By Kaitlyn Campbell
In April and July of this year, Clare County made national news when two different altercations between Michigan Republican Party lawmakers occurred at the Doherty Hotel. Now, on August 9, Prosecutor Michelle Ambrozaitis filed several criminal charges as a result of these incidents.
For the altercation that happened in April, both Kelly Sackett and Melissa Pehlis have been charged with disturbing the peace and disorderly jostling. According to Prosecutor Ambrozaitis in a post in the Clare County Prosectuor Office Facebook group, “Both charges are misdemeanors punishable by up to 90 days in jail and/or a $500 fine. A summons was issued for both women, which will require them to schedule a time with the 80th District Court for arraignment.”
As for the incident in July, James Chapman has been charged with assault and battery, and disturbing the peace, both of them being misdemeanors. The first is punishable by “up to 93 days in jail and/or a $500 fine,” and the second is punishable by “up to 90 days in jail and/or a $500 fine.” A summons was also issued for him.
To end off her post, Ambrozaitis stated that, “While these individuals have been charged with crimes, they are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”