LANSING - Attorney General Mike Cox today released the following statement in response to the Michigan Court of Appeals decision to uphold the convictions against all the defendants found guilty for the 1979 rape and murder of 22-year-old Hope College student, Janet Chandler.

"I applaud the court's decision to uphold the convictions against those responsible for murdering Janet Chandler.  This is a case about a community never giving up.  I applaud all those involved for remaining committed to bringing justice for Janet Chandler and her family.

"Janet Chandler's murder may have happened 30 years ago, but today's action reaffirms that justice may be delayed -- but not denied.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the Chandler family as they continue to relive this tragic story.  My office remains committed to upholding the prosecutions of those responsible for murdering Janet Chandler."

Chandler disappeared while working the night shift at the desk of the Blue Mill Inn in Holland on January 31, 1979.  She was discovered missing when Holland Police responded to a robbery call from the Blue Mill Inn. A snowplow driver discovered Chandler's body nearly 24 hours later adjacent to a turn-around on I-196.

On November 1, 2007 the final four defendants in the Chandler case were found guilty of murdering Chandler, bringing an end to the criminal case.  In all, six individuals were found responsible for the murder

 This case was prosecuted by the Attorney General's Office of Special Investigations (OSI) in partnership with Ottawa County Prosecuting Attorney Ronald Frantz.  The appeal was handled by the Attorney General's Appellate Division.

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