A man found guilty of reckless driving causing serious impairment and assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder will serve at least three years in prison, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Friday. In September, a jury rendered a guilty verdict against Ryan Philipps, 25, following a four-day trial in Menominee County Circuit Court. The Department of Attorney General acted as a special prosecuting attorney on the case because Philipps’ father is a defense attorney in the county and often appears before the Menominee County courts. In Aug. 2019, Philipps hit a former friend with his car after an argument involving a marijuana grow business. The victim suffered rib and femur fractures, as well as an ACL tear and significant road rash. Philipps initially was charged with assault with intent to murder, punishable by a maximum life sentence; assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison or $5,000; assault with a dangerous weapon, punishable by a maximum sentence of four years in prison and a fine of $2,000; and reckless driving causing serious impairment, punishable with a maximum sentence of four years and $2,000. They instructed the jury to consider the first three felony counts of assault and to choose only one charge to convict on if jurors determined Philipps were guilty. Thursday afternoon, visiting Delta County Judge John B. Economopoulos sentenced Philipps to 38 months to 10 years in prison for assault with intent to do great bodily harm, and twelve months in jail for reckless driving causing serious impairment, to be served concurrently. Philipps was ordered to pay $516 in costs and fees.
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Melissa Ebsch
I have never found anything that has made me happier than journalism. The ability to inform the public is one of the most rewarding things anyone could do. While I have had many amazing opportunities in my career, I am finally back doing what I call a passion. The ability to be my true authentic self in black and white. I am a wife, mother of seven, grandmother to four, and I enjoy reading, collecting typewriters, movies, spending time with my family and our famous game nights!
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