News@noon: Parole letters, Ausmus, politics and clowns

The Detroit News

Today is Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016, and we've got a tragic twist in the Dearborn Heights quadruple homicide case.

A decade ago, pastor Fred Harris wrote letters supporting the parole of killer Gregory Green, who now stands accused of attacking Harris' daughter and killing his four grandchildren.

Gregory Green was repeatedly denied parole more than two decades after killing his wife and unborn child because he showed little remorse and blamed his victim for his actions, according to documents from the Michigan Department of Corrections.

"Gregory and I were friends before his mishap and he was incarcerated,” Harris wrote on Aug. 17, 2005. “I feel he has paid for his unfortunate lack of self control and the damage he has caused as much as possible and is sorry. This will not restore the lives that were taken; he will carry that with him for the rest of his life.”

Green was incarcerated for 16 years over the July 14, 1991, murder of his former wife, Tonya Green, and their unborn child. He was released in 2008.

A judge today ordered a psychiatric evaluation for Green, who allegedly attacked his wife, Faith Harris-Green, and killed her four children last month.

Here's what else is happening today:

Ausmus roars back

A source close to internal negotiations told The News late Tuesday that manager Brad Ausmus will return for a fourth year. The team hasn't officially confirmed anything, but an announcement is expected soon.
The news comes after the Tigers quietly fell out of playoff contention on Sunday.
In the wake of the Tigers' collapse, Detroit News writers tossed in their two-cents on how to do better next year.

Republican vice-presidential nominee Gov. Mike Pence and Democratic vice-presidential nominee Sen. Tim Kaine walk off the stage after the vice-presidential debate at Longwood University in Farmville, Va., Oct. 4, 2016.

Politics

Vice presidential candidates Tim Kaine and Mike Pence put on a good, clean fight in their first debate yesterday evening, according to editorial writer Nolan Finley. "No insults. No gotcha moments. No smirking. And no crazy," he wrote.
Ballot selfies? A man from Portage is taking on an 1891 law prohibiting photography inside voting booths, saying it violates his First Amendment right to free speech.
Meanwhile, Bill Clinton on Monday offered a blistering assessment on the Affordable Care Act, a law his wife hopes to shield from Republicans if she is elected president in November.

The clown-masked man appeared at the Walgreens on Telegraph at about 9:30 p.m., wearing a black hoodie, and brandishing a handgun, according to photos taken by cameras in the store.

More clowns

We warned you about clowns in yesterday's News@noon, and it has gotten worse since then. Police are probing alleged clown attacks in Sterling Heights, while a man in a clown mask robbed a Walgreens in Brownstown Township.

The Fugitive

Nicholas Mosher is back in custody after more than a week on the run, according to officials. Mosher was originally arrested on charges including domestic assault, but escaped during a prisoner transfer Sept. 24.

Is this possible?

The U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Safety Council announced plans today to eliminate all traffic fatalities and injuries in the United States within the next 30 years. Efforts would start with increased use of seat belts and rumble strips, and later focus on the development of self-driving vehicles.

Detroit News at noon is a daily roundup of the most talked-about stories on detroitnews.com. For more anytime, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, Instagram (@detroitnews), Snapchat (Search for "Detroitnews") and LinkedIn.

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