(WWJ) A Michigan woman who has been in prison for more than 30 years is set to be released today after being granted clemency by former Governor Rick Snyder.
Melissa Chapman was among 26 prisoners who were granted commutations by in December. Police say Chapman was 18 in 1987 ... when she was arrested and charged with murder in the death of Michael Keith Gaines. Police say Chapman's boyfriend, Robert Goodyear, shot Gaines because he thought he was flirting with Chapman.
Chapman testified that Goodyear threatened to kill her if she didn't help hide the body. She was later arrested and convicted of the crime.
Clemency was granted clemency days after freep.com profiled Chapman among women who were serving life in prison for crimes tied to domestic violence and abuse.
"I can't wait to go out and look at the stars in the sky, just lay out on the ground and watch and see how beautiful they are," Chapman told the Freep when she got the news of her impending release. "Here, I can't go out and watch a sunrise. … I'll never take it for granted again. … To be able to appreciate the littlest things are so monumental to me."
