marijuana plants, concentrates, vape cartridges, or infused products from caregivers would be subject to disciplinary action.
Phase One of the phase-out process begins immediately and runs through May 31, 2020. During phase one, growers and processors licensed under the MMFLA who obtain marijuana flower – defined as bud, shake, and trim only – directly from a caregiver who produced the flower will not be subject to disciplinary action by the MRA under certain conditions.
Phase Two – Growers
Phase two begins on June 1, 2020 and ends on September 30, 2020. During phase two, growers licensed under the MMFLA who obtain marijuana flower – defined as bud, shake, and trim only – directly from a caregiver who produced the flower will not be subject to disciplinary action by the MRA under certain conditions.
During phase two, the total weight of marijuana flower that growers obtain from caregivers must be less than or equal to the total weight of marijuana flower that the licensee harvested (both wet and dry) between March 1, 2020 and May 31, 2020 plus the projected harvest weight (dry) of all plants that are in the flowering process on May 31, 2020.
Phase Two – Processors
Phase two begins on June 1, 2020 and ends on September 30, 2020. During phase two, processors licensed under the MMFLA who obtain marijuana flower – defined as bud, shake, and trim only – directly from a caregiver who produced the flower will not be subject to disciplinary action by the MRA under certain conditions.
During phase two, the total weight of marijuana flower that processors obtain from caregivers must be less than or equal to 50% of the total weight of marijuana flower the licensee obtained from caregivers between the dates of March 1, 2020 and May 31, 2020. The marijuana flower obtained from caregivers must be processed and may not be sold or transferred as marijuana flower.
End of Phase Out Process
The phase out process for caregiver product ends on September 30, 2020. A licensee who accepts an external transfer after September 30, 2020 will be subject to disciplinary action by the MRA.
Michigan residents with past criminal convictions could soon have more ways to clear their records or automatically get their records expunged after a period of time for certain offenses.
“Clean Slate” legislation designed to simplify and expand expungement options for people who have gone several years without committing another offense passed the Michigan Senate with wide bipartisan support Wednesday. The main bills in the package passed the House last November and will be returned to the House for final approval of Senate changes – then goes to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for consideration.
…. It goes back to the house then to Governor Whitmer to think about
Gay-Dagnogo on Good Moral Character Reform Package
LANSING, Mich., Sept. 10, 2020 —Today, the House passed the bipartisan ‘Good Moral Character’ reform package, which would collectively remove barriers for individuals with past criminal convictions when seeking professional certifications. State Rep. Sherry Gay-Dagnogo (D-Detroit), sponsor of House Bill 4492 in the package to update the Michigan Occupational Code, released the following statement in response:
“I am pleased that my colleagues in the House were willing to give thousands of Michiganders a second chance at life. Making mistakes is a part of the human experience, we all do it. And we all deserve a chance to positively move forward and build a successful future. This bill package creates an opportunity for them to do that. As we continue to navigate through this pandemic and imagine what things will be like on the other side, we must do everything we can to ensure those who are willing and able to serve their communities don’t have unreasonable barriers in their way.”September 10, 2020
Bill DocumentsBill Document Formatting Information[x] The following bill formatting applies to the 2019-2020 session: – New language in an amendatory bill will be shown in BOLD AND UPPERCASE. – Language to be removed will be stricken. – Amendments made by the House will be blue with square brackets, such as: [House amended text]. – Amendments made by the Senate will be red with double greater/lesser than symbols, such as: <<Senate amended text>>.(gray icons indicate that the action did not occur or that the document is not available) Documents
DISCLAIMER This post may contain re-posted content, opinions, comments, ads, third party posts, outdated information, posts from disgruntled persons, posts from those with agendas and general internet BS. Therefore…Before you believe anything on the internet regarding anything do your research on Official Government and State Sites, Call the Michigan State Police, Check the State Attorney General Website and Consult an Attorney.
Here are some links to news stories about various spotlight cases Komorn Law has been involved in over the years. There are many that can not be posted due to various reasons. Some we are still engaged in because Attorney Michael Komorn does not fold easily…Enjoy
If you are interested in opening a cannabis business in Michigan you will need an attorney. Selecting a law firm is important and choosing one who has been fighting for medical marijuana patients and caregivers, adult recreational use and the legal rights of their clients for over 27 years is one of the first steps in achieving your goal in becoming a cannabis entrepreneur. Selecting an attorney who you are comfortable with and can develop a relationship with is extremely important. Search the internet and research our law firm and see how involved we are in the marijuana community. To learn more contact the office 248-357-2550 or do some research on the website Komorn Law.
Michigan Marijuana Acts and Laws
Although Michigan voters have legalized Marijuana it still remains on the controlled substance list schedule 1 and is federally illegal (Current Sept 16, 2020)
DISCLAIMER This post may contain re-posted content, opinions, comments, ads, third party posts, outdated information, posts from disgruntled persons, posts from those with agendas and general internet BS. Therefore…Before you believe anything on the internet regarding anything do your research on Official Government and State Sites, Call the Michigan State Police, Check the State Attorney General Website and Consult an Attorney.
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