A Michigan man convicted of murder in the drowning deaths of his four children is seeking clemency after serving 35 years in prison. Lawrence DeLisle, 63, was convicted in 1990 and sentenced to five life sentences without parole for first-degree murder and attempted murder in the tragic incident that occurred on Aug. 3, 1989.
DeLisle claimed that a leg cramp caused him to hit the gas pedal, leading to the vehicle plunging into the Detroit River. The crash resulted in the deaths of his four children - 8-year-old Bryan Delisle, 4-year-old Melissa Delisle, 2-year-old Kathryn Delisle, and 8-month-old Emily Delisle. His wife, Suzanne DeLisle, who divorced him and remarried after the trial, stated that she tried unsuccessfully to grab the steering wheel from her husband.
Despite initial public sympathy, police investigations revealed that DeLisle had not applied pressure to the brakes before the car entered the river. In a videotaped interview with Michigan State Police, DeLisle expressed confusion and claimed he was unable to apply the brakes, stating that he did not intend to harm his children.
Only Governor Gretchen Whitmer has the authority to grant clemency to DeLisle. The Michigan Parole Board recently held a hearing to review his case and make a recommendation. DeLisle's attorneys argue that his confession was coerced and that media attention biased his trial, preventing a fair verdict.
However, Judge Robert Colombo Jr., who presided over DeLisle's original case, maintains that the jury's decision was correct. Colombo highlighted DeLisle's troubled history, including previous incidents where he attempted self-harm and dangerous acts. He firmly stated that DeLisle, whom he described as a 'mass murderer,' does not deserve clemency.
As the debate over DeLisle's fate continues, the tragic events of that fateful day in 1989 remain a haunting reminder of the devastating consequences of his actions.
