Clinton Township man sentenced to life in prison after conviction of First-Degree Murder

Mount Clemens, MI – Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido announced that Matthew Lewinski, 42, of Clinton Township, was sentenced today after a Macomb County jury found him guilty in May of First-Degree Murder and other charges in the killing of his former girlfriend, 52-year-old Jerri Winters.

On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Rachel Rancilio sentenced Lewinski to serve life in prison without the possibility of parole on the First-Degree Premeditated Murder charge. He was also sentenced to a minimum of 23 months for Disinterment and Mutilation of a Dead Body, and 365 days for Concealing the Death of an Individual.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Carmen DeFranco prosecuted the case on behalf of the People.

“This sentence represents the final chapter in a long and difficult pursuit of justice for Jerri Winters and her loved ones. I commend the dedication and perseverance of the prosecutors, investigators, and everyone involved who remained committed to holding the defendant accountable. While no outcome can erase the pain of losing a loved one, we hope this resolution provides the victim’s family with a sense of closure and peace as they continue to move forward,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.

In December 2020, Lewinski strangled his girlfriend inside his home and left her body there following her death. He initially placed the victim’s body in a bathtub before later moving it to the basement. Over the following months, Lewinski removed portions of the victim’s remains in an effort to conceal and dispose of the body. The victim’s remains were ultimately discovered in the basement by Lewinski’s family members on July 27, 2021, after Lewinski was hospitalized the previous day. 

The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office represents the people. We are committed to achieving justice and following the laws of the State of Michigan. All individuals accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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