Jerome v. Crime Victims Compensation Board

The issue in this case is whether the surviving spouse of a deceased crime victim is entitled under the crime victims compensation act, MCL 18.351 et seq.; MSA 3.372(1) et seq., to reimbursement for money spent to obtain child care and housekeeping services previously provided by the decedent, if the spouse otherwise qualifies. The plaintiff contends that he is entitled to recompense either as an out-of-pocket loss or as loss of support.

I

The plaintiff’s wife, Dawn Jerome, was murdered in October of 1979. Survivors included her husband, plaintiff Richard K. Jerome, and two young daughters.…