In the Media
Four decades of independent examination.
More journalists have examined this case, across more outlets, than almost any conviction in Michigan’s history.
Series and documentaries
The Backfire Effect · Josie Duffy Rice
Pushkin Industries
Sept. 14, 2026
7 episodes
Aaron Habel
FRAMED, Season 3
premiered July 13, 2026
8 episodes + 4 bonus interviews
15 Kensu episodes · Jack Laurence
One Minute Remaining (Australia)
June 2023 – May 2025
15 episodes
“Justice Incarcerated: The Frederick Freeman Story” · independent documentary
Dean Mongan
May 8, 2012
Five-part investigative series · Bill Proctor
WXYZ-TV Channel 7 (Detroit)
Not publicly available
Podcast episodes and broadcast segments
“Framed: The Temujin Kensu Story with Aaron Habel” · ep. 225
Prosecutors Podcast
Aug. 12, 2026
“The ‘Ninja Killer’: Meet The Innocent Man FRAMED By Police, Temujin Kensu”
The Katie Halper Show
June 18, 2025
Nine live streams
Savage Joy · Joy Marie Mann
Jan. 2022 – May 2026
9 streams
Blind Crime presents: Inconceivable: The Story of Temujin Kensu — 1.1 “Preface: Invictus”
Blind Crime
Mar. 21, 2025
“75. Inconceivable With Jason Usry” · Julia Cowley with Jason Usry
The Consult: Real FBI Profilers
Mar. 14, 2025
Episodes with Jason Usry
The Silver Linings Handbook
Mar. 2025
2 parts
Michigan Man Claims Innocence after 38 Years in Prison · Ary Quintana
Davis Vanguard
Apr. 23, 2025
“Man is innocent”: People around the world work to free man with U.P. connection who says he’s wrongfully convicted
TV6, Upper Michigan’s Source (WLUC)
Jan. 31, 2025
“We have to make it right”: Delta County private investigators ask public’s help to free man who says he was wrongfully convicted
TV6, Upper Michigan’s Source (WLUC)
Nov. 13, 2024
Ninja Uses Invisible Airplane to Murder College Student in Parking Lot | Temujin Kensu Case Analysis
Dr. Todd Grande
Dec. 29, 2023
“Fighting wrongful conviction” · Ameera David reporting
WXYZ-TV Detroit | Channel 7
May 23, 2023
“This Man Has Served 35+ Years for a Murder He Says He Didn’t Commit”
NowThis Impact
Aug. 21, 2022
“#269 Jason Flom with Temujin Kensu”
Wrongful Conviction with Jason Flom
June 16, 2022
Episodes 66 and 68 · “Temujin Kensu (Fred Freeman) Part 1: Kung Fu Fighting” and “Temujin Kensu Part 2”
Prosecutors Podcast
2021
2 parts
“14: Temujin Kensu” · Maggie Freleng (Obsessed Network)
Unjust & Unsolved
Nov. 2020
Two-part segment on the Kensu case · Ted Rowlands reporting, with Vinnie Politan
Court TV
July 22, 2020
2 parts
Former Detroit TV reporter spending retirement years on his Proving Innocence project
Michigan Public | NPR
Feb. 17, 2016
Special report · Bill Proctor
WXYZ-TV Detroit, 7 Action News
Jan. 3, 2009
Books
“Our Friend, Temujin: The Wrongful Conviction of Temujin Kensu”
Joy Marie Mann
2025
556 pages
Print and digital journalism
Appeal to Michigan’s governor is the last chance for Temujin Kensu at freedom · Ben Solis
Michigan Advance
June 22, 2026
Do conviction integrity units really work?
Detroit Metro Times
Feb.–Mar. 2026
For nearly 40 years, Temujin Kensu said he is innocent. Will he ever be free? · Mia Thurow and Sofie Hanrahan
Detroit Metro Times
Feb. 24, 2026
Supporters believe Temujin Kensu is a “political prisoner” · Reyna Galvez
Detroit Metro Times
Feb. 24, 2026
Temujin Kensu still denied justice · opinion
The Detroit News
Dec. 25, 2025
Reasonable Doubt, Part II
Detroit Metro Times
Aug. 2025
Reasonable Doubt, Part I
Detroit Metro Times
July 2025
Nessel’s CIU betrayed its mission in Kensu case · opinion
The Detroit News
May 8, 2025
A case that demands justice: Why Temujin Kensu should be freed
Law Enforcement Today
Oct. 23, 2024
Michigan man accused of being in a Canadian ninja gang fears he’ll die in prison. His wife has other plans
The Detroit News
Aug. 4, 2024
Aviation experts dispute plane theory used to convict Michigan’s “ninja killer”
NBC News
Dec. 2023
“Why is it so essential that I die in here?”: What I learned visiting “ninja killer” Temujin Kensu in prison. He’s innocent. · Liam Rappleye
The Michigan Daily (Statement)
Nov. 28, 2023
“Kensu to Gov. Whitmer: Xmas plea for freedom, deliverance and life for Michigan prisoners”
Voice of Detroit
Dec. 21, 2022
Temujin Kensu has spent 36 years behind bars for a murder he says he did not commit
Detroit Metro Times
June 2022
“Advocates condemn Michigan AG’s denial of relief for lifer Temujin Kensu, say CIU has ‘betrayed all’” · Diane Bukowski
Voice of Detroit
June 4, 2022
“Michigan AG declines to pursue release of man known as ‘ninja killer’”
NBC News
May 2022
Attorney General’s Office Won’t Upset Conviction In 1986 Port Huron Murder
CBS News Detroit (AP)
May 19, 2022
Ninja killer or wrongfully convicted man?
NBC News
2021
Gov. Whitmer Rejects Clemency For Man In ’86 Port Huron Murder
CBS News Detroit (AP)
Jan. 4, 2021
“Man convicted in 1987 murder case fights to have conviction overturned” · Victor Williams
WDIV Local 4 / ClickOnDetroit
Nov. 3, 2020
“What You Should Know About Fred Freeman (Temujin Kensu)”
Innocence Project
June 3, 2020
Attorney petitions Governor Gretchen Whitmer for release of ill inmate he says is innocent
Michigan Public | NPR
May 28, 2020
Decades in prison for murder he couldn’t have committed · Nolan Finley
The Detroit News
Dec. 26, 2019
Attorneys hope man imprisoned 31 years for murder will soon be freed · Tracy Samilton
Michigan Public | NPR
Jan. 29, 2018
Michigan Drops Appeal In Major $325,000 Verdict For Prisoner
CBS News Detroit (AP)
Mar. 11, 2017
Michigan Will Appeal $325K Verdict In Favor Of Prisoner With Chronic Pain
CBS News Detroit (AP)
May 7, 2016
Jury Awards $325,000 To Michigan Prisoner In Dispute Over Health Care
CBS News Detroit (AP)
Apr. 14, 2016
TV reporter spends retirement investigating brutal murder · Jessica Lussenhop
BBC News Magazine
Dec. 21, 2015
No New Trial For Man Serving Life Sentence In ’86 Port Huron Death
CBS News Detroit (AP)
Aug. 1, 2015
Man Convicted In ’86 Slaying Loses Commutation Bid
CBS News Detroit (AP)
Dec. 21, 2010
Governor won’t commute sentence of man who may be innocent of murder
Michigan Public | NPR
Dec. 21, 2010
Our View: Legal System Didn’t Uphold Its Integrity
Port Huron Times Herald
Oct. 20, 2010
Mich. Parole Board Will Consider Port Huron Case
CBS News Detroit (AP)
Sept. 8, 2010
The case has been in the media since 1987. It needs to be on her desk.
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