Fugitive Soccer Mom Released From Michigan Prison

Pittsfield Township, MI—Marie Walsh enjoyed her life in San Diego decades after escaping from a Michigan prison where she was serving hard time under an unusually harsh sentence for selling drugs as a teen.

Walsh lefts her past and her old habits behind as she entered a new respectable life as a mother of three. All went well until that dreaded day when someone informed on Marie and there was a visit from the US Marshall’s fugitive chasers at her upscale home.

Walsh was jailed, extradited, shackled and driven on a seemingly endless ride on a prison bus back to the very place she had fled from so long ago.

What greeted Walsh was a prison occupied by 90%, violent African-American low-life women who would abuse the White socialite for the next thirteen months. I’ve not talked to Walsh just yet but have heard the story so many times before about how White inmates are extorted from, beaten and vilified by the African-Americans from prison workers of both races.

I know Walsh went through absolute Hell as Michigan Governor Granholm did nothing. It figures that that Granholm who is an Obama supporter did not want to show mercy to an obviously rehabilitated White woman. Granholm did not want to lose a single vote from the heavy African-American voting-block.

The racist Detroit, MI-Wayne County Michigan Prosecutor, Kym L. Worthy could not wait to compound Walsh’s troubles by going after her for a decades old escape charge trying to add additional years to Walsh’s incarceration. Instead of more jail Walsh received probation.

Michigan taxpayers wasted a bundle on this lady and neither Michigan nor America is one bit safer as a result. Of course the money spent on lawyers by Walsh and her family for lawyers did not help this lady’s retirement package.

Marie Walsh paid for her sins well beyond what she owed. Now at least she will never fear a knock at her door as long as America stays a free country. What will never go away are the nightmares and horrible memories associated with her ordeal. Tonight Walsh will sleep in her own bed.

Fugitive Soccer Mom To Be Freed from Prison

Lansing, MI-- Susan Lefevrere now known as Marie Walsh escaped from a Michigan prison more than three decades ago. She was a first time offending teenager who got a 10 to 20 year prison sentence for selling a small amount of heroin to an undercover cop. That prison term was off the charts in harshness considering she pled guilty and was expecting probation.

Since her 1976 breakout Walsh turned her life around, moved to the San Diego area and raised a photogenic family with her husband. She lived in an upper-class Carmel Valley neighborhood and enjoyed the American dream. She became a solid member of the community and never looked back or reoffended.

That all changed when there was a rude knock at the door on April 24, 2008. It was a deputy United States Marshall and Walsh’s blessed world came crashing down. Someone had informed on Walsh.

Despite pleas from hundreds of friends and supporters Michigan officials wanted their pound of flesh from this now middle-aged woman who was no threat to anyone. They bagged her and put her on a prison bus back to Michigan.

An utterly worthless and vindictive Wayne County Prosecutor wanted even more and prosecuted Walsh for that ancient escape. That brought an additional five-year probation term along with lots of legal fees.

Finally there is light at the end of a very dark and ugly tunnel. Today the Michigan parole board voted 10-0 to release Walsh on May 19, 2009.

That action has shaved years off of Walsh’s original sentence but the subsequent punishment was wasted on the woman who long ago chose the right path of honorable behavior.

Walsh should have been forgiven or pardoned but instead suffered unnecessary humiliation and excessive additional punishment. The process has been nothing short of a continuing emotional nightmare

When she is released in May she will have lost 13 months of her life she or her family will never see again. That was a meaningless exercise that was unnecessarily cruel.

If there is something good here it’s that Walsh will never have to look over her shoulder or fear a knock at her door again. I hope to welcome Marie back to freedom on a nice spring day.

Injustice On Top Of Injustice In Michigan For San Diego Soccer Mom Escapee

Detroit, MI-Wayne County Michigan Prosecutor, Kym Worthy announced that Susan Lefevrere now known as Marie Walsh will be prosecuted for her escape more than three decades ago.

Walsh now faces an additional five years in prison. As a first time offending teenager and college student Walsh was arrested in Saginaw for selling a small amount of drugs. Walsh pled guilty and got an unexpected maximum sentence of 10 to 20 years behind bars.

Walsh was placed in a Detroit area prison where the population was 90 % African-American and soon was the target of threats. Walsh fled with the assistance of her grandfather. Walsh married and raised a family of three children in Suburban San Diego. Walsh changed her ways and friends and never looked back, that is until a knock at her door by Deputy US Marshals.

Walsh was returned to that Michigan prison as her family, neighbors, friends and total strangers rallied around her begging officials for clemency. Walsh may have had the brush with the law but became a law-abiding and loved member of her community.

Walsh’s lawyer filed a motion in the original Saginaw court seeking a modification of the sentence and there was real hope that mercy, and fairness would see the original sentence vacated since it was so overly harsh when it was handed down on Walsh.

Filing an escape charge now against Walsh is both pointless and beyond cruel. Is there no decency in Michigan? What’s prosecutor Kym Worthy’s ugly agenda here?

Fugitive Soccer Mom Still Has That Smile

Plymouth, MI—Despite being subjected to a long and horrid trip in chains from San Diego to Plymouth on a prisoner bus this Soccer Mom can still muster a smile.

Susan Lefevre now known as Marie Walsh is seen in her latest prison mug shot.

I don’t know too many women Walsh's age that can tolerate being photographed without having their hair done and without make up.

Walsh is preparing to make her case that she has been punished enough for that youthful drug commerce indiscretion as a teen 33 years ago in Saginaw, Michigan.

Walsh’s original sentence of 10 t0 20 years was off the charts of harshness for similar first time drug felons.

So far hundreds of citizens have called Governor Granholm and or signed petitions for Walsh’s speedy release.

Walsh’s husband and three children are struggling with this family disaster as best they can.

Right now Walsh is getting acquainted with her lawyers as they map out plans to prove Walsh has never re-offended in the 32 years she’s been a fugitive at the proper legal venues.

This ordeal is far from over. Many years and tears could pass before Walsh jumps all the hurdles to return to a life of wife and mother.

A Small Mother’s Day Present For Fugitive Soccer Mom

Aside from more major newspaper editorial support for Marie Walsh’s freedom, she arrived somewhat early from her 2000 mile prison bus trip last night.

Walsh will be held in a quarantine setting for a while as she is processed into the general population at the Robert Scott Correctional Facility in Plymouth, Michigan.

Soon Walsh will have an approved list of people she can call by telephone assuming she has money in her personal prison account. It takes time for the bureaucracy to handle these things.

All of Walsh’s visitors including family members will have to undergo background investigations by prison officials before any visits can take place.

My hopes are that a defense lawyer can get the original Saginaw County Court to accept a motion for re-sentencing. Should the court take jurisdiction they may well set bail and release her pending a pre-sentence investigation and further court appearances.

Walsh’s former prosecutor publically said if he was the prosecutor today he’d join in Walsh’s motion to set her free. Walsh has been punished enough. Hopefully the current prosecutor may have a similar attitude. Of course the court will have to accept jurisdiction over this matter befor any movement here.

Should that effort fail a commutation application must be initiated and put into the Pardon Board’s overflowing caseload for consideration. A hearing would result and and recommendation made to the Governor. I know that Governor Granholm is well aware of this case but only she knows what she will do.

Let’s hope that this 33 year-old nightmare ends for Marie Walsh and is put behind her.

Read today’s Detroit Free Press editorial here.

Detroit News Editorial Asks That Fugitive Soccer Mom Be Set Free.

This extraordinary case needs to run through the Michigan Parole Board and Governor’s commutation program at a record speed. I hope that the parole board sees things the way I do and so many kind people that have stepped in to help Marie Walsh.

Read today’s editorial here.

Governor Granholm Should Exercise Leadership On The Soccer Mom Fugitive Case

Susan Lefevre is on a prisoner bus traveling to a state that felt she needed 10 to 20 years imprisonment to turn her into a productive and law-abiding citizen. Michigan was dead wrong as today the stellar wife and mother, now know as Marie Walsh has become today serves as solid evidence of their misjudgment.

I’m asking along with the hundreds of the fugitive’s friends and supporters for Governor Jennifer Granholm to use her commutation power in an unprecedented way in this unparalleled case.

Governor has sole commutation power to set Lefevre free under Article 5 & 14 of the Michigan Constitution. That’s despite a bureaucracy that was set up to include all ten politically appointed members of the Michigan Parole Board.

Usually parole boards are expected to be clairvoyant and predict which offenders are worth the risk of parole or commutation. They investigate and take a long hard look at each case before them and they nearly always vote on the side of caution against disturbing sentences imposed by courts.

Despite clear powers to do so, Michigan governors have never bypassed the parole board process or given a commutation where the board has not recommended mercy. Nobody can recall a similar case like Marie Walsh’s either.

The governor can and should sidestep the parole board’s fortune tellers because she is empowered to do so. Granholm can begin her own investigation and act reasonably and prudently before any clemency application begins its journey.

This is not to slight the members of the parole board or their important work, this rare case does not need to waste their time and limited resources.

The governor can save a family, save taxpayers a small fortune and bring a fair resolution to this woman’s case by just being a courageous governor.

The cost to taxpayers of keeping Marie Walsh for five and a half years in prison is well over $172,000.00. I know there are more important uses for that money than protecting Michigan from a middle aged, reformed soccer mom who lives 2,000 miles away from the place where she offended so long ago.

Here is the contact information for Governor Granholm:
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, Michigan 48909
PHONE: (517) 373-3400
PHONE: (517) 335-7858 - Constituent Services
FAX:(517) 335-6863

The Busing Of Marie Walsh To A Michigan Prison Cell

Susan Lefevre now known as Marie Walsh has just begun a lengthy bus trip from San Diego, California to Plymouth Michigan where she escaped over three decades ago.

Michigan contracts with a private prisoner transportation vendor that provides this service as authorized under a specific federal law.

The bus will be visiting jails and prisons everywhere along the way where they will load and unload their high risk passengers.

I suspect that this trip is the most miserable way to travel and may take as long as two weeks. Walsh will be wearing chains on her wrists and ankles during every moment she is in the bus.

For Marie Walsh this may be the loneliest and most frightening trip she’s ever taken in her life.

The good news for the Walsh family is that the legal machinery will begin considering requests for a sentence reduction or commutation as that bus arrives.

When Marie Walsh steps off that bus she can hold her head up high and smile because the last three decades brought her a fine family that’s very proud of her.

We will find out if justice is tempered with mercy in Michigan as this story unfolds.

Javert 2, Escapes, O. As yet another Long Time Michigan Escaped Convict Is Captured In California

Santa Barbara--Javert of course, is the fictional policeman from that great Victor Hugo Novel, Les Misérables. Javert chased the escapee, Jean Valjean across France catching him nearly a lifetime after he had reformed and became a beloved town mayor.

This is an example of lightning striking twice within a couple of months. In February, a long time, trusted and well liked University of California Santa Barbara employee, Jason Von Straussenburg, a Developmental Technician in the Biological Sciences Department was nabbed after an anonymous tipster told authorities he was really a Michigan escaped convict. The tipster was correct in fingering Roger Crona who broke out of another Michigan prison in 1972.

Carona was twice sent to prison for auto theft related offenses.

Decades have gone by and Crona found the good life in this beautiful coastal town. He put his larcenous ways behind him and at 61 years of age he could soon reasonably expect retirement and a nice pension.

Now Crona is waiting for the extradition train back to Michigan. So far he has refused to waive extradition. If the requesting state wants him it’s almost a sure thing to happen.

Extradition laws involve governors of both involved states to agree to allow a prisoner to be surrendered and moved. The requesting state has to pick up the prisoner and pay for transportation. Often states elect not to bother if the crime is not considered important enough. Crona may well have gotten closer to getting this thing behind him if Michigan decides to give their taxpayers a break.

I see no purpose in wasting money to incarcerate obviously reformed middle aged folks. I say let Mr. Crona who retired from his short auto theft career also retire from his university job far from taxpayer’s wallets.

However it happened Michigan authorities will now have to grapple with two somewhat similar ancient cases. Of course Susan Leferve now known as Marie Walsh was captured little more than a week ago.

Michigan Department of Corrections Information here.

How should Escaped Convict Susan Lefevre Be Handled?

Marie Walsh with her husband and three children. Click on picture to enlarge.

Susan Lefevre is the San Diego woman recaptured after her escape in 1976 from a Michigan prison where she was serving a 10 to 20 year term. Lefevre is now known as Marie Walsh.

I call Marie Walsh the modern day female, Jean Valjean from the great Victor Hugo Novel, Les Misérables.

There is little precedent for this highly unusual case of sin, punishment, escape and redemption in our criminal justice system. This case involves the following facts:
1. Walsh was a 19 year-old first time offender.
2. Walsh received an unusually harsh sentence for her drug conviction.
3. Walsh escaped and was at large for over 32 years.
4. Walsh has never reoffended in over three decades.
5. Walsh has led the rest of her admirable life with her husband and three children.
6. Walsh was never involved in theft of violence.
7. Walsh is obviously no threat to public safety.
8. Walsh suffered over a year in prison and many years living in fear of capture.
9. Walsh’s family needs their wife and mother.
10. Walsh defied the odds of an over 90% failure rate of ex convicts.

The ultimate goal of the Michigan Department Corrections was reached with respect to Walsh.

There are three potential directions for resolving this case:
1. Forcing Walsh to complete her sentence.
2. The court that sentenced Walsh may be able to conduct a new pre-sentence investigation and re-sentence her to a lesser term.
3. Commutation proceedings by the Michigan Parole Board and Governor Jennifer Granholm could finish by ending Walsh and her family’s worst nightmare.

Whatever happens will take many thousands of tax dollars in order to turn the slow wheels of government bureaucracy.

Walsh paid a huge price for her youthful indiscretion already and has demonstrated stellar conduct ever since her escape. Yes, she broke out of prison but more importantly she broke away from the drugs, bad influences and conduct that brought her there.

This is a case where good truly triumphed over evil. We as a society have a duty to make sure Marie Walsh and her family is reunited without further delay.

Fugitive Soccer Mom’s Incredible Demeanor

Undated photo of Marie Walsh and her husband, Alan Walsh with their two daughters.

After leading a law-abiding and productive life 32 years since her escape from a Michigan prison, Susan Lefevre now known as Marie Walsh is still quick to flash a bright smile.

At first I could not understand how anyone could withstand being ripped from their home and loving family and not sink into a sewer of despair at the thought of resuming a 10 to 20 year prison stretch.

Imagine how a wife of 23 years could handle being forced by jailers to remove her wedding ring before they apply the foul delousing spray jails commonly use on all new inmates? Walsh has been captured, put in irons and prison garb and still has an air of amazing style. She seems to be able to turn a handcuff on her wrist into an elegant, diamond tennis bracelet.

For Walsh, her running is finally over. Walsh is also obviously proud of the life she made for herself, her family and friends. Above all Walsh beat the odds for prison convicts by getting completely away from the things that led her astray as a teenager in 1975.

Walsh seems to have real confidence in herself to overcome her troubles and land on her feet with all of her dignity intact.

Walsh has shown by example that her original sentence was far too harsh and that she is no danger to the public. She got caught up in the Drug War dragnet and has ever since paid a very heavy price. Most importantly Walsh learned from her misdeed.

Another price we cannot ignore is the total loss of privacy for Walsh and her family. Marie Walsh’s husband and children really have little choice but to step forward and submit to interrogation by the inquiring minds of the national news media.

I see a great opportunity for every government representative involved in Walsh’s future to show compassion in this very extraordinary and historical case. I only hope they will be able live up to Walsh’s example.

Facts about Commutations in Michigan:

The power to grant commutation rests solely with the Governor. Const. 1963 art. 5 & 14. In Michigan, the Parole Board receives clemency applications, conducts public hearings, and makes formal recommendations to the Governor. The Governor has the power to grant a commutation for any sentence except treason.

Grants of commutation have been rare indeed in Michigan in the last decade. While in the mid-1960s, Governor Romney commuted the sentences of 107 inmates. Twenty years later, Governor Blanchard granted only six commutations -- all but one just before he left office. Governor Engler has granted just five commutations since 1990.

Fugitive Soccer Mom's Story Is Nothing Less Than A Victor Hugo Novel

This time the character Jean Valjean from Hugo’s great tear-jerker novel, Les Misérables, turns out to be a woman!

Susan Leferve now known as Marie Walsh is the escaped convict that fled in 1976 from a severe 10 to 20 year prison term. She has turned her life around and lived the American dream with her husband and three children as a lawful and productive member of society.

Javert the policeman, chased Valjean for his entire career all over France. The Michigan Department of Corrections has their own Javert aided by the US Marshall's service.

Unfortunately, a 1832 national insurrection pre-dating the French Revolution brought death to most of the compelling characters in Les Misérables.

If every offender in this country could follow Leferve’s lead by escaping and to never reoffend we’d be living in a true Utopia. We want our criminals to change their ways but it’s a very rare day when that happens.

Some say it’s a terrible example to wipe LeFerve’s slate clean just because the fugitive turned her life completely around. I say the opposite is true, LeFevere should serve as an example that good things can happen when criminals change their evil ways.

LeFerve already waived extradition and Michigan Governor, Jennifer Granholm has the power to commute LeFever’s sentence. The parole board will hear requests and take testimony from citizens before making recommendations to Governor Granholm.

LINKS:
Hear Detroit , WJR Radio host Frank Beckmann talk to Russ Marlan of Michigan Department of Corrections, about the Susan LeFevre case.

If you want to help LeFerve here is how you can do so.

Michigan Department Of Corrections Information.

A Mom And Her Family Need Your Help!

Please Call or write Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm

For a stupid teenage indiscretion in illegal drug commerce in 1975, Susan Lefevre now known as Marie Walsh was sent to prison in Michigan. She accepted responsibility and got a draconian 10 to 20 year sentence.

Lefevre turned her life around and is a wife and mother of three fortunate children today. She’s avoided drugs, crime and the lifestyle that led to her going to prison. She did what less than ten percent of ex-convicts can do. She was never arrested for another offense.

Lefevre felt threatened in prison and found a way to escape with the help of her grandfather in 1976. LeFevre spent the next three decades keeping a terrible secret fearing every knock at the door. That knock came last Thursday and she is on her way back to Hell.

I’ve investigated this woman and firmly believe she should be forgiven and have her sentence commuted at once. I can’t imagine the horror her family is going trough right now.

Here is the whole story complete with links to interviews


I don’t see much help for this woman other than courageous clemency action by Michigan Governor, Jennifer M. Granholm. She will need time to investigate and determine if LeFevre is even worthy of the expense of extradition.

The Governor is really LeFerve’s only hope. I’m asking all of my readers to contact the Governor and send this woman back to her family. Then e-mail this article to everyone you know.

The governor’s contact information is below:
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, Michigan 48909
PHONE: (517) 373-3400
PHONE: (517) 335-7858 - Constituent Services
FAX:(517) 335-6863

A side note: 05/03/08-Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm is now home, resting after undergoing surgery for intestinal obstruction stemming from an auto accident 15 years ago.

Even so the Governor is on top of Marie Walsh’s frightening situation. I know the governor wants to see a fair and humanitarian solution to Walsh’s Commutation investigation and proceedings.

I wish the Governor Godspeed to a full recovery.

Marie Walsh’s attorney is:
Paul Denenfeld, Esquire
Yates, LaGrand & Denenfeld PLLC
161 Ottawa Avenue, N.W., Suite 404
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
Phone: 616-356-1770
Fax: 616-356-1772

The Long Arm Of The Law Reaches Out Through Time Again

SAN DIEGO – Susan Lefevre was a teen who made some bad choices and found herself sent to prison for a 10 to 20 year term for drug dealing by a Saginaw county court after she pled guilty in 1975.

Soon Lefevre’s grandfather helped her break out of the what's mow called the Robert Scott Correctional Facility located in Plymouth and she’s been on the lam ever since.

Lefevre fled to California and It’s abundantly clear she learned the lesson her lifestyle brought her. Lefevre changed her ways and chose the life of a clean living, suburban San Diego housewife, and soccer mom.

According to a US Marshall’s spokesman the fugitive changed her name to Marie Walsh and evaded capture until late last week. Someone ratted out the 53 year-old absconder to the Michigan Department of Corrections. That led to her capture.

Lefevre’s husband and three children were unaware of her secret.

Punishment was administered but was interrupted for over three decades. Carrying around the secret and looking over your shoulder for so long is severe punishment in and of itself. Rehabilitation of criminals is the ultimate goal of our society and that goal has been reached in this case.

Lefevre faces swift and certain extradition to Michigan where she faces additional escape charges which may destroy the rest of this woman’s life. Her family must be enduring a frightening and heartbreaking nightmare.

Susan Lefevre is a victim of our failed Drug War. The drug laws created an opportunity for a teen to engage in some very lucrative commerce. That opportunity only existed because the drug prohibition made drugs worth far more than their weight in gold.

For now Michigan officials will decide issues while she is in custody over the next several months. Issues like an additional escape prosecution, new sentencing by the original court, or clemency.

I hope they find a way to administer compassion as well as punishment in Michigan. I want very much to see a commutation of Lefevre’s sentence allowing her to go home.

Read more bout this case and see video of an interview with the fugitive here.

A better interwiew can be found here.

Here is a high school photo of Lefevre before her arrest.