Clemency panel will look at Aslin's unusual murder case

I have to play both sides of the fence on this. I am one of Jonhs relatives, and I am an officer with the Michigan Dept of Corrections. And as an officer I am by far not soft on prisoners, I'm very strict in enforcing the rules. I can see how the victims family would have little pitty on John even after 24 years. I can also see Jonh's side too. I have seen all to many times prisoners who murdered someone and have it pled down and only served 10-15 years, and the victim being a young person at the beginning of there life. I think in those cases they should get life, nothing less. In Johns case he did not intend to kill this woman. He commited a stupid crime. He broke into an elderly womans home. A place where we should always feel safe. He robbed her for only a few dollars and Pushed her and excaped. Although this trama caused her to have a heart attack which killed her the intent of killing her was the last thing on his mind. A short to moderate prison sentance would have been a fair sentence. Life without parole is excessive for this crime. John does good time in Prison. This is a term for a prisoner who follows all the rules and doesn't receive disciplinary sanctions for breaking the rules. If for the grace of god John has his sentance reduced to time served. He would move home and be close to the tribe, have a strong family and community support system, as well as work. There are victims of this crime that haven't been mentioned, they are Johns family. We can never get Mrs Stephens back and that is a great loss. After 24 years we would like to get john back. Trust me 24 years in prison is a long, long time, it is nothing less than miserable. I think John has paid for his crime, he is truely regretful, not only because he spent 24 years in prison but because his actions caused a good person to die.

Thank you David Derusha for writing about what you know in John's behalf. You are right in what you said about John. I am John's sister. I know John, and he would never had done anything like this intentionally. Back then, he was a stupid kid with a lot of problems. I do feel for the family. I know that this was a terrible thing that happened. I have talked a lot with John since that time. I know he feels so much remorse and wishes he could go back and make different decisions, but he can't. He has done everyhing he can to survive and be a better person. He has educated himself and has tried to help others that he knows. I was already married and left the state when he was that age. I know he had a hard life. I went through some things too. This is not to say that you should not be responsible for your actions in life. I think John has paid for this, and I believe that this will always be a part of his life, which he will regret and never forget. I am so grateful for Wanda's change of heart. This is something that may finally bring our family to have a little peace, but still understanding and knowing the hell this has caused for her and her family. I hope that some day we can all live our lives and let this hurting that everyone has been throug be better. But we need to never forget, and do the best we can to let our children and loved ones know that it only takes one stupid moment to cause so much grief and a lifetime of hurt.
I wish Wanda's family well and I thank her so much for her change of heart.