No charges in E.L. Quran burning
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Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III will not seek charges against the suspect who allegedly burned an Quran in front of the Islamic Center of Greater Lansing. Dunnings said there was no criminal offense he could charge under Michigan law for the incident, in which a burnt cover of the Quran was found outside the front door of the building.
“His conduct was not in violation of any criminal statues of the state of Michigan,” Dunnings said of the unidentified suspect. “I only have authority to bring charges to bring criminal status under the state of Michigan.”
The cover was found outside the front door of the building Sept. 11, and members of the Islamic Center noticed torn pages of the Quran in front of the mosque. The incident happened in conjunction with the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr. It also was the day Florida Pastor Terry Jones’ attempted to create “International Burn a Koran Day.”
Abdalmajid Katranji, a spokesman for the Islamic Center of Greater Lansing said the center was pleased with how the case was handled and the outcome of the investigations.
“We have come to understand, given the evidence that was available and the testimony of the individual, there was insufficient evidence or data to identify any rule or law that was violated or broken,” Katranji said.
Katranji said the incident inspired unity within the greater Lansing area, and that the center was ready to move on from the vandalism to greater things.
“People from all groups have come together and stood united that in our community here acts such as this are unacceptable,” Katranji said. “We hope this young man seeks to use this event to make him a better person. We’ve forgiven him for our part.”
Several days after the incident, a $10,000 reward fund for information leading to the identification of the person or persons involved was announced during the Sept. 14 East Lansing City Council’s Tuesday work session. East Lansing police Chief Tom Wibert said the reward helped lead to the identification of the suspect.
“The reward was very effective,” Wibert said in an e-mail. “Within two hours of the press release, we received our first call and it was the person who did it, wanting to clear things up. He was interviewed that morning and we established with out a doubt that he was the person responsible.”
None of the reward money was used, Wibert said.
Dunnings said the FBI was involved in looking at the case. FBI spokesperson Sandra Berchtold said the FBI worked with the East Lansing police, but said she could not confirm or deny if the investigation was ongoing or if charges were going to be filed through the US Attorney’s office.
Gina Balaya, spokeswoman for the US Attorney’s office in Detroit, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Commentary
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Totally Backwards
(09/22/10 11:06am)Report
Wouldn’t a probability of prosecution have been determined BEFORE a $10K reward for info was announced??? Or do city officials just use the city $$ to find out the answers they’ve always wanted to know.
EL Councilman: “Who do you think will win DWTS this season?”
EL DA: “I don’t know. Let’s announce a $10K reward for information in the case”
I’m certainly glad they didn’t waste taxpayer $$ on something they had so little interest in!
Lol
(09/22/10 11:20am)Report
Once again, the ELDP proves how stupid and worthless they really are.
There won’t be any federal charges, because the only crime was LITTERING!!!!
Stupid, stupid people. Gah.
Sparty
(09/22/10 11:47am)Report
Burning anything after a basketball victory in a final four is an arrest and most likely expulsion from school. But this is ok to do. Good job keeping you priorities straight ELPD.
PD
(09/22/10 12:09pm)Report
^those seem to be more along the lines of riots, lots of private property damage.
hahahehe
(09/22/10 12:26pm)Report
They never would have given that award to anybody. What a bunch of scumbags. How is this newsworthy?
hahahehe
(09/22/10 12:27pm)Report
*reward
Same Old Same Old
(09/22/10 2:00pm)Report
This is East Lansing government. Everything it does is part of a public relations campaign to convince people it is doing a great job (like wasting millions on City Center II).
Most people in East Lansing were genuinely horrified about this incident. But given this government and its bad attitude towards its citizens and its incessant PR campaign, we have the right to assume the real concern was with public image. The reward was what they came up with to make it look like they cared and were on top of the situation. That is was a stupid idea was besides the point. At least they didn’t pay the reward then decide not to prosecute.
Arafat
(09/22/10 2:35pm)Report
In Muslim countries burning Bibles is standard fair. Yet if we burn a Qur’an in America, Muslims condemn us as if we’re the devil incarnate. Can anyone explain this hypocritical behavior for me?
http://www.jihadwatch.org/2010/09/iranian-security-forces-burn-hundreds-of-bibles-christians-riot——no-wait.html
Blake
(09/22/10 2:54pm)Report
I want a better explanation on how this is not a crime. One week until I, a Roman Catholic, start a large scale protest both in person at the station and online through social media. Please pass along this info and release a statement within 7 days. That is a warning.
elFan
(09/22/10 5:39pm)Report
Thank you East Lansing for keeping us safe. It was your $10k award that saved the State and Feds from spending more resources in searching the perpetrator of this heinous act. Criminals need to beware that EL will come after you at any cost. Any Cost. So Criminals shouldn’t bother stopping by EL
E
(09/22/10 8:35pm)Report
So let me get this straight. Someone practices their constitutional right to freedom of speech/freedom of expression and your city offers a 10K reward to find out who it is, just to realize that the person CANNOT be prosecuted? I am so glad I don’t live anywhere near this stupidity.
Blake
(09/22/10 9:24pm)Report
Hi, I’m Blake, I’m a whiny little bitch and I have NO IDEA how our government works. I don’t even understand the difference between a prosecutor and the police. Whaaaaaaa!!! I think my diaper’s full! Mommmmmmy!!!!!