Meanwhile, Michigan police officers, who commit more severe acts of domestic violence involving the use of firearms, do not serve prison terms. Instead, police officers facing felony domestic violence charges are having their cases pled down under MCL 769.4a. Under MCL 769.4a [Michigan's loophole to the Lautenberg Amendment], an officer serves no prison time, and the officer's felony domestic violence charge is expunged after one year and the officer can re-join his police department.
The felony domestic violence case against Officer Steele [Detroit PD], comes to mind:
http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/03/officer-gary-steele-detroit-pd-030408.html
Faced with multiple felony dv charges and a possible life sentence, Officer Gary Steele had his case plea bargained down under MCL 769.4a. Officer Steele is currently back on the Detroit Police Department.
If MCL769.4a wasn't intentionally amended to become a loophole specifically for police officers facing felony domestic violence charges...then why wasn't this plea bargain available to Terence Kiernan? Why is Kiernan behind bars for thirteen years and Officer Steele is not only a free man, but is once again wearing the badge?
Terrance Shawn Kiernan
Unadilla Township Supervisor, Linda Walker
Detroit News
July 17, 2010
https://infoweb.newsbank.com/
A 52-year-old Unadilla Township man pleaded guilty Friday to holding his ex-wife at gunpoint in her Fowlerville law office in March.
Prosecutors agreed to recommend no more than five years in prison when Terence Kiernan is sentenced Aug. 26.
Authorities said Kiernan pointed a handgun at his ex-wife and demanded she return pension benefits she receives through their divorce settlement.
He faced several charges, including extortion and carrying a concealed weapon.
Man accused of holding ex at gunpoint to go to trial
Detroit News
April 22, 2010
A Unadilla Township man accused of holding his ex-wife at gunpoint in a divorce dispute will be tried in Livingston Circuit Court. Terence Kiernan, 52, waived his right to a preliminary exam Wednesday in 53rd District Court in Howell. He is being held on $1 million bond for allegedly threatening to kill Linda Walker, an attorney and township supervisor, last month unless she agreed to give back half of his pension. Kiernan could get life in prison on six charges, including assault with intent to murder.
Judge decides not to reduce the bond in gun-threat case
Detroit News
April 15, 2010
Fowlerville - A judge Wednesday declined to lower the $1 million bond for a Unadilla Township man who allegedly held his ex-wife at gunpoint. Terence Kiernan, 52, is being held in Livingston County Jail for the March 17 incident. He is accused of threatening Linda Walker, a local attorney and Unadilla Township supervisor, because she received half of his pension in a divorce settlement. He will be in court at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday for a preliminary exam.
Charges changed in case of Unadilla woman held at gunpoint
BY LISA ROOSE-CHURCH
DAILY PRESS and ARGUS
March 24, 2010
http://www.livingstondaily.com/article/20100324/NEWS01/100324012/Charges-changed-in-case-of-Unadilla-woman-held-at-gunpoint
The Livingston County prosecutor’s office revised charges against a Unadilla Township man accused of holding his former wife at gunpoint at her law office in Fowlerville.
Terence Shawn Kiernan, 52, was initially charged in Livingston County District Court with assault with intent to commit murder for allegedly holding his ex-wife, Unadilla Township Supervisor Linda Walker, at gunpoint at her law office on Grand River Avenue in Fowlerville.
However, Prosecutor David Morse revised the charge today to extortion after learning the weapon was not loaded.
Morse said to prove the assault charge he would have had to show that Kiernan had intent to kill Walker, but without a loaded gun that intent disappears.
Kiernan also is charged with felonious assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, carrying a concealed weapon, drunken driving and possession of a firearm under the influence of alcohol.
Kiernan, who is being held in the Livingston County Jail on a $1 million bond, returns to District Court on April 14 for an exam conference.
Walker said she had just returned from lunch March 17 when Kiernan came into her law office shortly after 1 p.m., and pointed a revolver at her. She said she begged him “not to kill me,” and wrestled with him for the gun, but he knocked her to the ground and held the gun at her head.
Walker said Kiernan was angry with her because she receives a portion of his pension benefits through their divorce agreement. She said Kiernan demanded that she return the benefits.
Cops: Divorce deal provoked assault on Unadilla Twp. official
The Detroit News
Valerie Olander
Last Updated: March 20. 2010 1:00AM
http://detnews.com/article/20100320/METRO/3200328/Cops--Divorce-deal-provoked-assault-on-Unadilla-Twp.-official
Fowlerville --The newly ex-husband of Unadilla Township's supervisor is accused of threatening her at gunpoint this week after a divorce settlement gave her half his pension.
Terence Shawn Kiernan, 52, was in the Livingston County Jail on $1 million bond Friday, one day after he was charged with assault with intent to murder and a host of other charges.
Fowlerville Police Chief Tom Couling said Kiernan confronted Linda Walker, who is a lawyer and the Unadilla Township supervisor, at her office about 1 p.m. Wednesday and threatened to kill her.
"He had a handgun pointed to her head and threatened to kill her unless she gave back his pension money," Couling said.
The divorce settlement was finalized last week in Livingston Circuit Court.
At one point, Walker grabbed the gun and a short scuffle ensued, Couling said.
Kiernan left after she agreed to let him have the money.
She called 911.
Unadilla Township Police stopped Kiernan a short time later and found the weapon, a semiautomatic handgun, in his car.
He also was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving, Couling said.
Police are not saying whether the gun was loaded.
Walker did not return phone calls seeking comment.
Kiernan is charged with assault with intent to murder, felonious assault, felony firearm, carrying a concealed weapon, operating a vehicle while intoxicated and possession of a firearm while under the influence.
Kiernan returns Wednesday to 53rd District Court for an exam conference.
Man points gun at ex-wife over divorce dispute, police say
The Detroit News
Valerie Olander
Last Updated: March 19. 2010 7:02PM
http://www.detnews.com/article/20100319/METRO04/3190412/1015/rss04
Howell -- A Unadilla Township man is being held in the Livingston County Jail today on $1 million bond after being charged Thursday with allegedly holding his ex-wife at gunpoint at her Fowlerville law office.
Terence Shawn Kiernan, 52, was angered by a divorce settlement finalized last week and walked into the law office with a gun shortly after 1 p.m. Wednesday, Fowlerville Police Chief Tom Couling said.
His ex-wife, Linda Walker, a local attorney and Unadilla Township supervisor, had been awarded half of his pension in the settlement.
"He had a handgun pointed to her head and threatened to kill her unless she gave back his pension money," Couling said.
At one point, Walker grabbed the gun and a short scuffle ensued, Couling said.
Kiernan left after she agreed to let him have the money. She called 911.
Unadilla Township Police stopped Kiernan a short time later and found the weapon, a semi automatic handgun, in his car. He was also arrested on suspicion of drunken driving, Couling said.
Police are not saying whether the gun was loaded.
Kiernan is charged with assault with intent to murder, felonious assault, felony firearm, carrying a concealed weapon, operating a vehicle while intoxicated and possession of a firearm while under the influence.
Kiernan returns to 53rd District Court March 24 for an exam conference.
Local Attorney and Township Supervisor Held at Gun-Point By Ex-Husband
March 18, 2010
WHMI 93.5 FM Radio Station, Livingston County MI
http://www.whmi.com/news/article/9858
A Unadilla Township man is jailed and awaiting charges for allegedly holding his ex-wife at gunpoint Wednesday.
52 year old Terence Shawn Kiernan was arrested by Unadilla Township Police after his ex-wife, Fowlerville Attorney and Unadilla Township Supervisor Linda Walker, called 911 and said he had attacked and threatened to kill her.
Walker says that when she returned to her law office shortly after 1pm, Kiernan came in the back door and pulled out a gun. Walker reportedly wrestled with Kiernan for the gun but he knocked her to the ground and held the gun to her head, threatening to kill her. Kiernan was allegedly angry because Walker received a portion of his pension benefits through their divorce agreement. He then fled the office after Walker agreed to return the pension benefits. As soon as he left, Walker called 911.
Fowlerville Police Chief Tom Couling tells WHMI that a be-on-the-lookout alert was issued and Tiernan was arrested a short time later by Unadilla Township Police on Donahue Road. Couling says a small handgun was recovered and they are seeking charges of felonious assault against Tiernan, who remains lodged in the Livingston County Jail. (JK)
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