By Alethia Kasben
Gongwer News Service
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald and Attorney General Dana Nessel filed a joint motion earlier this month opposing the parole of a man convicted of murdering his wife in 1977.
The family of the late Deborah Humenny Moran also opposes the parole of her estranged husband and killer, Leslie Moran.
In September 1976, Leslie Moran purchased two guns and lured Deborah Humenny Moran to his home with a false story. He shot her multiple times, killing her. She was 22 years old at the time.
Leslie Moran is currently 85 years old and incarcerated at the Egeler Reception and Guidance Center.
In April 1977, Leslie Moran was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of second-degree murder. He was denied parole in 2010, 2017 and 2022. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer denied his commutation request in November 2025, a press release from McDonald’s office said.
“While Deborah Humenny Moran cannot speak for herself at the parole board, her family continues to advocate for her memory,” McDonald said in a statement. “Her killer has never shown remorse or taken responsibility for his crime. We cannot allow him to escape accountability, even a half-century later.”
The Parole Board granted parole to Leslie Moran on April 13, 2026.
The joint motion to stay Leslie Moran’s parole was filed in Oakland County Circuit Court last week. On May 20, the court granted a stay of parole until it can rule on the petition.
“Granting parole to an individual who refuses to accept responsibility, blames his victim, and continues to present a threat to public safety is unacceptable and a clear abuse of discretion by the Parole Board,” Nessel said. “My office is committed to working alongside the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office and Deborah’s family to ensure this convicted murderer remains behind bars and justice is upheld.”
The joint motion argues substantial and compelling reasons existed for the Parole Board to depart from the parole guidelines in this case, where prisoner Moran has not shown true remorse, has not accepted full responsibility, continues to blame the victim for his actions and has been less than forthright with the Board.
McDonald and Nessel also argue that the Parole Board clearly abused its discretion in choosing not to depart from the parole guidelines for these substantial and compelling reasons.
“For nearly 50 years, Inmate Moran has refused to accept responsibility, instead blaming Debby, the psychologist, the courts, and anyone else he can while changing his story again and again,” said Sandra Humenny, Deborah’s sister. “Michigan’s leaders have long recognized the danger he poses. Since 1977, six Governors have denied every commutation request he has filed. In November 2025, Governor Gretchen Whitmer denied his latest request – following the Parole Board’s own recommendation of denial.”
Gongwer News Service
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald and Attorney General Dana Nessel filed a joint motion earlier this month opposing the parole of a man convicted of murdering his wife in 1977.
The family of the late Deborah Humenny Moran also opposes the parole of her estranged husband and killer, Leslie Moran.
In September 1976, Leslie Moran purchased two guns and lured Deborah Humenny Moran to his home with a false story. He shot her multiple times, killing her. She was 22 years old at the time.
Leslie Moran is currently 85 years old and incarcerated at the Egeler Reception and Guidance Center.
In April 1977, Leslie Moran was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of second-degree murder. He was denied parole in 2010, 2017 and 2022. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer denied his commutation request in November 2025, a press release from McDonald’s office said.
“While Deborah Humenny Moran cannot speak for herself at the parole board, her family continues to advocate for her memory,” McDonald said in a statement. “Her killer has never shown remorse or taken responsibility for his crime. We cannot allow him to escape accountability, even a half-century later.”
The Parole Board granted parole to Leslie Moran on April 13, 2026.
The joint motion to stay Leslie Moran’s parole was filed in Oakland County Circuit Court last week. On May 20, the court granted a stay of parole until it can rule on the petition.
“Granting parole to an individual who refuses to accept responsibility, blames his victim, and continues to present a threat to public safety is unacceptable and a clear abuse of discretion by the Parole Board,” Nessel said. “My office is committed to working alongside the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office and Deborah’s family to ensure this convicted murderer remains behind bars and justice is upheld.”
The joint motion argues substantial and compelling reasons existed for the Parole Board to depart from the parole guidelines in this case, where prisoner Moran has not shown true remorse, has not accepted full responsibility, continues to blame the victim for his actions and has been less than forthright with the Board.
McDonald and Nessel also argue that the Parole Board clearly abused its discretion in choosing not to depart from the parole guidelines for these substantial and compelling reasons.
“For nearly 50 years, Inmate Moran has refused to accept responsibility, instead blaming Debby, the psychologist, the courts, and anyone else he can while changing his story again and again,” said Sandra Humenny, Deborah’s sister. “Michigan’s leaders have long recognized the danger he poses. Since 1977, six Governors have denied every commutation request he has filed. In November 2025, Governor Gretchen Whitmer denied his latest request – following the Parole Board’s own recommendation of denial.”
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