Longtime Lake Orion resident Ione Drum, 94, and her daughter, Gayle Garcia are looking for help.
The two are seeking letters of support for their son and brother, Larry Drum — who has spent 16 years a ward of the Michigan Corrections Department.
‘We received some good news,? Garcia, a Lapeer resident said. ‘The state is going to give Larry a public parole hearing.?
This was a surprise, as last year Governor Jennifer Granholm denied his request for commutation, and that the parole board would not review his case.
Drum, 70, is serving a life sentence, plus two 10-20 years to be served consecutively for having 650 grams of cocaine.
He was busted by the Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET) in a 1986 sting operation at his Birmingham apartment.
Drum was sentenced in 1992 by then Oakland County Circuit Court Judge, Barry Howard, who is now in private practice.
Howard gave Drum the maximum sentence allowed under the states old ?650-lifer? law signed into effect by then Gov. William Milliken.
The law has since been taken off the books, and Milliken, along with many others took on Drum’s case, urging Granholm a commutation.
‘He’s (Drum) served long enough and his family has suffered terribly. I am hopeful when she (Gov. Granholm) receives his request, she gives full consideration to commuting his sentence,? Milliken said in November of 2005.
A series of articles first published in The Lake Orion Review, moved folks to pen at least 90 letters of support for the Drum family. The family is hoping to repeat that outpouring of support, letters and prayers.
‘We can use all the help we can get,? Garcia said. ‘At the public hearing we can submit new letters and people can show up and speak in Larry’s support.?
The hearing has yet to be scheduled, but will be at the Macomb County Regional Correctional Facility in New Haven.
Those who want to write a letter can send it in care of Gayle Garcia, 588 Deanna Dr., Lapeer, MI 48446.
If you wish to talk to Garcia, send your name and phone number, via e-mail to dontrushmedon@charter.net. Review Assistant Publisher Don Rush will forward it.
Larry Drum is a 1955 Lake Orion High School graduate and served in the United States Marine Corps.