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Official Charged in Flint Water-Related Death Faces Hearing

by Associated Press

   FLINT, MICH. --

   A Michigan official blamed in the death of a Flint-area man who had
   Legionnaires' disease faces a key hearing to determine whether he will
   stand trial for involuntary manslaughter.

   Nick Lyon is head of the Department of Health and Human Services. He's
   accused of failing to alert the public in a timely manner about a
   Legionnaires' outbreak in the Flint area in 2014-15.
   Some experts have blamed the outbreak on Flint's failure to treat its
   water to reduce corrosion.
   A judge must decide whether there's enough evidence to send Lyon to
   trial in the death of an 85-year-old man. The hearing starting Thursday
   could last weeks.
   Robert Skidmore was diagnosed with Legionnaires' six months before his
   death from congestive heart failure. Lyon's attorney notes Skidmore's
   home didn't use Flint water.