Written by Herbert Welser & Jim McNeil
We’ve seen a lot over our decades in law enforcement. We’ve investigated everything from minor offenses to major crimes, and we know firsthand the importance of making sure the right person is held accountable. But when the system gets it wrong, it’s our duty to say so—because justice isn’t just about punishment; it’s about the truth.
That’s why we’re lending our voices to the growing number of law enforcement professionals who support the release of Temujin Kensu, a man who has spent nearly 40 years in prison for a crime he could not have committed.
The Crime That Shouldn’t Have Tied Temujin Kensu
The story begins in 1986 with the tragic murder of Scott Macklem, a young man shot in the parking lot of Port Huron Community College. But from the start, the case against Kensu—formerly Fredrick Freeman—was built on shaky ground. Temujin was more than 400 miles away, in Escanaba, when Macklem was killed.
Ten alibi witnesses placed him there, with no physical or forensic evidence tying him to the crime scene. Even the fingerprint on a shotgun shell box found at the scene did not belong to him. We’ve read the case files, reviewed the witness statements, and analyzed the trial. This conviction isn’t just a mistake—it’s a textbook example of a wrongful conviction.
Prosecutorial misconduct, a hypnotized witness, a jailhouse informant who later recanted, and a defense attorney too deep in addiction to properly represent his client all played roles in sending an innocent man to prison for life.
Law Enforcement Leaders See the Truth
At first, many law enforcement professionals, ourselves included, viewed this case with a healthy skepticism. But when you dig into the facts, the truth is unavoidable: this man is innocent.
Several of our colleagues, including former FBI Special Agent Harold Copus, Michigan State Police polygraph expert Chester Romatowski, and Retired FBI profilers Julia Cowley and her team, have reached the same conclusion. Even Thomas Brennan and Bridgette McCormack, former Chief Justices of the Michigan Supreme Court, and Ross Parker, a 30-year federal prosecutor, agree that Temujin Kensu’s case represents a grave miscarriage of justice.
Justice isn’t a partisan issue, and support for Kensu’s release cuts across political lines. His case has been championed by figures like Jason Flom, a founder of the national Innocence Project, and civil rights advocate Khaliah Ali, daughter of Muhammad Ali. Both have met with Michigan’s Governor, pleading for Kensu’s release.
A System That Failed Everyone
It’s not just Kensu who was failed by this broken system. The community was misled. The Macklem family was denied true justice. And the legal professionals involved allowed politics and negligence to fester unchecked. As the Port Huron Times Herald wrote in 2010: “The system failed Scott Macklem. It failed Fredrick Freeman. It failed all of us.”
The legal system had a chance to correct this mistake. In 2010, Chief Judge Denise Page Hood of the U.S. District Court found clear evidence of prosecutorial misconduct and ordered a new trial. Yet, that ruling was overturned on a procedural technicality—not on the merits of Kensu’s innocence.
The Real Question: Why is Temujin Kensu Still in Prison?
As NBC investigative journalist Hannah Rappleye once said, “The question is not Temujin’s actual innocence. That’s obvious. The question is why is he still in prison?” We agree. The facts are clear: Kensu didn’t commit this crime. What remains unclear is why the State of Michigan refuses to correct this injustice.
Michigan’s governor and attorney general have the power to act, yet Temujin remains behind bars, fighting against a system that refuses to admit its mistakes. Every day that he remains imprisoned is another day that justice is denied—not only to him, but to everyone who believes in fairness and accountability.
An Urgent Call for Action
We joined law enforcement to uphold justice, not to enable injustice. When the wrong person is locked up, the real perpetrator remains free, and that’s not something we can allow to stand. Temujin Kensu’s case demands immediate attention, not just from advocates and citizens but from everyone within the justice system.
Governor Whitmer and Attorney General Nessel must act now—not just for Kensu, but to restore the integrity of the system we all swore to uphold. It’s time to put politics aside and let truth and justice guide the way. The facts are clear. The evidence of innocence is overwhelming. We owe it to the public, the victims, and ourselves to right this wrong. It’s time to bring Temujin Kensu home. We hope you agree.
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About the Authors
Herbert C. Welser, Jr, retired detective lieutenant with 31 years in the Port Huron, Michigan Police Department. (Note: this is the very same department that originally wrongfully convicted Temujin Kensu). Although aware of the case, Herb did not work on the case at all during the original trial. He can be reached at welserh@aol.com
Jim McNeil is a 1984 graduate of Ferris State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and has worked with four police departments in his 28-year law enforcement career. He is the owner of Delta Force P.I., a private security & investigative services company in Gladstone, Michigan. To learn more about Jim and his team, visit his website at http://deltaforcepi.com
We’ve seen a lot over our decades in law enforcement. We’ve investigated everything from minor offenses to major crimes, and we know firsthand the importance of making sure the right person is held accountable. But when the system gets it wrong, it’s our duty to say so—because justice isn’t just about punishment; it’s about the truth.
That’s why we’re lending our voices to the growing number of law enforcement professionals who support the release of Temujin Kensu, a man who has spent nearly 40 years in prison for a crime he could not have committed.
The Crime That Shouldn’t Have Tied Temujin Kensu
The story begins in 1986 with the tragic murder of Scott Macklem, a young man shot in the parking lot of Port Huron Community College. But from the start, the case against Kensu—formerly Fredrick Freeman—was built on shaky ground. Temujin was more than 400 miles away, in Escanaba, when Macklem was killed.
Ten alibi witnesses placed him there, with no physical or forensic evidence tying him to the crime scene. Even the fingerprint on a shotgun shell box found at the scene did not belong to him. We’ve read the case files, reviewed the witness statements, and analyzed the trial. This conviction isn’t just a mistake—it’s a textbook example of a wrongful conviction.
Prosecutorial misconduct, a hypnotized witness, a jailhouse informant who later recanted, and a defense attorney too deep in addiction to properly represent his client all played roles in sending an innocent man to prison for life.
Law Enforcement Leaders See the Truth
At first, many law enforcement professionals, ourselves included, viewed this case with a healthy skepticism. But when you dig into the facts, the truth is unavoidable: this man is innocent.
Several of our colleagues, including former FBI Special Agent Harold Copus, Michigan State Police polygraph expert Chester Romatowski, and Retired FBI profilers Julia Cowley and her team, have reached the same conclusion. Even Thomas Brennan and Bridgette McCormack, former Chief Justices of the Michigan Supreme Court, and Ross Parker, a 30-year federal prosecutor, agree that Temujin Kensu’s case represents a grave miscarriage of justice.
Justice isn’t a partisan issue, and support for Kensu’s release cuts across political lines. His case has been championed by figures like Jason Flom, a founder of the national Innocence Project, and civil rights advocate Khaliah Ali, daughter of Muhammad Ali. Both have met with Michigan’s Governor, pleading for Kensu’s release.
A System That Failed Everyone
It’s not just Kensu who was failed by this broken system. The community was misled. The Macklem family was denied true justice. And the legal professionals involved allowed politics and negligence to fester unchecked. As the Port Huron Times Herald wrote in 2010: “The system failed Scott Macklem. It failed Fredrick Freeman. It failed all of us.”
The legal system had a chance to correct this mistake. In 2010, Chief Judge Denise Page Hood of the U.S. District Court found clear evidence of prosecutorial misconduct and ordered a new trial. Yet, that ruling was overturned on a procedural technicality—not on the merits of Kensu’s innocence.
The Real Question: Why is Temujin Kensu Still in Prison?
As NBC investigative journalist Hannah Rappleye once said, “The question is not Temujin’s actual innocence. That’s obvious. The question is why is he still in prison?” We agree. The facts are clear: Kensu didn’t commit this crime. What remains unclear is why the State of Michigan refuses to correct this injustice.
Michigan’s governor and attorney general have the power to act, yet Temujin remains behind bars, fighting against a system that refuses to admit its mistakes. Every day that he remains imprisoned is another day that justice is denied—not only to him, but to everyone who believes in fairness and accountability.
An Urgent Call for Action
We joined law enforcement to uphold justice, not to enable injustice. When the wrong person is locked up, the real perpetrator remains free, and that’s not something we can allow to stand. Temujin Kensu’s case demands immediate attention, not just from advocates and citizens but from everyone within the justice system.
Governor Whitmer and Attorney General Nessel must act now—not just for Kensu, but to restore the integrity of the system we all swore to uphold. It’s time to put politics aside and let truth and justice guide the way. The facts are clear. The evidence of innocence is overwhelming. We owe it to the public, the victims, and ourselves to right this wrong. It’s time to bring Temujin Kensu home. We hope you agree.
---
About the Authors
Herbert C. Welser, Jr, retired detective lieutenant with 31 years in the Port Huron, Michigan Police Department. (Note: this is the very same department that originally wrongfully convicted Temujin Kensu). Although aware of the case, Herb did not work on the case at all during the original trial. He can be reached at welserh@aol.com
Jim McNeil is a 1984 graduate of Ferris State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and has worked with four police departments in his 28-year law enforcement career. He is the owner of Delta Force P.I., a private security & investigative services company in Gladstone, Michigan. To learn more about Jim and his team, visit his website at http://deltaforcepi.com
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