Schuette: "Convicted Murderer Should Stay Behind Bars"

Contact: Joy Yearout 517-373-8060

June 25, 2014
LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette today announced his support for the family of
the 19-year-old victim of Matthew Makowski in opposing Makowski's possible parole from prison for a life
sentence without parole for first degree murder. Makowski was convicted in Wayne County along with two
others in their victim's brutal stabbing death in 1988.
"Government's first duty is to protect the people. Michigan has always recognized the
seriousness of felony murder, in which a criminal plans a violent crime knowing that the victim is likely to
be seriously harmed or murdered," said Schuette. "We must never forget that the victim's family has
rights, too. This convicted murderer should stay behind bars."
In 2010, Governor Jennifer Granholm commuted Makowski's sentence, but upon further
consideration and warranted outrage from the victim's family, Granholm reversed her decision. The
Michigan Supreme Court ruled that the Governor does not have the power to reverse a commutation, and
Makowski now faces potential release in front of the Michigan Parole Board.
"This is a murderer whose commutation should never have been granted in the first place," said
Schuette.
In 2010, an assistant attorney general under then-Attorney General Mike Cox voiced the
Department's opposition at Makowki's commutation hearing. Governor Granholm granted Makwoski's
commutation over the Department's objection.
The Michigan Parole Board Chairperson is scheduled to interview Makowski on July 17, 2014.
Following Makowski's interview, the Parole Board Chairperson will make a recommendation to the full
Parole Board on whether or not to proceed to a public parolable lifer hearing.
Attorney General's Crime Victim Advocacy
In 1985, Michigan was one of the first states to implement crime victim rights and was the first
state to adopt these rights in our state constitution in 1988.
Victims have the right to address the Parole Board, and this right was recently strengthened by
Public Act 564 of 2012, which the Attorney General supported. This right ensures that the Parole Board is
aware of the personal and social cost of the crimes committed by the prisoner being considered for
parole.
Schuette remains committed to elevating and strengthening the Crime Victim Rights Act, working
with law enforcement, the courts and victim organizations to build a stronger statewide support system for
crime victims.
Since taking office in 2011, Schuette has personally served as a voice for crime victims, and has
encouraged the Department to be a watchdog over enforcement of the state's William Van Regenmorter
Crime Victim Rights Act and as a coalition-builder to provide statewide support for victims of crime.
In addition to numerous reforms and new initiatives, Schuette continues to advocate on behalf of
crime victims by working with legislators to craft new laws, by working with law enforcement agencies
across Michigan to better assist victims and by moving forward to field further enhancements in statewide
support.
"Research and victims' experience have shown that the effects of murder are life-long for the co-
victims of homicides," Schuette said. "Makowski was the brains behind this deadly scheme, which took
the life of a person in an attempted exchange for a few dollars. Such callous disregard for human life, and
the ultimate price paid by the victim, deserves the ultimate sentence."
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