SOUTHFIELD -- Using his reputation as a savvy, fearless lawyer with a ravenous appetite for legal battles, attorney Geoffrey Fieger is making the state of Michigan an offer: Fix the mistake that prematurely freed a prisoner who later was accused of slaughtering a Pontiac mother and her two children days after his release -- or face a courtroom showdown.

Rather than ask a jury to compensate the family of Machekia Robinson and her children Rockell Johnson, 10, and Taria Johnson, 8, Fieger asked the state -- specifically the Attorney General's Office and state Corrections Department officials -- on Thursday to call his office to discuss what led to the error and what will be done on behalf of Robinson's 4-year-old daughter, who police say saw her mother and siblings stabbed to death June 22 by Daniel Franklin.

Department of Corrections Director Patricia Caruso has said a paperwork error caused Franklin's early parole on June 17. He was serving time for multiple drug offenses and should not have been considered for parole for at least three more years, she said.

"Gov. (Jennifer) Granholm's openness in her administration and the willingness of the new (corrections) director to actually tell us what happened here speaks well of the possibility to resolve this matter without further litigation, in the interest of the family and all the citizens of the state of Michigan," Fieger said.

Fieger said he wants Granholm to designate a representative to discuss problems in the state Department of Corrections and have those issues addressed through a bipartisan effort by the Michigan Legislature.

Elizabeth Boyd, the governor's spokeswoman, said the governor and the state welcome an opportunity to begin a dialogue with the family of Machekia Robinson.

"We are committed to finding out precisely how this tragedy occurred and what can be done to ensure that it does not happen again. That process has begun internally," Boyd said.

Fieger was retained by Robinson's family to investigate possible legal action against the state and the Pontiac Police Department, which allegedly refused to investigate a claim by Machekia Robinson that she was raped by Franklin the day he was released.

Harriet Robinson, Machekia Robinson's aunt, said she wants the Department of Corrections to do its job.

"The parole board and general auditor can make sure they do a 100 percent thorough investigation of these people," Harriet Robinson said.

State Sen. Hansen Clarke, D-Detroit, a friend of the Robinson family, said he has launched his own investigation into the early parole.

Franklin is charged with first-degree murder in the deaths. He is expected to appear in Pontiac District Court next month for a preliminary hearing.

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