Cop killer loses bid to get out of sentence
GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (WOOD) — Nearly 30 years after he went to prison for killing a Grand Haven police officer, Keith L. Harbin continues to try — unsuccessfully — to have his life sentence nixed.
For the second time this year, a panel of Michigan judges has refused to grant a 'motion for relief' filed by the 52-year-old cop killer.
His latest rejection came on May 22 from the Michigan Supreme Court. Justices wrote that the relief Harbin was asking for is prohibited by state law.
The Court of Appeals in February also said it would not revisit the case.
Harbin, locked up at a state prison in Macomb County, has tried unsuccessfully to have various convictions and sentences tossed.
He's argued unsuccessfully that his constitutional protection against double jeopardy was violated and that he should have been given a change of venue.
Harbin was convicted of first-degree murder in the shooting death of Grand Haven Public Safety Officer Scott Flahive. Flahive was gunned down Dec. 13, 1994, by Harbin after Harbin escaped from the Ottawa County Jail.
Prior to killing Flahive, Harbin severely beat an Ottawa County Jail guard before making good his escape.
Harbin was assisted by others in the escape. During a traffic stop on Beacon Boulevard, Harbin, hiding in the back seat, fatally shot Flahive with a hunting rifle.
Flahive's memory is honored with a monument in Grand Haven. In December 2019, a section of US-31 was renamed 'Officer Scott Flahive Memorial Highway' in his honor.
Flahive had served with the Grand Haven Department of Public Safety for four years when he was killed.
His name was read aloud earlier this month at a police officers' memorial service in Grand Rapids.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
21 minutes ago
- CBS News
Who was Melissa Hortman, Minnesota lawmaker killed in targeted shootings?
A manhunt is underway for a suspect who officials say shot and killed Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband overnight. State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also injured in what Gov. Tim Walz called "politically motivated" shootings. Hortman and her husband were shot in Brooklyn Park, while Hoffman and his wife were shot in Champlin. The search for the suspect continues. A law enforcement source tells CBS News the FBI is assisting with the investigation. Who was Melissa Hortman? Hortman, 55, represented Minnesota House District 34B as a member of the Democratic Party. Her district covers Brooklyn Park, Coon Rapids and Champlin. Hortman also served as the Speaker Emerita of the Minnesota House. Hortman was elected to the Minnesota Legislature in 2004 and was in her 11th term. She is married and has two children. Last month, Hortman talked to WCCO in the lead-up to the potential special session where lawmakers finished up the budget. Melissa Hortman CBS Who is John Hoffman? Hoffman, 60, represents Minnesota Senate District 34, which covers a swath of the northwest Twin Cities suburbs, including Rogers and Champlin. He was also a member of the Democratic Party. Hoffman was first elected to serve in 2012, and was reelected three times after. He served as chair of the Human Services Committee, and also served on committees for energy, environment and health and human services. He was born in 1965. He has one child. Minnesota Sen. John Hoffman Minnesota Senate photographer's office This story will be updated.
CNN
28 minutes ago
- CNN
Gov. Walz gives update on ‘politically-motivated assassination' of Minnesota lawmakers
Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, were shot and killed early Saturday morning in 'what appears to be a politically-motivated assassination,' Governor Tim Walz said at a news conference. State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were also targeted by the same individual and each shot multiple times, Walz said, but are alive.
News24
30 minutes ago
- News24
‘Politically motivated assassination': US state lawmakers shot, one killed
A Democratic state lawmaker and her husband were killed early on Saturday in what appeared to be a "politically motivated assassination," while a second lawmaker and his spouse were wounded in a separate attack, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said. "An unspeakable tragedy has unfolded in Minnesota - my good friend and colleague, Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, were shot and killed early this morning in what appears to be a politically motivated assassination," he told reporters. "Our state lost a great leader," he said. Walz said that in a second attack, Senator John Hoffman and his wife, of Champlin, were shot multiple times, underwent surgery and that he was "cautiously optimistic" that they would survive "this assassination attempt." "This was an act of targeted political violence," he said. "Peaceful discourse is the foundation of our democracy. We don't settle our differences with violence or at gunpoint." Law enforcement authorities said the gunman was impersonating a police officer and escaped after exchanging fire with police who responded to the attacks. A large-scale search for the suspect was underway, they said. US President Donald Trump on Saturday condemned the 'terrible shooting'. 'I have been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against state lawmakers,' Trump said in a statement. 'Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America.'
