January 22,  2010

            Lansing - Attorney General Mike Cox announced today he has joined Prosecuting Attorneys in Oakland, Berrien and Alpena Counties to fight the early release of violent criminals taking place as part of budget-cutting measures by the Granholm administration. 

Cox this week filed Amicus briefs supporting attempts by Alpena County Prosecutor K. Edward Black, Berrien County Prosecutor Arthur Cotter and Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper to overturn parole board decisions to release three dangerous felons before the end of their sentences.

"Decisions about releasing certain offenders should not be decided simply on budgetary matters," said Cox.  "Pushing dangerous inmates on the streets before they are ready, especially in tough economic times, is not a substitute for a long-term corrections policy that protects public safety."

As a result of his disagreement with how Granholm is conducting the early release program, Cox initiated a first-of-its-kind Parole Objection Project in the Attorney General's office to oppose the parole of violent offenders who remain a threat to the public.  Under the program, the Attorney General files Amicus briefs in support of local county prosecutors objecting to parole. 

Today in Oakland County Cox filed a brief supporting Prosecutor Cooper, objecting to the early release of Daniel Fletcher, a man convicted twice of sexually assaulting his daughters and sentenced in 2007 to serve 3 to 15 years in prison.  Although he was found with illegal contraband in prison and received serious misconduct violations for his behavior, the parole board agreed to release Fletcher the first time he was legally eligible. 

Also today in Berrien County, Cox filed a brief supporting Prosecutor Cotter, objecting to the early release of convicted murderer Steven Alan Sanders.  Initially paroled in 2003 after serving less than 11 years of a 12 year minimum sentence, Sanders twice violated his parole, was accused of domestic violence and convicted of Home Invasion.  He returned to prison and was eventually granted a parole eligibility date of May 25, 2010 but was granted early release by the parole board 7 months ahead of schedule.

On Wednesday in Alpena County, Cox filed a brief supporting Prosecutor Black, objecting to the early release of violent convicted rapist Raymond Harold Haeger.  A recent risk probability assessment of Haeger indicated he has a criminal personality, exhibits anger and hostility and has a tendency to exploit others.  A sex offender risk assessment indicated the risk Haeger will rape again is high.  Despite this new information and despite having previously been denied parole on four separate occasions, the parole board granted this dangerous felon early release in October, 2009.

"Protecting residents is one of the fundamental roles of government," said Cox.  "These felons should not see the light of day and I will do everything I can to ensure they won't."

Fletcher, Sanders and Haeger remain in prison pending the appeals by county prosecutors and Cox.

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