Man in jail for attempted murder accused of murdering cellmate at Macomb County prison

Michael Ketchum faces possible life in prison without parole

Michael Leroy Ketchum (WDIV)

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – A man who was being held in the Macomb Correctional Facility will stand trial in connection with the death of his cellmate and assault of another man in the prison.

Michael Ketchum was bound over for court Thursday, March 14, on charges of first-degree murder, assault with intent to murder and prisoner in possession of a weapon. The charges stem from an incident that took place in October 2022. According to authorities, Ketchum went to breakfast and stabbed another inmate eight times. After the assault, officers went to Ketchum’s cell and found his cellmate dead under his bed. The cellmate had been tied up, strangled and stabbed to death.

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Background: Man in Macomb County prison accused of killing cellmate before stabbing another man 8 times in head, neck

Ketchum has since been moved to another facility in Ionia County.

Ketchum had been previously convicted of assault with intent to murder, prisoner possessing weapons, prisoner possessing contraband, armed robbery, maintaining a lab involving methamphetamine and kidnapping.

If convicted, Ketchum faces the possibility of life in prison without parole.

He is scheduled to return to court on April 1.


About the Author

Dane Kelly is a digital producer who has been covering various Michigan news stories since 2017.

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