The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, Michigan Attorney General’s Office and the family of a woman murdered by her estranged husband in 1976 are seeking a reversal of a killer’s parole from prison, as granted last month by the state’s parole board.
Leslie Moran, 85, has spent nearly 50 years behind bars after shooting to death Deborah Humenny Moran on Sept. 20, 1976. She was 22 years old when Leslie Moran lured her to his home with a bogus story about needing a ride to the airport, then shot her multiple times in the head and chest. He was convicted of second-degree murder in 1977 and sentenced to life in prison.
The prosecutor’s office, attorney general’s office and Deborah Humenny Moran’s family say he has shown no remorse and hasn’t taken responsibility for the slaying — and should not be let out of prison. A petition to block the parole was filed last week in Oakland County Circuit Court, and the parole is on hold pending the court’s ruling.
Michigan Dept. of Corrections
Leslie Moran (MDOC, 2022 image)
“While Deborah Humenny Moran cannot speak for herself at the parole board, her family continues to advocate for her memory,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald stated in a news release. “Her killer has never shown remorse or taken responsibility for his crime. We cannot allow him to escape accountability, even a half-century later.”
Leslie Moran was previously denied parole in 2010, 2017 and 2022, and last November Gov. Gretchen Whitmer denied his commutation request.
“Granting parole to an individual who refuses to accept responsibility, blames his victim, and continues to present a threat to public safety is unacceptable and a clear abuse of discretion by the Parole Board,” Attorney General Dana Nessel stated in the news release. “My office is committed to working alongside the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office and Deborah’s family to ensure this convicted murderer remains behind bars and justice is upheld.”
Along with those claims, the joint motion argues that Leslie Moran continues to blame the victim for his actions, and “has been less than forthright” with the parole board. It also states that the parole board “clearly abused its discretion in choosing not to depart from the parole guidelines for these substantial and compelling reasons.”
Added Deborah Humenny Moran’s sister, Sandra Humenny: “For nearly fifty years, Inmate Moran has refused to accept responsibility, instead blaming Debby, the psychologist, the courts, and anyone else he can while changing his story again and again. Michigan’s leaders have long recognized the danger he poses. Since 1977, six Governors have denied every commutation request he has filed. In November 2025, Governor Gretchen Whitmer denied his latest request — following the Parole Board’s own recommendation of denial.”
Humenny said more than 1,000 letters were submitted to the Parole Board opposing Leslie Moran’s release.
“This decision (to grant parole” ignores the evidence, ignores prosecutors and the Attorney General’s Office, and ignores the lifelong devastation to my family — especially to my mother, who died believing the system would protect her daughter’s memory,” she stated. “Debby cannot speak for herself. My mother cannot speak for her. I will. The Parole Board needs to reverse this decision immediately for my safety, the safety of my family, and the members of the community.”
Leslie Moran is locked up at the Egeler Reception and Guidance Center.