The Saline Reporter
A Heritage Newspaper
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Grondon has a criminal history
Nephew charged in uncle's murder had tried to kill as a teen
By Brian Cox, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: February 7, 2008
Michigan Department of Corrections records reveal that the man police arrested last week in connection with the brutal slaying of a lifelong Saline resident had as a teenager tried to kill before.
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Jason Matthew Grondon, 33, was arraigned last week in the Washtenaw County Jail, charged with murdering his uncle, Robert Green.
Green, 63, was found dead in the basement of his Sheffield Square townhouse at about 3 p.m. Jan. 28 by his daughter.
Family members provided investigators a list of three possible suspects, one of whom was Green's nephew.
Less than 24 hours later, Grondon was arrested at about 1 a.m. Jan. 31 when Washtenaw County Sheriff's deputies noticed his vehicle near Michigan Avenue and Harris Street in Ypsilanti Township.
The Superior Township man was wanted on several unrelated warrants, including charges of car theft, nonpayment of child support and traffic offenses.
Grondon confessed to killing his uncle later that day, according to Saline Police Detective Don Lupi, who praised the cooperation of area law enforcement agencies for quickly identifying and apprehending Grondon.
"When a crime of this magnitude happens, it's invaluable to have the assistance of other agencies," said Lupi. "It's good that we can all work together."
Grondon stood mute at his arraignment last week where he faced one count of open murder, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
He was appointed a public defender and his preliminary trial was set for Feb. 12.
Fourteen years ago, Grondon pled no contest to a charge of assault with intent to commit murder, according to Department of Corrections records.
The assault took place Aug. 15, 1990, in Hazel Park, a month and 10 days before Grondon's 16th birthday, according to the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office.
According to police reports, Grondon used a baseball bat to strike a relative twice in the head and three times in the ribs after the two had an argument. The victim was hospitalized.
Grondon was sentenced Nov. 8, 1990, and was sent to a juvenile detention center, according to records.
In April 1994, Grondon was caught carrying a concealed weapon in violation of his parole and was sentenced to four to 20 years in prison. He served 2 1/2 years before being released in November 1996.
Staff Writer Brian Cox can be reached at 429-7380 or bcox@heritage.com.
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