MI Supreme Court Clears Charges Against Snyder, 8 Others In Flint Water Crisis

MICHIGAN — The Michigan Supreme Court cleared charges against former Gov. Rick Snyder and eight other officials in connection to the Flint water crisis after the court said a judge had no power to issue indictments.

The court said a one-person grand jury allows a judge to investigate, subpoena witnesses and issue arrest warrants, but not issue indictments. In addition, the court, led by Chief Justice Bridget McCormack said that "if a criminal process begins with a one-man grand jury, the accused are entitled to a preliminary examination before being brought to trial."

The ruling was unanimous with one justice absenting.

Snyder and seven other officials were charged with 42 counts, including perjury, misconduct in office and involuntary manslaughter in connection to the drinking water catastrophe roughly seven years ago. They all pleaded not guilty.

Snyder, a Republican who left office two years ago, was charged with two counts of willful neglect, both misdemeanors which each carry a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a fine up to $1,000.

At least 12 people died and 80 were sickened with Legionnaires' disease when state officials decided to switch Flint's water supply from Lake Huron to the Flint River, which caused lead to leach from old pipes, poisoning the majority Black city's water system.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel put together a team spearheaded by Fadwa Hammoud and Wayne County prosecutor Kym Worthy to lead the criminal investigation into the official's decision.

Hammoud and Worthy then presented their findings in secret to a one-judge grand jury in Genesee County, who then issued the indictments.

The case now gets sent back down to the Genesee Circuit Court. It remains unclear if Nessel will re-file charges again.

The Associated Press contributed to this report