Temujin Kensu ~Wrongfully Convicted Needs Your Help!
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About Temujin
Temujin Kensu (born Fredrick Thomas Freeman, May 23, 1963) was convicted in 1987 of a Port Huron college student’s murder—despite no murder weapon, no gunshot residue, and an alibi so strong prosecutors concocted a “flying carpet” charter-plane theory to explain away nine witnesses. He later changed his name to reflect his new faith in life, and the path it set him on. He became a fearless “jailhouse lawyer,” winning landmark suits on prisoners’ rights—only to be punished by medical neglect and denial of care.
Evidence of Innocence & Advocacy
- Nine unimpeached alibi witnesses placed him in Escanaba, MI (450 miles away) at the time of the shooting.
- Jailhouse informant recanted false testimony and admitted to inducements for lying.
- Leading eyewitness-identification expert called his photo lineup “the most egregiously biased” she’d ever reviewed.
- U.S. District Judge Denise Page Hood granted habeas relief in 2010, citing prosecutorial misconduct by the trial prosecutor—who went on to become a federal judge—though it was later overturned on procedural grounds.
In 2020, the Michigan Innocence Clinic submitted clemency paperwork; Governor Whitmer’s office and the new Conviction Integrity Unit have yet to act.
Our Mission
After nearly 39 years behind bars for a crime he could not have committed, 62-year-old Temujin Kensu still waits for justice. Despite overwhelming alibi evidence—nine unimpeached witnesses placing him 400+ miles away at the time of the murder—procedural roadblocks and prosecutorial misconduct have kept him locked up. He has spent decades advocating for fellow inmates’ rights, suing the state for medical neglect—and now faces brutal retaliation as Michigan denies him lifesaving surgeries, treatments, and medications.
Health Crisis Behind Bars
Temujin suffers from:
- Brain tumor
- Polymyopathy
- Degenerative disc disease
- Severe immune disorders
- Heart and lung disease
Denied surgeries and treatments
The Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) has repeatedly withheld critical care, worsening his condition.
Why We Need Your Help
Temujin’s health is failing. He suffers from:
- Brain tumor and severe combined immune disease
- Polymyopathy that weakens and degrades muscles
- Spinal degenerative disc disease and joint deterioration
- Chronic respiratory issues exacerbated by COVID-19
- The Michigan Department of Corrections has repeatedly cancelled his corrective surgeries and refused to fill doctor-prescribed medications.
Funds raised will cover:
- Emergency medical expenses: specialist consults, MRI costs, surgery co-pays
- Legal fees: clemency petitions, appeals, investigative experts
- Support for Paula and Temujin: travel for family visits, lodging, daily essentials
Retaliation Tactics by MDOC
MDOC has responded to his advocacy with:
- Denial or delay of medically necessary surgeries, treatments, and medications as “discipline” for his lawsuits
- Retaliatory and fraudulent misconduct charges fabricated to justify further restrictions and tarnish his record
- Illegal seizures of lawfully acquired and possessed property, including medical care items and legal materials essential to his advocacy
- Deliberately destructive “cell searches” carried out with the intent to intimidate Temujin and others into silence and compliance
- Restriction of law-library access and confiscation of legal materials, undermining his ability to assist fellow inmates
- Unwarranted transfers and placement in restrictive housing whenever he threatens new litigation
- Withholding of supportive devices (e.g., knee braces, specialized diets) to exacerbate his ailments and deter advocacy
These retaliatory actions are not isolated incidents—they represent a coordinated campaign to suppress prisoner rights and punish those who challenge systemic abuse. These tactics aim to silence Temujin and discourage others from seeking justice.
From Temujin’s Supporters:
- “There wasn’t anyone to push back when something went wrong. That’s why he’s still in prison.” — Imran Syed, Michigan Innocence Project
- “How do you put time limits on innocence?” — Dave Sanders, Proving Innocence
- “After administrating the polygraph exam to Fredrick Freeman, studying the case as to testimony, evidence, etc., in my opinion this is the worst case of a wrongful conviction ever seen in my 42 years in law enforcement.” – Chester S. Romatowski, Michigan State Police polygrapher for 25 years and 17 years with the Oakland County Sheriff's Department.
- “Reading the trial transcript as an outsider, you just had this smell of the whole thing. I don’t see how they could convict the guy. Had I been the trial judge, I hope I would have had the guts to throw the case out.” – Thomas Brennan, former Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice.
- “There wasn’t the evidence to convict him. It just wasn’t there. There’s a lot more information behind what appeared at trial. It’s some scary shit.” – Hank Glaspie, a private investigator and former FBI special agent.
- “It was circumstantial, all circumstantial. We have no evidence” – a direct quote from Richard Pelligren, a juror of the trial, commenting on the prosecutor’s speculative, unsubstantiated theory that Mr. Freeman chartered a plane from Escanaba to Port Huron and back to commit the murder.
- "Temujin Kensu is a living martyr of justice unjustly denied. Incarceration is poignant. Prolonged imprisonment cripples the morale and motivation of the incarcerated....When the Governor, under law, exercising discretion to free those imprisoned through clemency, that discretion should be exercised objectively and dispassionately. Let us hope that the day is not far away when Temujin sees the day light of freedom and breaths free air." - Dr. K P Kylasanatha Pillay, MA, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India, Law Teacher
Learn More & Take Action
Sign the Petition
Donate & Share
Your support helps fund:
- Urgent medical care
- Legal appeals and clemency efforts
- Advocacy for prison reform
- Share his story. Demand justice. Help #FreeTemujin from #MiWrongfulConviction.
Featured Media Coverage
NBC News: Michigan AG declines to pursue release of man known as ‘ninja killer’
️ Undisclosed Podcast: State v Fred Freeman (4-part series)
The Prosecutors Podcast: Kung Fu Fighting
Inconceivable – The Temujin Kensu Story (Spotify)
Davis Vanguard: Michigan Man Claims Innocence after 38 Years in Prison
Official Website(s)
These sites include a full list of media links, updates, legal documents, donation links, and ways to support Temujin’s fight for justice.
Last but not least, check out, "Our Friend, Temujin: The Wrongful Conviction of Temujin Kensu" – A powerful overview of Temujin Kensu’s case, featuring voices of support from across his decades-long journey. All proceeds go directly to the author, Joy Marie Mann, who poured herself into this work — while navigating life 90% blind.
Available here: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Organizer
Paula Kensu
Organizer
Lewiston, MI