UPDATE: Federico "Kiko" Cruz Life Sentence Changed featuring Murder Party

In this episode, we revisit the case of Federico “Kiko” Cruz, a man whose conviction and life sentence shook his Michigan community — and whose legal fate has now taken a dramatic turn. After years behind bars, new developments have reshaped the outcome of his case, raising questions about justice, accountability, and how the system handles violent offenders long after the headlines fade.

We walk through the original crime, the courtroom battle that led to Cruz’s life sentence, and the surprising legal shift that has now altered his future. This update digs into what changed, why it matters, and how the decision is being received by those closest to the case. It’s a reminder that even the most seemingly final sentences can be anything but.

To close out the episode, we feature Michigan band Murder Party, delivering raw energy with their track 

Murder Party
bandcamp:  https://murder-party.bandcamp.com/album/ep

Transcript

 Federiko Kiko Cruz
 MDOC #261275 
Resides at Richard A Handlon Correctional Facility
 Date of Birth: 5/24/1979 1.
 In April of 1996, Federiko Cruz was sentenced to life in prison for murdering 17year old David Crawford.
 2. We covered this story in our very first episode. Please go back and listen to that episode for details, this is an update episode. 
3. In 2022 a new state supreme court ruling judged life sentences for juvinille’s is unconstitutional. 
4. Since 2022 and the new ruling, many Michigan courts are being revisited by juvenile lifers. 
5. We also discuss Amy Black, another juvenille in episode #1 
6. Federico Cruz has appealed his case in court before but that was prior to the state supreme court ruling.
 7. On Friday, June 23, 2023 Federico found himself back in front of a judge to reconsider his appeal in light of the new supreme court ruling.
 8. The judge stated that Federico has made efforts to turn over a new leaf while in prison. 9. The plans to resentence him on August 17, 2023.
 10. They say that they expect Federico’s sentence to be changed from Life to 40-60 years. 
11. Federicko was 16 years old when the murder took place, he has literally been in prison longer than he was out of prison. 
12. 27 years, he has been in prison. I can’t even fathom. So psychologically speaking, I have to wonder what being in prison during informative years did.
13. Federico is 44 years old right now. SO many questions: -does he have a jail girl? -does he have family around still? -does he have skills to make it in the world? -what has he done to rehab himself Also, Kiko, if you get out, don’t come at me, your on parole and I’m just telling stories that I researched.  LOL