Potterville man ordered to stand trial on sexual assault of a minor charges
LANSING - A 40-year-old Potterville man has been ordered to stand trial in the rape of a minor, state prosecutors said.
Robert Lee Peters was charged earlier this year and accused of sexually assaulting a minor under the age of 13. He was ordered to stand trial by Judge Adrianne Van Langevelde on June 17 on four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, according to court records.
He faces up to life in prison if convicted as charged. Cunningham set his bond at $100,000, court records show.
His attorney had no immediate comment.
The Michigan Attorney General's Office is prosecuting the case. The incidents, Attorney General Dana Nessel's office said in a statement, took place between 2018 and 2021 in Eaton County.
Nessel's office said the victim in the case, whose gender was not released, disclosed the assault in 2023 and Michigan State Police investigated.
'I commend the tremendous courage of the victim in coming forward,' Nessel said in a statement. 'Sexual assault cases, especially those involving minors, can be exceptionally challenging. I would like to thank the Michigan State Police and prosecutors in my office for their dedication and hard work in ensuring this case moves forward to trial.'
Peters is scheduled for a status conference in Circuit Court on Aug. 15.
Contact Ken Palmer at kpalmer@lsj.com. Follow him on X @KBPalm_lsj.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Potterville man to stand trial on sexual assault of a minor charges
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CNN
20 minutes ago
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Karen Read faces a civil lawsuit after being acquitted of murder. What's next
Karen Read descended the steps of the Norfolk County Superior Court on Wednesday a free woman, acquitted of murder. Met by a sea of supporters, cheering and firing pink confetti cannons, there were tears and 'I love you' gestures as the crowd — and Read — celebrated a long sought-after legal conclusion even one that came with a conviction on a lesser charge. The future seems bright for the woman who has gone from homicide suspect to cult hero, but her legal battles are not quite over. Following two criminal jury trials over the death of her police officer boyfriend, Read has become something of a celebrity to her supporters, who reveled in her acquittal this week. But the former financial analyst, who has spent more than three years as a murder suspect, still faces a civil lawsuit over John O'Keefe's death. It's not entirely clear what comes next for Read. However, immediately following the verdict, she appeared to be just taking in the moment with her family. Read was seen having a celebratory dinner with her defense team and family members at an upscale restaurant in the Seaport section of Boston Wednesday night, according to CNN affiliate WCVB. 'Happy, I'm happy, thank you,' Read told reporters. 'I fought for John O'Keefe, harder than anyone.' While prosecutors cannot bring criminal charges against her again over O'Keefe's death, Read still has other legal issues to contend with. O'Keefe's family filed a wrongful death civil lawsuit in August 2024, alleging Read 'intended the reckless conduct that resulted' in his death. The lawsuit also accuses the two Canton bars — C.F. McCarthy's and the Waterfall Bar and Grill — saying they 'negligently served alcohol to an intoxicated person.' Both bars have denied that allegation, according to court filings. O'Keefe's family said Read's public comments about what happened that night were a 'false narrative' and caused them 'aggravated emotional distress,' according to the filing. 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We encourage members of the community to move forward together, treating one another with respect through civil, constructive dialogue,' according to a statement on the town's website Thursday. The public interest in the case continues. The day of the verdict, Netflix announced a new documentary series that 'will explore what happened in the days leading up to O'Keefe's death,' according to a statement from the streaming company. CNN's Faith Karimi and Jean Casarez contributed reporting.
CNN
24 minutes ago
- CNN
Karen Read faces a civil lawsuit after being acquitted of murder. What's next
CrimeFacebookTweetLink Follow Karen Read descended the steps of the Norfolk County Superior Court on Wednesday a free woman, acquitted of murder. Met by a sea of supporters, cheering and firing pink confetti cannons, there were tears and 'I love you' gestures as the crowd — and Read — celebrated a long sought-after legal conclusion even one that came with a conviction on a lesser charge. The future seems bright for the woman who has gone from homicide suspect to cult hero, but her legal battles are not quite over. Following two criminal jury trials over the death of her police officer boyfriend, Read has become something of a celebrity to her supporters, who reveled in her acquittal this week. But the former financial analyst, who has spent more than three years as a murder suspect, still faces a civil lawsuit over John O'Keefe's death. It's not entirely clear what comes next for Read. However, immediately following the verdict, she appeared to be just taking in the moment with her family. Read was seen having a celebratory dinner with her defense team and family members at an upscale restaurant in the Seaport section of Boston Wednesday night, according to CNN affiliate WCVB. 'Happy, I'm happy, thank you,' Read told reporters. 'I fought for John O'Keefe, harder than anyone.' While prosecutors cannot bring criminal charges against her again over O'Keefe's death, Read still has other legal issues to contend with. O'Keefe's family filed a wrongful death civil lawsuit in August 2024, alleging Read 'intended the reckless conduct that resulted' in his death. The lawsuit also accuses the two Canton bars — C.F. McCarthy's and the Waterfall Bar and Grill — saying they 'negligently served alcohol to an intoxicated person.' Both bars have denied that allegation, according to court filings. O'Keefe's family said Read's public comments about what happened that night were a 'false narrative' and caused them 'aggravated emotional distress,' according to the filing. Read has participated in interviews and a documentary series about the case, and has said her public comments are 'her testimony.' The civil suit is not just about the circumstances that led to O'Keefe's death. His family alleges Read also inflicted emotional distress on O'Keefe's niece when she woke the girl up to tell her something had happened to her uncle, according to the lawsuit. Read's lawyers in the civil case declined to comment to CNN on ongoing litigation. CNN has not heard back from the O'Keefe's attorneys. The O'Keefe's are seeking $50,000 in damages, according to filings, and the case could go to trial if a settlement is not reached first. The civil suit was put on hold while the criminal trial played out, court documents show. The docket shows no new court dates have yet been scheduled. 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Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey told CNN affiliate WBZ after court 'the jury has spoken.' CNN reached out to his office, but they had no further comment about the verdict or the homicide investigation. John Jackson, an O'Keefe family friend, told CNN affiliate WCVB they will try to move on and keep O'Keefe's memory alive. 'He just deserved much more than this… This circus, it's unacceptable. But you respect the jury's decision. It's what it is,' Jackson said. The FBI initiated a federal investigation into law enforcement after O'Keefe's death, but special prosecutor Hank Brennen announced in court during Read's second trial that it was closed without any charges being filed. Defense attorney Alan Jackson, however, said in an interview Thursday with a local radio program, the Howie Carr Show, he still has questions about that investigation. 'I've never heard of an investigative agency announcing to the target that the investigation is closed. That has never happened,' he told Carr. 'So, I still have questions about that.' Jackson said he thinks there is 'plenty of evidence for them to investigate, and I think they should.' The Massachusetts State Police vowed to take new steps to improve its process following O'Keefe's death and the subsequent investigation. 'The events of the last three years have challenged our Department to thoroughly review our actions and take concrete steps to deliver advanced investigative training, ensure appropriate oversight, and enhance accountability,' Col. Geoffrey Noble said in a statement posted Thursday on Facebook. Legal battles are expensive and Read racked up significant costs while maintaining her innocence, according to reporting from Vanity Fair last year. The publication said Read paid '$1.2 million leading up to and during' her first trial, depleting her savings and other donations. That included the costs of everything from paying bail to accommodations for her lawyers and to experts like private investigators, Vanity Fair reported. Before her second trial even started, Read had $5 million of deferred legal bills, according to the magazine. As of Friday, people were still donating to an online legal fund for Read that has raised more than one million dollars. Speaking to supporters from the courthouse steps after the verdict on Wednesday, Read thanked them for their financial support. Read's health issues may also play a significant role in her future. Read has said she has Crohn's disease and multiple sclerosis, and text messages about her health conditions from lead investigator Michael Proctor came up during the first trial, according to court reporting from WCVB. One day of testimony in her second trial was postponed due to a 'health issue,' the court clerk said. CNN affiliate WCVB reported Read was sick, citing a source close to the case. CNN has reached out to Read and her attorneys for comment on this reporting but did not hear back. Three and a half years ago, the murder case against Read divided the tight-knit town of Canton, Massachusetts, and its nearby suburbs. Residents stormed city council meetings, demanding answers. Some accused the local police of a cover-up to protect those at the party on Fairview Road. Others turned to social media forums to discuss the intricacies of that fateful night, turning what began as a local homicide case into a broader national sensation. Many residents in Canton and its surrounding areas picked a side: they either agreed with prosecutors who said Read hit and killed O'Keefe with her car after a night out or sided with the defense, who said she was framed. The allegations of corruption and law enforcement tainting the investigation into O'Keefe's death was a galvanizing force for Read's supporters. The public outpouring of support started as a grassroots movement, according to CNN correspondent Jean Casarez, who has spoken with many of the people in Read's crowds. The movement was based on the belief among many that law enforcement tampering with evidence was rampant in their community — and Read's case became the symbol of that. In a previous statement to CNN, Canton Police Chief Helena Rafferty said investigators found 'absolutely no evidence of a cover up in the tragic death of John O'Keefe.' At a town board meeting in August 2023, she acknowledged there's a 'mistrust for the police department' in Canton, but said it's not as widespread as portrayed. 'However, I do acknowledge that it is there, and I hear you,' she said. 'I believe the first step in bridging that trust gap is effective and healthy communication.' She did not respond to further questions from CNN on the root of the mistrust. The town's Select Board Chair John McCourt acknowledged this week the case has 'deeply affected' the community. He said the trial's 'outcome may bring a sense of relief to some and continue to raise questions for others. We encourage members of the community to move forward together, treating one another with respect through civil, constructive dialogue,' according to a statement on the town's website Thursday. The public interest in the case continues. The day of the verdict, Netflix announced a new documentary series that 'will explore what happened in the days leading up to O'Keefe's death,' according to a statement from the streaming company. CNN's Faith Karimi and Jean Casarez contributed reporting.
Fox News
26 minutes ago
- Fox News
Deadly lawmaker ambush in Minnesota raises fears about fake police officers knocking on doors
Vance Boelter left the state of Minnesota in fear after he allegedly posed as a police officer and carried out the shootings of two state lawmakers, killing one and her husband, at their homes last week. But what can you do to verify that the person who knocks on your door or pulls you over while you're in your vehicle is a law enforcement officer? Mark Bruley, chief of police in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, where Boelter allegedly shot and killed Minnesota state lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, told reporters at a press conference earlier this week that there's one thing you can do that's "never wrong." "You always can call 911 and verify if the person at your door is a police officer," Bruley said. "If they are working police officer, they will be connected to a dispatch center that can validate that. So the first thing I would do is, if you're concerned about it, is call 911. Obviously, there's a lot of different uniforms, and it's never wrong to do that." Police officers typically wear a visible badge with their identification number and name on their uniform. They often also carry agency-issued photo identification that can include their name, rank and agency information. Fox News Digital spoke with Brian Higgins, founder of Group 77 and former Chief of Police of Bergen County, N.J., to learn more about what citizens can do in cases where they feel the need to verify that who they're speaking to is a law enforcement officer. Higgins said that most verification measures, such as requesting the officer's photo identification, require the citizen to open the door, at which point it would be too late if the individual is an impersonator. "If you're not sure, don't open the door," Higgins said, adding that citizens can stand to the side of their door and speak to officers through the door while calling 911 or the local police department to confirm that an officer was sent to their home. Higgins said that knowing what police uniforms look like and, if you live in a town with a smaller police force, being familiar with its members helps with verifying. "If you see an officer not in uniform, not someone you recognize," Higgins said, "it's prudent to call police and ask if this person is a police officer." Not all situations, however, are the same. "It's more difficult when on the road and a police officer pulls you over," Higgins said of verification during traffic stops. In these situations, Higgins said it's important to know what law enforcement vehicles look like, adding that sometimes real law enforcement cars can be unmarked. Higgins said officers usually call in traffic violations to dispatch, so drivers can still call 911 or the local police to verify that an officer performing their duties initiated the stop. Higgins advised citizens to always be aware of their surroundings and to pull over in public places, if possible. If unable to immediately pull over in a public place, Higgins said drivers can lower their window just enough, keep their car in drive and ask the officer if it's possible to drive to another place that is safer or more public. Higgins said that police officers understand that citizens may be uncertain or nervous and ask for verification. "If their answer is anything other than professional, it should raise a concern," Higgins said. That is, if the citizen didn't do anything obviously illegal like run a red light, he added as a caveat. In the case in Minnesota, Boelter allegedly impersonated a police officer, wearing a flesh-colored mask, a black tactical vest and carrying a flashlight before shooting and killing state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, and wounding state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, at their respective homes. Boelter also drove a black SUV equipped with police-style lights and a fake license plate that said "POLICE," according to a court affidavit. Video footage from Hoffman's home shows a masked Boelter at the front door wearing the black tactical vest and holding a flashlight, according to the affidavit. Boelter then allegedly knocked on their door and shouted repeatedly, "This is the police. Open the door." The Hoffmans answered the door but, since Boelter was shining the flashlight in their eyes, realized too late that Boelter was not a real police officer, the affidavit said.
