Granholm reverses decision to release convicted killer

[The Straight Story]

DETROIT (AP) — Gov. Jennifer Granholm reversed her decision Friday to commute the life sentence of a Detroit-area man convicted of a fatal stabbing in 1988, keeping him behind bars.

The reversal comes after objections from relatives of the victim, Pietro "Pete" Puma, a 19-year-old from Detroit. He was killed during a robbery.

Granholm spokeswoman Liz Boyd said the Democratic governor is sending the case back to the state parole board. Any decision to commute Matthew Makowski's sentence would be up to the next governor, Republican Rick Snyder.

Boyd said Granholm appreciated hearing from members of the Puma family, who contacted her office Thursday.

Corrections Department spokesman Russ Marlan said the decision effectively ends the process to release Makowski, since Granholm's term ends Jan. 1, and the Snyder administration said it doesn't want this case to carry over. Marlan said the parole board chair will contact Puma's family and invite them to make statements on the record either in a meeting or hearing.

"For all practical purposes (Makowski) has to start over," Marlan said.

http://www.macombdaily.com/articles/2010/12/24/news/doc4d14d42c9b754943182554.txt

[ProgressiveProfessor]

1. Looks to be a felony murder rule conviction

I am surprised it got that far without some input from the victim's family

[udbcrzy2]

2. Must not have good victim rights laws in Michigan

The victim's family should be notified about any changes in the sentence. I'm glad she discovered that the victims were
not notified and I'm glad she decided to deny the parole.

[mrcheerful]

3. Didn't read the article did we? Here is the last line from said article

"Authorities say Makowski did not participate in the attack but plotted the robbery with two other people."