Local & State

LANSING, MI – Ken Wyniemko was convicted of a rape he didn’t commit in 1994. Wyniemko was freed from prison in 2004, after spending 9 years locked up.   The results of DNA test of a cigarette butt and semen stained nylons showed that it didn’t match his DNA.  Although, Wyniemko professed his innocence, he was convicted of rape and burglary.   A court appointed attorney assigned to Wyniemko’s case had less than a week to prepare for his defense.  The jury also heard from a jailhouse informant who was spared a life sentence for his testimony that Wyniemko confessed.  Even though the victim was blindfolded and the attacker wore a ski mask, she said she was certain that it was Wyniemko.  A judge exceeded the sentencing guidelines because Wyniemko didn’t show remorse and sentenced him to 40 – 60 years in prison.

Dr. Judi Brown Clarke, Silver Medalist in the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California

Tammy Banovik stands on her front lawn where a tree had fallen on 2213 S. Washington Avenue.  Sue Jenkinson was outside cleaning up some falling branches during a recent storm in Lansing when it occurred.   Photo by Nicole Wallace