1975 prison escapee faces court

SAGINAW, Mich., Aug. 19 (UPI) -- A woman who allegedly escaped from a Michigan prison 32 years ago is back in jail and trying to fight her original sentence.

Susan LeFevre appeared in District Court in Saginaw Monday and after waiving a preliminary hearing was scheduled for arraignment Aug. 28.

She was sentenced to 10-20 years for selling heroin to an undercover police officer in 1975, but allegedly jumped the fence at a correctional facility just over a year later. Since then, LeFevre, 53, has lived quietly as a wife and mother of three in an affluent San Diego suburb until being recaptured in April, The Detroit News reported Tuesday.

Her attorney, William Swor, has filed a motion claiming LeFevre's original sentence was unjust because a mandatory 10-20 year sentence for a first-time offender has since been ruled improper by the Michigan Supreme Court.

"We have argued all along she was improperly sentenced in the Saginaw court -- that it was an illegal sentence," Swor said. "We're seeking to have that voided and resentenced."

But the Wayne County prosecutor is now seeking to add a potential five years for the escape to LeFevre's sentence.

"Inmates must know there is a consequence for escaping prison," prosecutor Kym Worthy said.