Granger sentenced to jail time

DETROIT - Former senior class president of Grosse Pointe North High School Dan Granger yesterday was sentenced to 4 1/2 months in jail and two years probation on one count of conspiracy to contribute to the delinquency of a minor.

Granger's admission to the University was postponed this fall pending a full admissions review.

University spokesperson Julie Peterson said she could not comment about any part of the University's review of Granger's admission.

The three victims wore black, and came to the courtroom with their parents, siblings and sheets of blue-lined notebook paper.

The papers held their arguments that Granger should spend as much time in jail as possible for giving them alcohol and having sex with them even though they were 14 years old.

But their tears outran their words by a wide margin. None made it more than a few sentences before being helped back to their seats, crying.

"You've ruined my whole life," said one. "I can't go outside without getting harassed."

"He took something from me I can never get back," said another.

"I thought I'd found a friend in him and his friends," said the third, "To him, I was just one of his toys..."

Wayne County Circuit Judge Timothy Kenny could have sentenced Granger to between three and six months.

Before Kenny sentenced him, Granger told the judge he was truly sorry, and that the minimum sentence with community service would be for the best.

"Your honor, my actions were wrong, wrong, wrong ... because I as well as these young ladies engaged in an activity which took a part of ourselves we can never get back," he said.

The girls came forward after the Grosse Pointe North High School yearbook was published this spring with a picture of Granger apparently exposing himself. The crimes happened last winter.

The investigation brought a lot of attention and division to the wealthy suburb. Granger said he had also suffered for his crimes: The University of Michigan had suspended his admission, his goal of a career in politics was shot and "my name has been dragged through the mud across the country.

"Me sitting in jail will only be counterproductive. I gain nothing by sitting in jail, and neither do these girls."

Kenny said several people had written him to ask that Granger serve no jail time, noting his leadership qualities. But Kenny said Granger apparently used those qualities to befriend the girls for sexual gain.

"I think it's important to note that achievement is one thing and character is another," Kenny told Granger. "There are people who have achieved a lot ... and yet whose personal character leaves a lot to be desired.

"I know, as all parents who have raised children through high school know, the difference in maturity between an 18-year-old senior and a 14-year-old freshman."

Granger was the first of four Grosse Pointe teens charged in the case to be sentenced. All were originally charged with felony counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

The other defendants pleaded guilty to charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and will be sentenced later this month.

Kenny put several conditions on Granger's probation, requiring him to spend 200 hours as an adult literacy tutor and wearing an electronic tether when not at school until Aug. 31, 1999.

"It is time, sir, to use these gifts to assist others," Kenny said.

Many of the relatives of the victims spoke as well, saying the community had sided with Granger and expressing anger at previous public denials of the charges.

"She lived in a constant state of fear knowing that if she left the house she would be taunted or receive an obscene gesture," said the sister of one victim.

"The only way I can sleep at night is to dream of your castration," another girl's sister told Granger in open court.

Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Doug Baker had asked for Granger to serve a 180-day sentence. He said he was happy with the sentence, but less satisfied with Granger's statement.

"He seemed to roll it all in together, that he and the victims were on some joint venture into illegality. I think that misses the point," Baker said.

10-15-98