Comic book store killer gets life sentence [Detroit Free Press]

Nov. 22--Even after two juries convicted him of killing his wife, Michael George proclaimed his innocence on Monday.

George -- at times tearful -- read a statement before Macomb County Circuit Judge Mary Chrzanowski sentenced him to life in prison without parole.

He was convicted of first-degree murder last month following a five-week trial. Authorities said he shot his wife Barbara George, 32, in the head in a back room of their Clinton Township comic book store in 1990.

A jury convicted Michael George, 51, in 2008, but a circuit court judge set aside the conviction, and that decision was upheld by the state courts.

"I never did this crime. Let's never forget no one saw me there, not one person," he said from a wheelchair in the courtroom.

He referenced cases where people had been wrongly accused and suggested that someone eventually would come forward to help exonerate him.

George, who said he had asked his daughters Tracie and Michelle not to attend the hearing, talked of how he would now miss milestones in their lives, such as marriages, said his wish was to be buried next to Barbara George and spoke of the relationship with his current wife, Renee George, who was seated in the courtroom.

"I don't know why God has put us through this. I do know he loves us," he said.

But a brother and sister of Barbara George who had come to offer their own statements were not swayed by Michael George's claims.

Christine Ball, Barbara George's sister, spoke of the resolve of the family to remember their loved one.

"You took our sister from us, but you'll never take our memories," she said.

After the hearing, she offered additional comments.

"I've had enough of him. He ruined my life enough. He's guilty," she said, noting that 24 jurors -- 12 in each trial -- had agreed on the verdict.

Joe Kowynia, Barbara George's brother, criticized the decision in 2008 to set aside the initial conviction because of prosecutorial misconduct, noting the extensive resources spent on trying the case a second time and getting the same verdict.

He also said that although most members of the family would find some closure in Monday's hearing, George's daughters would have to "realize one day that their father is a murderer."

In addition to the murder charge, George was convicted of insurance fraud and a felony firearms offense.

A request from defense attorney Carl Marlinga to avoid $130,023 in restitution for an insurance payout was not granted. Authorities had cited the insurance George collected on Barbara, along with his relationship with Renee, as reasons for the killing.

Marlinga said he would not be a part of Michael George's planned appeal.

Contact Eric D. Lawrence: [email protected]

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