The New Citizens Press - News For, By and About People

Report Reveals Broken Scales of Justice For Michigan’s Poor Defendants

Rina Risper17 years ago012 mins

LANSING, MI – Ken Wyniemko was convicted of a rape he didn’t commit in 1994. Wyniemko was freed from prison in 2004, after spending 9 years locked up. The results of DNA test of a cigarette butt and semen stained nylons showed that it didn’t match his DNA. Although, Wyniemko professed his innocence, he was convicted of rape and burglary. A court appointed attorney assigned to Wyniemko’s case had less than a week to prepare for his defense. The jury also heard from a jailhouse informant who was spared a life sentence for his testimony that Wyniemko confessed. Even though the victim was blindfolded and the attacker wore a ski mask, she said she was certain that it was Wyniemko. A judge exceeded the sentencing guidelines because Wyniemko didn’t show remorse and sentenced him to 40 – 60 years in prison.

News Briefs 7-12

Rina Risper17 years ago08 mins

Dr. Judi Brown Clarke, Silver Medalist in the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California

BBB Warns Vacationers that Travel Club Membership Doesn’t Always Pay

Rina Risper17 years ago010 mins

Before you sign on the dotted line, check it out before you check in:

Would-be travelers are spending thousands of dollars to take advantage of travel deals that didn’t exist.

One company was also ordered to pay $70,000 in restitution to the Michigan Attorney General’s Office.

Mother by Melik

Rina Risper17 years ago010 mins

When I was eight I remember my mother walking into the kitchen where I was sitting and announcing, “This is my week to be mean.” Nothing else. I was utterly confused. I understood the parent child relationship that every week, no everyday, had the potential of mom being mean. What made this week any different than any other? Being at that age I did not get the connection when she made that announcement about once a month. I would just politely get up from where I was hearing that announcement and send myself to my room. If mom was going to be mean I was not going to be the one to bring her there.

Nu Resolution 7-12

Rina Risper17 years ago05 mins

New Resolution #34: Lifeguards should be driven to pay attention at all times while on duty. And tell your friends to take a swim.

Plain Talk 7-12

Rina Risper17 years ago05 mins

Friends how many of us have them? Most of us would say that they have close friends in their lives. My questions to you is has the friendship been tested and held up? Are you sure? Do you know if it came down to it that they would save your life without hesitating? Would your friend be willing to part with a kidney if you needed one?

Excuse Me, Are You Listening?

Excuse Me… 7-12

Rina Risper17 years ago04 mins

As we prepare ourselves to go through the next growing phase at The New Citizens Press, we’re beginning to experience growing pains.

Your Letters

Do you have an opinion? 7-12

Rina Risper17 years ago07 mins

In our March 30 – April 12, 2008 edition our feature story was “Sentencing Children to Die in Michigan?”. It was about Efren Paredes, a Latino and former high school honor student from Berrien County, was arrested at the age of 15.

Movies

Blackflix.com Movie Reveiw: Wanted

Rina Risper17 years ago02 mins

Studio: Universal Pictures
Plot: A mild-mannered office worker becomes a mystical assassin.
Cast: James McAvoy, Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman, Common, Terence Stamp
Rating: R
Bottom Line: ***1/2

Books

Book Reveiw 7-12

Rina Risper17 years ago05 mins

The Secret Life of Bees
By Sue Monk
ISBN: 0-14-200174-0
Publisher: Penguin
Available: Bookstores everywhere