Claude McCollum
When Claude McCollum was convicted of the 2005 murder of a Lansing Community College professor, his family steadfastly maintained his innocence.
Now, with the suspect in a series of Lansing murders possibly dating back to 2004 under arrest, McCollum’s family wants his case reopened.
McCollum was convicted in April 2006 for the murder of LCC professor Carolyn Kronenberg. The college professor was found dead in her classroom before her class was scheduled to begin.
McCollum’s family members believe the brutal murder of Kronenberg bears resemblance to the recent killing spree for which 27-year-old Matthew Emmanuel Macon is under arrest.
“Friends and family knew all the time that Claude is innocent,” said Carol McCollum, Claude McCollum’s aunt. “We’re really praying that the truth comes out.”
While Carol McCollum said she didn’t have any information beyond what has been reported in the media thus far, she said the similarities between the recent murders and that of Kronenberg deserve attention.
“I don’t know anything about the Macon case,” she said. “He’s an alleged serial killer. His M.O. is similar to what happened to Claude.”
Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III would not comment as to whether the case will be reopened.
All of the murders Macon is accused of involved women who lived alone in the Lansing area.
“We do want the case reopened because they have nothing on (Claude),” Carol McCollum said.
“We thought the trial was a travesty of justice, the way he was railroaded, because they had no evidence, no DNA, no nothing. When you’re convicted of murder, that’s supposed to be without reasonable doubt.”
Carol McCollum said her family has had no contact with police regarding the possibility of reopening the case against Claude McCollum.
She said they will be in touch with their appeal attorney.
The guilty verdict against McCollum was appealed in May 2006. The case is still under appeal.
Lansing police could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
McCollum is currently in jail, serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Macon is expected to be arraigned this week in connection with the recent Lansing murders.
He was arrested last week in connection with five murders and one assault since July 26.
Police also are investigating whether Macon is responsible for a 2004 murder and a series of 2003 sexual assaults.
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