it: Comment online at hometownlife.com 75 cents WINNERS OF STATE AND NATIONAL AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE mmmmmmiMmmMmmmmmmMm www.hometownlife.com BY DARRELLCLEM positions trimmed from Mayor painful cost-cutting measures proposed $60.6 million spend- tions of overzealous police. they leave the parking lot, even OBSERVES STAFF WRITER William Wild's new budget. to avert a possible financial ing blueprint. Godbou£ indicated that bars before they reach the Circuit But Charles Pickering's pro- crisis. Wild and two high-ranking all across town have com- City store to the west. With revenues from drunken posal to fill the positions has "We're trying to be as fair as council members, President plained that Westland's reputa- Godbout called it "a double- driving arrests declining, a drawn opposition from Wild possible" while struggling to James Godbout and Cheryl tion for stopping drivers could edged sword" of balancing Westland City Council mem- and some council members strengthen a budget surplus Graunstadt, said a decision to scare customers away. He said intensive alcohol enforcement ber has proposed boosting who say that all departments, that has dipped to $1.8 million, hire two officers specifically patrons of Malarke/s Irish efforts with concerns voiced by alcohol enforcement efforts by including the 100-member Wild said Monday, in the lat- in hopes of snagging drunken Pub on Warren Road have reinstating two police officer police force, have to share in est round of talks involving his drivers could add to percep- been pulled over as soon as Please see PROPOSAL, A2 Judge: Convicted teen 'would kill again' BY BRAD KADRICH OBSERVER STAFF WRITER Calling his actions "evil" and expressing gratitude for the jury that convicted him, Wayne Circuit Court Judge Annette Berry did the only thing she could do under Michigan law following Jean Pierre Orlewicz's conviction last month. She sent him to prison for the rest of his life. Berry on Monday sentenced Orletvic-K (.lie iH-vear oidtroro Plymouth Township, to life sentences without possibility of parole on the first-degree Jean Pierre Oriewicz enters the courtroom for his sentencing. He was and felony murder counts on sentenced to life without parole on the first-degree and felony murder which a jury last month con- charges, plus 50 months to 10 years for mutilating a body. victed Orlewicz in the stab- bing, beheading and dismem- Canton garage Nov. 7, then Westland, never believed that berment of 26-year-old Daniel burned his fingertips with a defense, and nothing has hap- Sorensen of River Rouge. blow-torch in an effort to hide pened to change their mind. And, while Orlewicz stood the identity. He then beheaded Orlewicz's former co-defen- silently before her, speaking Sorensen and dumped his dant, Alexander Letkemann only to answer questions, Berry body in a Northville Township of Westland, described the had plenty to say. field; setting it on fire. He then crime in horrific detail during "It's still hard for the court to dumped Sorensen's head in the the trial, after having pleaded fathom why someone would do Rouge River. guilty to second-degree murder something as heinous and evil Orlewicz claimed self- , in the case. as what you have done," Berry defense, but a jury didn't buy Letkemann is serving a told Orlewicz. "There is a dif- it and, after some 12 hours of sentence of 20-30 years. ference between mental illness deliberation, found him guilty The Sorensens have forgiven and evil... your actions are tan- on all counts April 16. him his role and, at his sen- • tamount to evil. Orlewicz's attorney, James tencing last month, praised "I'm grateful the jury con- Thomas, said he'll appeal. Letkemann's decision to victed you," she added. "I'm "We have issues (to appeal)," "accept responsibility" for his grateful you are going away for Thomas said. "We had a posi- actions. They had no such kind the rest of your life. I believe tion in this case it was self- words Monday for Orlewicz. BILL BRESLER | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER you woul(j haye ki]led again » defense. We still think that." "Even a person who takes a James Sorensen of Westland, with wife Kimberley, fights back tears during his statement at the sentencing of Jean Orlewicz repeatedly stabbed Sorensen's parents, James Pierre Orlewicz, convicted of killing their son, Daniel. Sorensen in his grandfather's and Kimberly Sorensen of Please see ORLEWICZ, A2 Wayne County commission race Westland man charged with stealing from ba BY DARRELLCLEM Monday in Romulus 34th as he awaits his hearing. OBSERVER STAFF WRITER . District Court. He was Moner was arrested May attracts crowd of candidates accused by airport authori- 10 by airport police at A Westland man is fac- ties of being caught on a the McNamara terminal, 8Y DARRELL CLEM Livonia. ing as her legislative aide; ing a court hearing May 21 security camera taking a Worthy announced. He OBSERVER STAFF WRITER In other political races, Paul Citkowski, a Westland amid charges he stole from Sony digital camera from a had been an employee of incumbent state Rej>. Richard resident; Joan Gebhardt of baggage while, working at suitcase and then placing it Prospect Airport Services, Veteran Wayne County LeBlanc, D-Westland, will face Livonia, a Schoolcraft College Detroit Metro Airport. in his personal backpack. aind his duties included tag- Commissioner Kay Beard's the same Republican challeng- trustee and district staffer William Joseph Moner's Wayne County Prosecutor ging and scanning bags for abrupt resignation in March er he defeated two years ago, for state Rep. Andy Dillon, preliminary hearing will Kym Worthy announced the Northwest Airlines, accord- after a 30-year reign has led to GOP hopeful Sam Durante. D-Redford; James Godbout, determine whether he charges-Monday. Moner's ing to the prosecutor's a wide field of candidates seek- LeBlanc represents the 18th Westland City Council presi- should stand trial in Wayne arrest was the latest of office. ing to replace her. District, which includes dent; Hilliard Hampton, County Circuit Court on reports of thefts from bag- Moner couldn't be Eight Democrats and two Westland only. inkster mayor; Wanda Harris- three counts of larceny in gage at the airport. reached for comment. Republicans beat Tuesday's With Beard leaving her 12th Foster, former Inkster City a building. If convicted, A not-guilty plea was A Romulus court clerk candidate filing deadline for District county commission Council member; Douglas he could face penalties entered for him in court, indicated Tuesday that he the 12th District, according to seat, Democratic hopefuls Kaye, an attorney who lives in ranging up to four years in and a Romulus clerk said hadn't yet posted bond. the Wayne County Elections include appointee Ronaele Livonia; and Dan Wilson of prison. the defendant was jailed Office. The district includes Bowman, who was chosen Moner, 31, was arraigned with a $40,000 cash bond dclemfhometownlife.com 1 (734)953-2110 Westland, Inkster and south to replace Beard after work- Please see CANDIDATES, A2 © The Observer & Eccentric We beat any AT&T Wireless Offer INDEX Newspapers For Home APARTMENTS C3 Delivery call: AUTOMOTIVE C8 Volume 43 (866) 887-2737 CROSSWORD PUZZLE C6 Number 101 HOMETOWKLiFE D1 i JOBS Only at.. OBITUARIES OPINION We beat any The Corner of Ford PINK & Merriman Roads, REAL ESTATE AT&T Garden City SERVICE GUIDE Good nutrition essential Wireless Offer 734.421.8000 SPORTS when in sports Observer & Eccentric | Thursday, May 15,2008 A2 (W) www.hometownllfe.com (Orlewicz) someone away for the rest of life was not of any value," she WAYNE-WESTLAND STUDENT OF THE MONTH took the ulti- their lives. said. "The lives he has affect- FROM PAGE A1 mate act of "I disagree/' Sorensen said. ed, the pain and terror he Name: Catherine Meyerhoff, 10 gymnastics classes and competes in cowardice and "The heinous nature of this brought upon my son... I look Grade/School: Fifth-grade at dance competitions. Yet, aside from refused to take crime shows Mr. Orlewicz at this young man and I can't Schweitzer Elementary, Westland ail of these fantastic achievements, life in self-defense will express accountability." should never be allowed to live bring myself to hate him. Parents: Jeff and Sandie the real reason I believe Katie should horror and remorse," James James among us again." "I hate what he did," she Meyerhoff be nominated is because of the. Sorensen said. "There has Sorensen said Sffll, Kimberly Sorensen added. "This has altered our Nominated by: person she is. She os bright, curious, been no remorse, no sorrow Berry he'd heard admitted she can't conjure up lives for the remainder of our teacher Jamie, sweet, funny and a kind child. I know ; ... only the arrogance of not "the pundits" any hatred for Orlewicz. days." Owen that no dream is beyond her reach in' wanting to be punished for his on television saying 18 years "(Orlewicz) threw everything Reason for the future. actions. When he was caught old is too young an age to send away when he decided my son's [email protected] | (734) 459-2700 nomination: I Future plans:! have had allergies am nominating my whole life and they are really bad, my student, Katie so when I get older, I want to be an Meyerhoff, for allergist to help children overcome one Republican to square off campaign. cally of LeBlanc but said he s'everal reasons. Catherine their allergies. CANDIDATES in the November general elec- "I certainly wouldn't take has issues he personally hopes First, Katie excels Meyerhoff What do you like about school: PAGE A! tion.