Thursday, October 24, 1991

10241991 - Clarence Ratliff - Appeal - Conviction Affirmed




Murdered ex-wife, Judge Carol Irons [Kent County], on October 19, 1988.



Officer Clarence Ratliff's assault of first wife, while on duty [1975]

Officer Clarence Ratliff's murder of ex-wife Judge Carol Irons [1988]

Officer Clarence Ratliff shot at Officer John Den Boer after killing Judge Irons [1988]

Officer Clarence Ratliff shot at Officer Daniel Ostopowicz after killing Judge Irons [1988]

Officer Clarence Ratliff sentenced for murder of Judge Carol Irons [1989]

Clarence Ratliff's sentence confirmed [1991]

Judge Irons' murderer requests to be freed from prison [2011]

Judge Irons' murderer, Clarence Ratliff dies in prison [2011]







Court Upholds conviction
Ludington Daily News
October 26, 1991
Lansing, Mich [AP] - A former Grand Rapids police officer has lost an appeal of his convictions in the shooting death of his estranged wife in her office in the Kent County Hall of Justice.

The Michigan Court of Appeals, in a ruling released Friday, rejected the request of Clarence Donald Ratliff for a new trial in connection with the Oct. 19, 1988, shooting of District Court Judge Carol Irons.

The 54-year-old former police officer was convicted in May 1989 of one count of voluntary manslaughter in connection with the judge's death. He was also convicted of two counts of assault with intent to murder in connection with shots fired a police officers who had come to her aid, one count of felonious assault and one count of felony firearm.

Ratliff is serving two life terms at the Marquette Branch Prison.

In his appeal, Ratliff maintained he was too drunk at the time of the shooting to intend to kill his wife.

But the appeals court noted that those who served drinks to Ratliff before the shooting testified that he did not appear visibly intoxicated. Ratliff also was able to go to the Hall of Justice, and find Irons in what appeared to be a normal manner.










Court of Appeals upholds conviction of cop for killing his wife, a judge
The Argus -Press, Owosso MI
October 25, 1991
Lansing [AP] - The Michigan Court of Appeals today upheld the conviction of a former Grand Rapids police officer in the shooting death of his wife, District Court Judge Carol Irons.

The three-judge panel rejected the request of Clarence Donald Ratliff for a new trial in connection with the incident.

Ratliff was convicted of one count of voluntary manslaughter in connection with the judge's death. He was also convicted of two countes of assault with intent to murder in connection with shots fired at police officers who had come to her aid, one count of felonious assault and one count of felony firearm.

He was sentenced to concurrent sentences of 10 to 15 years for the manslaughter conviction, life imprisonment for each of the assault with intent to murder convictions and 32 to 48 months for the felonious assault convictions.

Those were to be served consecutively to the mandatory two-year felony-firearm sentence.

Ratliff maintained that he lacked the intent to commit the crimes because he had been drinking prior to the shooting.

But the appeals court noted that those who served Ratliff drinks before the shooting testified that he did not appear visibly intoxicated. Ratliff also was able to go to the Hall of Justice, and find Irons in what appeared to be a normal manner, the ruling said.

The court also rejected Ratliff's claim that the sentences were excessive in order to appease the community outrage over the shooting.

The court said the fact of the case, a police officer shooting a judge in a court house and then shooting at fellow officers - justified the stiff sentences.

"One could not imagine a much more severe set of circumstances for the crime of assault with intent to murder," the ruling said.







ORIGINAL SENTENCES:
MDOC NUMBER: 201810
CURRENT STATUS: PRISONER- RELEASED TO MENTAL HEALTH OR CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCY [10/18/1990]
LOCATION: UNITED STATES PRISON
SECURITY LEVEL: V
EARLIEST RELEASE DATE: LIFE
MAXIMUM DISCHARGE DATE: LIFE

SENTENCE 1:
OFFENSE: WEAPONS- FELONY FIREARM
MCL #: 750.227BA
COURT FILE # : 8846542FC
COUNTY: KENT
CONVICTION TYPE: JURY
MINIMUM SENTENCE: 2 YEARS 0 MONTHS 0 DAYS
MAXIMUM SENTENCE: 2 YEARS 0 MONTHS
DATE OF OFFENSE: 10/19/1988
DATE OF SENTENCE: 06/12/1989

SENTENCE 2:
OFFENSE: WEAPONS- FELONY FIREARM
MCL #: 750.227BA
COURT FILE # : 8846542FC
COUNTY: KENT
CONVICTION TYPE: JURY
MINIMUM SENTENCE: 2 YEARS 0 MONTHS 2 DAYS
MAXIMUM SENTENCE: 2 YEARS 0 MONTHS
DATE OF OFFENSE: 10/19/1988
DATE OF SENTENCE: 06/12/1989

SENTENCE 3:
OFFENSE: MANSLAUGHTER
MCL #: 750.321
COURT FILE # : 8846542FC
COUNTY: KENT
CONVICTION TYPE: JURY
MINIMUM SENTENCE: 10 YEARS 0 MONTHS
MAXIMUM SENTENCE: 15 YEARS 0 MONTHS
DATE OF OFFENSE: 10/19/1988
DATE OF SENTENCE: 06/12/1989

SENTENCE 4:
OFFENSE: ASSAULT W/INTENT TO COMMIT MURDER
MCL #: 750.83
COURT FILE # : 8846542FC
COUNTY: KENT
CONVICTION TYPE: JURY
MINIMUM SENTENCE: LIFE
MAXIMUM SENTENCE: LIFE
DATE OF OFFENSE: 10/19/1988
DATE OF SENTENCE: 06/12/1989

SENTENCE 5:
OFFENSE: ASSAULT W/INTENT TO COMMIT MURDER
MCL #: 750.83
COURT FILE # : 8846542FC
COUNTY: KENT
CONVICTION TYPE: JURY
MINIMUM SENTENCE: LIFE
MAXIMUM SENTENCE: LIFE
DATE OF OFFENSE: 10/19/1988
DATE OF SENTENCE: 06/12/1989


APPEAL: ORDER CONFIRMED

MICHIGAN COURT OF APPEALS
COA Case Number: 120965
SCt Case Number: 92766
PEOPLE OF MICHIGAN

V

CLARENCE DONALD RATLIFF

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 PEOPLE OF MICHIGAN
Oral Argument: Y Timely: Y
PL-AE AG
24029) BLUMER MARK E
312 S JACKSON STREET
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
JACKSON MI 49201
517-788-4283

2 RATLIFF CLARENCE DONALD
Oral Argument: Y Timely: Y
DF-AT RET
(40077) BROOKS BRION J
50 MONROE PLACE STE 700W
GRAND RAPIDS MI 49503
616-235-5500


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Status: Case Concluded; File Archived SCT Status: CLOSE

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

09/20/1989 1 Claim of Appeal - Criminal
Proof Of Service Date: 9/20/1989
Check #: 10518 Fee: $100.00
Attorney:40077 - BROOKS BRION J


06/14/1989 2 Order Appealed From
From: KENT COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT
Case Number: 88-046542-FC
Trial Court Judge: 16129 KOLENDA DENNIS C
Comments: VOL MANS;2CTS ASLT W/I MUR;ASLT W FIREARM;FF


09/28/1989 5 Steno Certificate - Tr Request Received
Date: 9/28/1989
Reporter: 235 - GOODSPEED ELAINE


01/12/1990 6 Notice of Filing Transcript
Date: 1/8/1990
Reporter: 235 - GOODSPEED ELAINE


02/26/1990 7 Stips: Extend Time - AT Brief
Extend Until: 4/2/1990
Filed By Attorney: 40077 - BROOKS BRION J
For Party: 2 RATLIFF CLARENCE DONALD DF-AT


04/02/1990 8 Brief: Appellant
Proof Of Service Date: 4/2/1990
Oral Argument Requested: Y Timely Filed: Y
Filed By Attorney: 40077 - BROOKS BRION J
For Party: 2 RATLIFF CLARENCE DONALD DF-AT


05/04/1990 9 Stips: Extend Time - AE Brief
Extend Until: 6/4/1990
Filed By Attorney: 24029 - BLUMER MARK E
For Party: 1 PEOPLE OF MICHIGAN PL-AE


06/07/1990 10 Brief: Appellee
Proof Of Service Date: 6/7/1990
Oral Argument Requested: Y Timely Filed: Y
Filed By Attorney: 24029 - BLUMER MARK E
For Party: 1 PEOPLE OF MICHIGAN PL-AE


06/12/1990 11 Noticed
Record: REQST Mail Date: 6/12/1990


06/12/1990 12 Oral Arg Advise Ltr Sent
06/15/1990 13 Record Filed
Comments: FILE 12TR (BOX)


06/19/1990 14 Motion: Oral Argument
Proof Of Service Date: 6/18/1990
Filed By Attorney: 24029 - BLUMER MARK E
For Party: 1 PEOPLE OF MICHIGAN PL-AE


06/26/1990 15 Submitted On Administrative Motion Docket
Event: 14 Oral Argument
District: G Item #: 0


07/06/1990 17 Order: Oral Argument - Grant
Event: 14 Oral Argument
Panel: RJD,JA ,JB


03/22/1991 24 Brief: Supplemental Brief - AT
Proof Of Service Date: 3/22/1991
Oral Argument Requested: Timely Filed:
Filed By Attorney: 40077 - BROOKS BRION J
For Party: 2 RATLIFF CLARENCE DONALD DF-AT
Comments: SUPPLEMENTAL AUTHORITY --TO PANEL 3-22-91


04/09/1991 20 Submitted on Case Call
District: G Item #: 2
Panel: KJ ,MIK,TJB


10/24/1991 28 Opinion - Per Curiam - Unpublished
Pages: 2
Panel: KJ,MIK,TJB
Result: L/Ct Judgment/Order Affirmed


11/14/1991 29 SCt: Application for Leave to SCt
Supreme Court No: 92766
Filing Date: 11/14/1991
Notice Date: 12/10/1991
Check No.: 35970
For Party: 2 RATLIFF CLARENCE DONALD DF-AT
Filed By Attorney: 40077 - BROOKS BRION J


11/19/1991 30 Supreme Court - File &
Record Sent To
File Location: Z
Comments: RMTUR; COA FILE; LC FILE; 12 TRANS; SC#92765


11/21/1991 31 SCt: COA File - Received
Record Location:
File Location:
Comments: + KENT - VAULT


12/06/1991 32 SCt: Brief in Opposition to SCt Application
Filing Date: 12/6/1991
Filed By Attorney:24029 - BLUMER MARK E


06/10/1992 34 SCt Order: Deny


07/08/1992 35 Supreme Court - File Ret`d By - Close Out
File Location: F



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case Listing Complete


Saturday, February 9, 1991

02091991 - Officer Bradford King - Diane Marler Newton King murder - NEWS ARTICLES


February 09, 1991:
Diane Newton King - Murdered by her husband
- former Pontiac PD Officer Bradford King-






TV Anchorwoman slain in driveway
Anderson Herald-Bulletin
February 12, 1991












 February 12, 1991

Diane King harassed by letters, phone calls
The Marshall Chronicle
February 12, 1991













February 12, 1991 

Diane Newton King Obituary
The Marshall Chronicle
February 12, 1991












February 12, 1991 

TV anchorwoman slain after receiving threats
The Gazette - Eastern Iowa
February 12, 1991













February 12, 1991 

TV anchorwoman slain in her driveway
Rebuffed man had threatened her by phone and letter
The Orange County Register
February 12, 1991
















February 12, 1991















 February 12, 1991
















February 12, 1991















February 12, 1991















February 12, 1991



















February 13, 1991

Gun used in anchorwoman slaying found
The Galveston Daily News
February 13, 1991













February 13, 1991
Authorities find gun used to kill anchorwoman, focus on 1 suspect
Anderson Herald Bulletin
February 13, 1991










February 13, 1991

Sheriff Department find murder weapon
The Marshall Chronicle
February 13, 1991
















February 13, 1991















February 13, 1991


















February 14, 1991
Olson narrows list of suspects to one
The Marshall Chronicle
February 14, 1991













February 14, 1991
Gun found in slaying of TV newswoman
The Stars and Stripes
February 14, 1991
















February 14, 1991
















February 16, 1991
Precautions didn't save threatened anchor's life
Chronicle-Telegram
February 16, 1991

















February 16, 1991
Arrest in King murder not expected until middle of week
The Marshall Chronicle
February 16, 1991













February 17, 1991

Anchorwoman feared for her life
The Stars and Stripes
February 17, 1991











March 9, 1991

Sheriff looking for owner of King murder weapon
The Marshall Chronicle
March 09, 1991





















February 01, 1992

Man being held in wife's murder
Shooting: The TV anchorwoman was killed last February as she stepped from her car at home
The Register-Guard, Eugene Oregon
February 01, 1992
















February 01, 1992
Husband of slain anchorwoman held
The Albany GA Herald
February 01, 1992
















February 01, 1992
Husband arrested in TV anchor death
Ocala Star-Banner
February 01, 1992





















February 01, 1992

Police arrest husband of slain anchorwoman
The Ironwood Daily Globe
February 01, 1992





















February 01, 1992

Man held year after wife's death
Winnipeg Free Press
February 01, 1992














February 01, 1992
Husband of TV anchorwoman who was fatally shot, was arrested today
Chronicle-Telegram
February 01, 1992














February 01, 1992
Husband arrested year after shooting
Daily Herald
February 01, 1992












February 01, 1992
Man arrested in fatal shooting of TV-anchor wife
The Orange County Register
February 01, 1992


























February 01, 1992
Husband arrested in Diane King murder
Marshall Chronicle
February 01, 1992


















February 01, 1992

Spouse arrested in anchorwoman's death
The Gazette
February 01, 1992














February 01, 1992
Husband of TV anchorwoman arrested
Aiken Standard
February 01, 1992













February 01, 1992
Husband of slain anchorwoman arrested
The Galveston Daily News
February 01, 1992












 February 01, 1992
Husband arrested year after shooting
Daily Herald
February 01, 1992














February 01, 1992
Newswoman's widow held
Husband arrested as prime suspect in TV anchor's slaying
Daily News-Record
February 01, 1992













February 05, 1992
Bradford King waives extradition
The Marshall Chronicle
February 05, 1992















February 08, 1992
Judge postpones custody hearing on King children for a week
Marshall Chronicle
February 08, 1992
















February 11, 1992 
King in Michigan to face charges
The Ironwood Daily Globe
February 11, 1992














 February 11, 1992
Bradford King to be arraigned today
Accused of murdering wife
The Marshall Chronicle
February 11, 1992















February 11, 1992
Accused killer extradited
The Orange County Register
February 11, 1992



















February 11, 1992
Year after anchorwoman's slaying, no more rumors about who done it
Times-News
February 11, 1992





















February 12, 1992
Husband back to face charges of murdering anchorwoman
The Intelligencer
February 12, 1992














February  12, 1992
Gag order sought in King trial
The Marshall Chronicle
February 12, 1992


















February 12, 1992
Husband back in Michigan to face murder charges
The Santa Fe New Mexican
February 12, 1992














February 14, 1992
Husband held in TV anchor's death
Stars and Stripes
February 14, 1992















March 03, 1992
Judge may rule on King motion
Defense alleges judges may be biased
The Marshall Chronicle
March 03, 1992
















March 12, 1992
King trial may start today
The Marshall Chronicle
March 12, 1992














March 13, 1992 

King prelim begins Thursday
The Ironwood Daily Globe
March 13, 1992















March 13, 1992
King murder exam starts
Prosecution begins case against victim's husband
The Marshall Chronicle
March 13, 1992
















March 13, 1992
Victim's mother testifies
The Marshall Chronicle
March 13, 1992















March 19, 1992
Police dog followed trail at King home
Testimony continues in Diane King murder case
The Marshall Chronicle
March 19, 1992
















March  21, 1992
King will stand trial for murder
The Marshall Chronicle
March 21, 1992




















April 03, 1992 
King trial will resume in July
The Marshall Chronicle
April 03, 1992














July 18, 1992 
King murder trial to begin Sept. 1
The Marshall Chronicle
July 18, 1992

















 August 12, 1992
Judge postpones Bradford King trial until November
The Marshall Chronicle
August 12, 1992


















 August 27, 1992
Albion attorney hired
Bradford King dumps defense attorney
The Marshall Chronicle
August 27, 1992













September 22, 1992 
King files motion to be released on bond
The Marshall Chronicle
September 22, 1992














 November 05, 1992
Jury selection slow
Bradford King raises funds for bond
The Marshall Chronicle
November 05, 1992















November 09, 1992 
Jury picked
Bradford King trial may start this week
The Marshall Chronicle
November 09, 1992














 November 13, 1992
King's affairs won't be discussed in court
The Marshall Chronicle
November 13, 1992













November 13, 1992 
Murder trial starts
The Daily Times
November 13, 1992
















November 18, 1992 
Attorneys silent on defense for Bradford King
The Marshall Chronicle
November 18, 1992














November 25, 1992 
King shows no signs of grief
Witness testifies that defendant's personality changed after wife's death
The Marshall Chronicle
November 25, 1992
















 November 27, 1992
Over covered?: Nation's eyes on King trial
The Marshall Chronicle
November 27, 1992
















 November 27, 1992
Court TV a hit at bowling alley
The Marshall Chronicle
November 27, 1992














 December 08, 1992
King verdict may come by end of this week
The Marshall Chronicle
December 08, 1992




















December 10, 1992
Prosecutor: Anchorwoman-wife slain because she wanted to quit her job
The Argus-Press
December 10, 1992
















December 10, 1992
Deliberation expected today in King case
Prosecution claims she was killed because she wanted to quit job
Ludington Daily News
December 10, 1992






















 December 14, 1992
Jury resumes deliberation in Bradford King case
The Marshall Chronicle
December 14, 1992
















December 15, 1992
Former cop killed wife, jury finds
Toledo Blade
December 15, 1992
















December 15, 1992
Man is convicted of murdering his wife, a TV anchorwoman
The Vindicator
December 15, 1992
























 December 15, 1992
King found guilty of murder
The Marshall Chronicle
December 15, 1992
















 December 15, 1992
Husband convicted of killing wife
The Intelligencer
December 15, 1992
















December 15, 1992
Officer convicted
The Orange County Register
December 15, 1992















 December 15, 1992
Jury convicts husband
The Daily Times
December 15, 1992


























December 16, 1992
Jury convicts wife killer
The Stars and Stripes
December 16, 1992















 December 19, 1992
Double-tragedy has effects
Slain anchorwoman's children coping
The Marshall Chronicle
December 19, 1992
















December 21, 1992
Ex-policeman gets life in fatal shooting of wife
Pacific Stars and Stripes
December 21, 1992

















 January 02, 1993
King murder trial
The Dec. 14 conviction of Bradford King for killing his wife, TV morning news anchor Diane
The Marshall Chronicle
January 02, 1993
 















January 06, 1993:
Former Pontiac Police Officer Bradford King was sentenced to life in prison for murdering his wife Diane Newton-King [February 09, 1991] 












 January 06, 1993
Bradford King scheduled for sentencing today
The Marshall Chronicle
January 06, 1993














 January 06, 1993
Ex-cop gets life in murder of wife
The Capital
January 06, 1993
















January 06, 1993
Ex-policeman gets life term for killing wife, a TV anchor
The New York Times
January 06, 1993






















 January 07, 1993
Ex-Officer given life sentence for murdering wife
The Salina Journal
January 07, 1993















January 07, 1993
Ex-officer gets life for killing his wife
Milwaukee Sentinel
January 07, 1993























January 07, 1993 
"I didn't kill my wife"
Bradford King sentenced to life in prison
The Marshall Chronicle
January 07, 1993



















 January 07, 1993
Husband gets life in TV anchor's death
Daily News-Record
January 07, 1993











 January 07, 1993
Husband of slain anchor gets life
The Daily Times
January 07, 1993














 January 07, 1993
Murderer gets life sentence
Ironwood Daily Globe
January 07, 1993
 















 January 07, 1993
Former policeman sentenced
The Gazette
January 07, 1993



















 January 07, 1993
Ex-cop sentenced
The Orange County Register
January 07, 1993













January 15, 1993-
Bradford King filed an appeal on his murder conviction. His conviction was upheld.

























 February 28, 1993
Diane King story will appear on network television in 1994
The Marshall Chronicle
February 28, 1983


















 July 24, 1994
True-crime books look at same murder
Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph
July 24, 1994
























 August 13, 1995
Crime Flashback
The ideal couple ... the fatal shot ... the almost perfect murder
A view to a kill
The Lethbridge Herald
August 13, 1995



















June 24, 2006
Courthouse Step Mavens:
Murder of TV anchorwoman Diane Newton King
June 24, 2006


















 August 25, 2007
Court TV returns to retell story of Diane King's '91 murder
The Marshall Chronicle
August 25, 2007