U.P. Prosecutor scolded by MI Supreme Court
Posted: 06.02.2011 at 11:58 AM

MUNISING, MI (AP) -- The Michigan Supreme Court has scolded an Upper Peninsula prosecutor for inappropriate comments during the 2008 trial of man convicted of killing his wife by pushing her off a cliff.

The court says Karen Bahrman did not violate Thomas Richardson's right to a fair trial. But the court knocked the Alger County prosecutor for a variety of remarks in front of jurors.

Bahrman referred to a defense witness as a "whore" and one of her own witnesses as a "bottom feeder." In an order released Thursday, the Supreme Court called it "simply unprofessional."

Bahrman says the "whore" comment was about a witness who was paid for testimony. She says she has no regrets.

Richardson was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of wife Juanita at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Richardson lost an appeals court case in November, 2010.  He is serving a life sentence for the murder.  Richardson claims his wife fell off the rocks while he was coming back from the bathroom.

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