For years, the “Team Kensu” camp has dominated the conversation around the 1986 murder of Scott Macklem, portraying Temujin Kensu as a wrongly convicted man, mischaracterizing evidence, and often resorting to disparaging anyone who dares to challenge their narrative. Careers have been attacked. Reputations smeared. Families retraumatized.
But the tide began to turn when The Murder Sheet podcast took a fresh, unflinching look at this decades-old case. Their reporting did what the justice system and media often fail to do in “true crime”; it created space for people who had been silenced, intimidated, or dismissed to finally come forward. Survivors, witnesses, and those closest to the violence were able to speak openly, many for the first time, about the trauma and terror they endured at the hands of Temujin Kensu.
Though I do not personally know Scott Macklem or his family, I hope that this piece — submitted by a reader who wishes to remain anonymous — helps return a small measure of dignity to them. What follows is not conjecture or rumor. It is a detailed, document-based account compiled from court records, sworn testimony, police reports, and other legal documents. It is a perspective too often overshadowed by misinformation and revisionist history.
And it breaks down the biggest myths around the Temujin Kensu/Fred Freeman case.
Witness Sightings on Campus
Four different witnesses placed Temujin Kensu at or near the scene of Scott Macklem’s murder. Their accounts, consistent in detail and timeline, were corroborated by both police reports and trial testimony:
- R. Kruger testified that he observed Kensu for several minutes acting suspiciously near the crime scene. He accurately described Kensu’s appearance, matched the vehicle description with other witnesses, and identified him from police photographs and in court, though Kensu had intentionally altered his appearance just before a lineup.
- R. Gobines saw Kensu fleeing immediately after hearing a gunshot and a scream. His identification remained consistent from his initial police statement through trial, and he confirmed it even before undergoing a hypnosis session aimed at recalling a license plate number.
- Kathleen identified Kensu as the driver of a car similar to one seen leaving the area.
- Ganis described a man dressed exactly like Kensu, noting that he appeared “out of place.”
All four described unique clothing later found in Kensu’s car; clothing that stood out as unusual on a college campus.
The Phone Call With Crystal
Shortly after the murder, before any information about the crime had been made public, Crystal spoke with Kensu in a recorded call while Officer Hall listened. The details of that call remain deeply incriminating:
- Kensu expressed irritation that Macklem’s murder wasn’t on TV or in the newspapers.
- When Crystal asked what he had been up to, he replied, laughing: “Driving around shooting people.”
- Kensu inquired whether police knew about the car or weapon and confidently stated they would never find them; a prediction that proved true.
- He told Crystal, “You’ve caused me a problem and I have taken care of it,” when she mentioned her engagement to Macklem.
- Kensu even asked if the shot had pierced Macklem’s back or rib cage; an eerily specific detail later confirmed by the autopsy.
Firearms Evidence and Testimony
Despite defense claims that Kensu did not use firearms, multiple witnesses, including Crystal, testified to the contrary:
- Crystal described seeing Kensu handle a 12-gauge shotgun with unique identifying features matching the murder weapon.
- Another man reported Kensu brandishing a revolver during a threatening confrontation.
- Kensu’s then-girlfriend Michelle testified that firearms in their home made her fear for her safety and that of her unborn child.
- Police discovered ammunition, clips, and belts in Kensu’s car, and another girlfriend described a duffel bag containing long, gun-like objects.
Note from Rita: from my own experience with the Kensus, I know that there is a large gun safe on the Kensu property today, which can sometimes be spotted in podcasts with Paula.
Problems With the Alibi
The alibi is not at all as strong as Team Kensu would have you believe. In fact, the alibi fell apart under scrutiny:
- Witness Manali, one of only two significant alibi witnesses, initially could not confirm Kensu’s whereabouts and only did so after Kensu called to “convince” him; a clear case of witness tampering.
- Another witness’s testimony was similarly tainted by cross-influence and conferral.
- Crucially, 10 hours of Kensu’s time remain unaccounted for; seven before and three after the murder.
- In one instance, Kensu threatened to kill a witness’s mother if she didn’t provide a false alibi placing him 700 miles away.
Jailhouse Testimony: Joplin
A jailhouse informant named Joplin testified that Kensu confessed to the murder, sharing details only the killer could have known, including that Macklem screamed when shot. Joplin did not receive a reduced sentence in exchange for his testimony and never formally recanted under oath.
Patterns of Violence and Threats
Kensu’s behavior, both before and after the murder, paints a consistent picture of violence, intimidation, and manipulation:
- He repeatedly threatened to kill Scott Macklem and stalked him at his workplace.
- He threatened to cut up an ex-girlfriend and mail her body to her parents.
- He brandished a hatchet during a road rage confrontation.
- Multiple ex-partners described him as a “psychological terrorist” with a history of sexual assault, domestic violence, and death threats, even against a newborn and a pet.
- Kensu’s courtroom outbursts were so severe that judges ordered restraints and armed guards.
Other Notable Facts
- Kensu himself introduced the “plane alibi” theory, which prosecutors easily refuted.
- Even Kensu’s own investigator admitted there was no evidence that Crystal committed perjury or that Macklem was involved in anything nefarious.
- Michelle, once claimed as a potential alibi witness, lied to police and later expressed fear for her life due to Kensu’s violence.
Final Thoughts
This reader-submitted piece is not meant to sensationalize or vilify. It is a compilation of testimony, police reports, trial records, and first-hand accounts that paint a very different picture of Temujin Kensu than the one shared by his advocates.
The question isn’t just whether Kensu was convicted; it’s whether the narrative pushed by his supporters has erased the testimony of victims, silenced those he terrorized, and distorted the public’s understanding of this case.
The evidence, as shown here, tells a story that is far harder to dismiss.
Are you a reader who would like to submit a piece? Reach out here.
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