April 25, 2006

 Melissa Chapman #196612

 Robert Scott Correctional Facility

 47500 Five Mile Road

 Plymouth MI 48170

Dear Ms. Chapman:

This office has completed its review of the Application for Pardon or Commutation of Sentence submitted on your behalf by the Michigan Battered Women's Clemency Project. Based on a thorough review of your application and the Parole Board's recommendation, your request for commutation is denied.

In reviewing your application, this office considered your claims that you suffered emotional and physical abuse at the hands of Robert Goodyear and that you were afraid to disobey him. You also claimed that you did not know your husband intended to kill the victim. We noted your good prison record and your efforts to further your education while incarcerated. However, in the end we were not persuaded that the arguments made on your behalf were sufficient to overcome the weight of the jury's finding that you were guilty of aiding and abetting in first degree murder. A jury's verdict of first degree murder is a heavy burden to overcome. Accordingly, this office has concluded that your application should be denied.

Sincerely yours,