Tuesday, January 15 2013 9:36 PM EST2013-01-16 02:36:04 GMT
A mother is angry at her ex-husband and his girlfriend, who is accused of driving drunk. The girlfriend was pulled over in Franklin with her boyfriend and his daughters in the car.
A mother is angry at her ex-husband and his girlfriend, who is accused of driving drunk. The girlfriend was pulled over in Franklin with her boyfriend and his daughters in the car.
By Amy Lange Fox 2 News
MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. (WJBK) -- "I think Judge Caretti should have been charged with child endangerment," Lori Conway, the judge's ex-wife, said.
We first introduced you to Lori on Tuesday when her ex-husband's girlfriend, Brenda Conway, was charged with drunk driving. The two women have the same last name because they are distantly related through marriage.
But Brenda Conway was arrested Saturday night. Police say she blew a 0.18. In her car with her were Lori's twelve and 15-year-old daughters and Lori's ex-husband, Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Richard Caretti.
"He should be held to the same standard or a higher standard," Lori Conway said.
Judge Caretti, his girlfriend and daughters had been at a wedding reception in Macomb. They were taking the girls back to their mother's home in Franklin.
Lori says the judge asked their 15-year-old daughter to drive, but she didn't feel comfortable. Next the daughter texted Lori from the car to say Brenda was driving drunk.
Lori called Franklin Police, who arrested Brenda when she pulled in. Her car impounded, police dropped Caretti off at a nearby restaurant so he could call for a ride home.
Lori accuses him of being drunk, letting his drunk girlfriend drive and endangering their children. Caretti was not charged, but police reported him to Child Protective Services and state investigators have already interviewed the children and Lori.
I tried calling Judge Caretti Tuesday and Wednesday, but never heard back. We wanted his side of the story, so we went to the courthouse where he agreed to give us a statement, but said he didn't want to take any questions.
"I had only two or three drinks over the course of seven hours at the hall and was certainly not intoxicated at midnight when we arrived at my ex-wife's house as my very vindictive and inaccurate ex-wife claimed when you interviewed her."
Caretti told us he was visiting with relatives and spent little time with his date that night.
"When we left the hall, I had absolutely no idea that her ability to drive may have been impaired. She seemed completely fine and normal. If I had any indication whatsoever that she may have been impaired, I would never have allowed her to drive my children. She drove because she appeared fine and it was her vehicle. My daughter, who has her permit, always wants to drive, so I asked her if she wanted to drive for that reason only. Brenda's driving from the hall to my ex-wife's home was excellent as she abided by all applicable traffic laws."
We've posted a video of the judge's complete statement above.
But Lori says the children described a frightening ride home hitting rumble strips and swerving with Caretti yelling at his girlfriend.
"Obviously this is a problem that needs to be investigated and it will," remarked Fox 2 Legal Analyst Charlie Langton, who says the whole mess could spell trouble for Caretti and the Judicial Tenure Commission could investigate.
As for the judge, he'll tell you, "I do not anticipate any adverse JTC or Child Protective Services consequences as I did nothing wrong."
Monday, June 17 2013 9:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:27:07 GMT
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
Friday, June 14 2013 5:57 PM EDT2013-06-14 21:57:29 GMT
Jurors have gone home without a verdict on the first day of deliberations in the trial of a Detroit police officer charged in the shooting death of a 7-year-old girl.
Jurors have gone home without a verdict on the first day of deliberations in the trial of a Detroit police officer charged in the shooting death of a 7-year-old girl.
Thursday, June 13 2013 5:44 PM EDT2013-06-13 21:44:55 GMT
It was a day of dramatic testimony in the manslaughter trial of the Detroit cop charged with killing seven-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones as Officer Joseph Weekley took the stand in his own defense.
It was a day of dramatic testimony in the manslaughter trial of the Detroit cop charged with killing seven-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones as Officer Joseph Weekley took the stand in his own defense.
Monday, June 10 2013 7:55 PM EDT2013-06-10 23:55:49 GMT
Testimony got emotional on Monday as the jury heard from Aiyana Jones' grandmother, but the defense questioned whether she has told two different accounts of what happened.
Testimony got emotional on Monday as the jury heard from Aiyana Jones' grandmother, but the defense questioned whether she has told two different accounts of what happened.
Sunday, June 9 2013 10:40 PM EDT2013-06-10 02:40:28 GMT
Tucker Cipriano, the teenager accused of attacking his family and killing his father, is set to go on trial Monday. However, we've learned his family is stepping up its fight to head off that trial.
Tucker Cipriano, the teenager accused of attacking his family and killing his father, is set to go on trial Monday. However, we've learned his family is stepping up its fight to head off that trial.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:27:07 GMT
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
Monday, June 17 2013 11:31 PM EDT2013-06-18 03:31:06 GMT
Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr is working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
As Kevyn Orr tries to solve Detroit's financial crisis, he is also working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:43 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:43:12 GMT
He is a Detroit lawmaker serving his second term in the state House, but he may be spending a little too much time at his own house. M.L. Elrick puts state Rep. John Olumba's attendance record under the microscope.
He is a Detroit lawmaker serving his second term in the state House, but he may be spending a little too much time at his own house. M.L. Elrick puts state Rep. John Olumba's attendance record under the microscope.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:36 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:36:35 GMT
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:45:07 GMT
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
Monday, June 17 2013 5:55 PM EDT2013-06-17 21:55:56 GMT
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
Monday, June 17 2013 4:56 PM EDT2013-06-17 20:56:42 GMT
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.
