Aviation experts call for clemency for Michigan’s ‘ninja killer’ as they cast doubt on wild theory used to convict him of shooting dead student in a parking lot 37 years ago

Aviation experts questioning a sensational theory that helped convict a Michigan man jailed for murder are asking for clemency in his case.

Temujin Kensu, 57, was sentenced to life in prison for the 1987 murder of student Scott Macklem, despite there being no physical evidence linking him to the crime and the then 23-year-old had an alibi.

Prosecutors presented the theory that Kyungsoo, who was dubbed the “ninja killer,” was able to charter a plane to fly him from one side of the state to the other, where he then shot Macklem and then quickly flew home without anyone ever tracking him down. scene.

But now three aviation experts have written to Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in support of pardoning the prisoner serving more than 30 years. suggesting that the theory is “so unbelievable it’s unbelievable,” NBC reported.

Key to the prosecution’s case is the testimony of former pilot Bob Evans, who said the flight could have gone ahead despite the lack of any recordings because pilots were often stuck waiting for customers.

Aviation experts have cast doubt on the theory that convicted Michigan killer Temujin Kensou chartered a plane to kill Scott Macklem in 1987.

Three experts have asked Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to pardon a prisoner of more than 30 years, dubbed the “Ninja Killer” because of his martial arts background.

Kyungsoo was sentenced to life in prison without parole despite a lack of physical evidence linking him to the parking lot (pictured) where Macklem was shot and killed.

Detectives also said they interviewed the airport manager, who admitted it was a “possibility.”

However, this was questioned by 82-year-old Harvey Setter, who previously managed the Delta County Airport in Escanaba, Michigan, between 1982 and 1999.

In his letter, the former manager stated that investigators never contacted him.

“As for people hanging around waiting for a flight, this is highly unlikely,” he said in an email.

He is supported by 71-year-old Rick Orzel, who at the time of the killing provided services including fuel and aircraft maintenance at the St. Clair County Airport in Port Huron.

Orzel wrote a letter confirming the claim that the pilots hanging around were “a complete fabrication” and also said he had never been contacted by detectives.

Meanwhile Bob Thoms, 67, a flight instructor and commercial pilot who was friends with Evans, said he had “no integrity.”

“He was a really good storyteller,” Thoms said in an interview. “Sometimes—let’s put it this way—you had to check what he told you.”

Aviation experts have refuted key testimony from a pilot who claimed Kyungsoo may have chartered the plane without registering it.

Kyungsoo, whose real name is Fred Freeman, is in prison with his current fiancée Paula Randolph. He has exhausted all appeals but hopes his conviction can be overturned after it is reviewed by the state’s Conviction Integrity Unit.

Evans, whose testimony was so central to the prosecution’s case, has since died. The juror later told investigative reporter Bill Proctor that his story convinced him of Ken’s guilt.

During the trial, Kyungsoo’s motives were revealed to the jury. had to get rid of Macklem so Kyungsoo could “control” Macklem’s girlfriend, whom he dated six months ago.

Macklem’s girlfriend told police that she was dating Kyungsoo and that he was “into ninjas” but didn’t want anyone to know and that he would kill her if she told anyone.

At the time, Kyungsoo was known as Fred Freeman, but used several aliases to avoid arrest warrants for assault and other alleged crimes.

Trial of ex-girlfriend Crystal Merrill testified that he told her that he was the “top leader” of Japanese organized crime. Prosecutors also showed jurors images of his martial arts weapons.

The prison informant also claimed that Kyungsoo told him when they were locked up together for several hours that he had committed the murder, but later retracted his testimony.

Detectives ultimately were unable to find a shred of physical evidence indicating he was in the parking lot where Macklem was shot.

Kyungsoo was denied clemency three times and has exhausted all avenues of appeal.

Kyungsoo was placed 400 miles from the murder scene in the hours before and after the murder by nine witnesses and always maintained his innocence.

Nine alibi witnesses also established that he was 400 miles away in Escanaba in the hours before and after the murder.

Kyungsoo was denied clemency three times and has exhausted all avenues of appeal.

His case was later reviewed by the Michigan Conviction Integrity Unit.

But Mike Wendling, St. Clair County’s current top prosecutor, called the plane theory a “red herring,” saying Kyungsoo would still be his top candidate if he reviewed the case for the first time today.