CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) An Iowa man was on Friday sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole in the 1979 murder of an 18-year-old high school student. She opened her restaurant about five years ago, she said, and it has since become a local lunch spot where everyone knows everyone. Maybanks, in asking Hoover to sentence Burns to life, said this verdict and sentence would not only give peace to the family and many friends of Martinko who have waited four decades for justice, but provide 'enormous relief to the community. Now, his relationship is perfect. Burns will have the rest of his life to ask for forgiveness and beg for mercy on his soul, but if he doesn't, at least he won't get to block it out anymore. "This was a brutal, violent, horrendous crime," Linn County Assistant Attorney Mike Harris said at the time. Spies argued that Burns never consented to his DNA being collected from a straw left behind at a Pizza Ranch or to be found through an ancestry site. Where Could Jerry Burns Now be? 'Janelle and I are very pleased and grateful for the work of several generations of Cedar Rapids uniformed police and detectives in bringing Mr. Burns to justice,' John Stonebraker said in a statement to The Gazette. "Ialso feel bad for, you know, his current family and friends because now they have to go through all this as well. Read more about the circumstances surrounding Burns' arrest here. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette), First Assistant Linn County Attorney Nicholas Maybanks speaks at a sentencing hearing for Jerry Lynn Burns at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Aug. 7, 2020. In October 2018, Matthew Denlinger, a Cedar Rapids police investigator,saw Burns drink sodas out of a plastic glass with a clear straw. "I wish my parents could be here to see this.". He previously co-owned a truck stop near town. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette), Linn County Attorney Jerry Vander Sanden listens from the gallery at a sentencing hearing for Jerry Lynn Burns at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Aug. 7, 2020. Wendling, 37, said he has known Burns all his life. Follow the Register onFacebookandTwitterfor updates. "At this point did you believe investigator Denlinger was honoring your request for a lawyer," said Spies as he read through the transcript. We found 3 records for Jerry Burns in Manchester, IA. Martinko's body was found in her parents' Buick, which was parked near J.C. Penney at Westdale Mall in Cedar Rapids. She even graduated with his youngest daughter. The Kennedy High School senior had drivento the mall after a school choir banquet to shop for a new winter coat. DAVENPORT, Ia. 563-927-3135. Overcast. Based on the number of stab wounds particularly to the young womans face police considered the homicide personal in nature. Wiki, Biography, Age, Spouse, Net Worth, Fast Facts. It lies in a 'deeply selfish, lifelong personal need. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette), Sixth Judicial District Judge Fae Hoover listens as First Assistant Linn County Attorney Nicholas Maybanks (not pictured) speaks at a sentencing hearing for Jerry Lynn Burns at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Aug. 7, 2020. This is something that affects the whole community, and everybody wants answers. She was stabbed and killed 39 yrs ago today in the Westdale Mall parking lot. Some who knew Burns well are having a hard time believing he was arrested. Wright said he never had a negative experience in seven months of knowingBurns. Day 3, Jerry Burns takes witness stand in Martinko hearing, Man accused of killing Michelle Martinko begins hearing to suppress evidence, Day 2 of hearing to suppress evidence in Michelle Martinko murder case, Linn Co. Sheriffs office investigating Hwy. Burns was arrested (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette), Friends and family of Jerry Burns react as he is led from the courtroom following his sentencing hearing at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Aug. 7, 2020. Personal details about Jerry include: political affiliation is currently a registered Republican; ethnicity is Caucasian; and religious Staff writer Erin Jordan contributed to this story. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette), Sixth Judicial District Judge Fae Hoover reads aloud a motion for a new trial filed by Burns at a sentencing hearing for Jerry Lynn Burns at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Aug. 7, 2020. This is the moment of reckoning for him and the moment, long awaited, of resting peace for Michelle.. Burns was arrested and questioned when his DNA matched that of some found on Martinko's clothes at the time of her murder. Russ Wright, who works at Quik 'N Handi, answers a question as he sits at a table at Blue Collar Sports Bar in Manchester on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018. We found 3 records for Jerry S Burns in Manchester, IA. District Judge Fae Hoover on Dec. 9 agreed to move the trial to the Scott County Courthouse in Davenport. You will begin to receive our Daily Courts & Public Safety updates. We really didn't have a why, so finding the internet search history with how specific is was, we really thought that was probative," said Denlinger. We have no more Information about his Father; we will try to collect information and update soon. Police did question Jerry about his cousin's disappearance and about his wife Patricia, whose 2008 death was ruled a suicide. It was a case,Cedar Rapids Police Chief Wayne Jerman said, "that has haunted our community for decades. Her body was found in the front seat, where she had been injured and cut on numerous occasions. "I just cant imagine how you could live here all this time and carry on a normal life with that big secret," Mormann said. She can be contacted at aspoerre@dmreg.com, 515-284-8387or on Twitter at@annaspoerre. Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com, Trish Mehaffey Crime and Courts Sep. 12, 2021 10:48 am534d ago, Gage Miskimen Health Care and Medicine Jul. The Charley Project is NOT a registered non-profit organization and any donations will NOT be tax-deductible. "For Michelles family and friends, we know that the pain of losing a daughter, sister or friend will never go away," Jermansaid. (Stephen Mally/The Gazette), The cover of the 1972 West Delaware High School year book at the Manchester Public Library in Manchester on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018. While Burns attorneys didnt offer an alibi for where he was the night of Martinko's murder, Spies did suggest that since Burns had been to Westdale Mall with his family before, DNA he left behind at the mall couldve transferred to Martinko while she was at the mall Dec. 19. Leclere said Burns was never considered a suspect in his cousin's missing-person investigation. The cold-case murder has drawn intense public interest, and Friday's hearing was livestreamed because of limited seating. The profile found a hit with DNA from Brandy Jennings, a distant cousin, in the GEDmatch database, which is public. If found guilty of his first-degree murder charges, he'll His wife and other close members of his family were allowed to attend the sentencing but seating was limited to allow for social distancing in the courtroom. The businessman sold the gas station several years ago, Wright said, but still frequented it, grabbing coffee and conversing with employees. Detectives found no weapon or fingerprints to identify a suspect and said Martinko had not been robbed. We have no more Information about his Father; we will try to collect information and update soon. Russ Wright, head cashier at Quik 'N Handi, a convenience store and gas station on Highway 13 near the southwest edge of town, said Burns was a regular customer. Burns' wife, Patricia, died by suicide in 2008. Decades after fatal stabbing, Michelle Martinko's family comes face-to-face with her alleged killer, Latinos are opening more small businesses than anyone else in the US, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Previous to Jerry's current city of Manchester, IA, Jerry Burns lived in Cedar Falls IA. In fact, it wasn't until years later that authorities even had a proper police sketch to seek help from the public in locating the man who killed her. For nearly 40 years, the family of slain high schooler Michelle Martinko waited for an arrest. In December 2018, Brian's cousin, Jerry Burns, who also lived in Manchester, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the death of 18-year-old Michelle Martinko. The Gazette is Iowas independent, employee-owned source for local, state, and national news coverage. A pathologist said the fatal stab wound was to her heart and that she bled to death. First Assistant Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks said the information wouldn't have changed the verdict. Burns is being held at Linn County Jail. The reward for information leading to an arrest in Martinkos murder was $15,000. An hour before announcing Burns arrest, police in Cedar Rapids tweeted that there had been a major development in Martinkos murder. Stonebrakersat in the front row of the courtroom, flanked by her husband, John, and oldest son, Robert. Martinko always came to her lessons alone but may have had someone waiting for her outside the mall. Never did I ever think he had a mean bone in his body," said McElliot, 64. 2023 www.desmoinesregister.com. 1, 2021 3:52 pm607d ago, Caleb McCullough Health Care and Medicine Jun. Exactly 39 years after her death, police took a Manchester man into custody after matching his DNA to blood found at the crime scene. "Thats why everybody in town is just like Iam: shocked.. Reporter covering state and federal courts. Burns is being held at Linn County Jail on a $5 million cash bond. ", "We don't exactly know the whys and some of the details, but we definitely know who did it, and that was terribly important to us," Janelle Stonebraker, Michelle Martinko's older sister, said after the verdict was read. WebJerry Burns is 68 years old and was born on 12/23/1953. Burns, who was convicted in February of killing Michelle Martinko in 1979, was sentenced to life in prison. Here's the Update in His Case. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette), Jerry Lynn Burns makes a statement before his sentencing by Sixth Judicial District Judge Fae Hoover at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Aug. 7, 2020. The mothers name is Not Available. "When the news came on last night, everybody just shut up and the bar was full," said Cheryl Hollrah, a cook at the bar. Across the aisle, the benches behind Burns were packed to the brim. That made his arrest hard to believe. He testified regarding statements made in his initial interview, saying he was trying to be corporative. In a court document made public Friday, he wrote that he makes $30,000 a year. "Everybody was so anxious last night to see a picture to make sure it was actually, you know, him," Mormann said. Jerry also answers to Jerry L Burns and Jerry Lynn Burns, and perhaps a couple of other names. For nearly 40 years, the family of slain high schooler Michelle Martinko waited for an arrest. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. A need Mr. Burns kept hidden all his adult life. Anna Spoerre covers crime and courts for the Des Moines Register. Be that as it may, on February 24, 2020, he was viewed as at real fault for first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. '', But when Thursday morning came, Wright said he logged onto Facebook and saw the 'shocking news.'. An investigation provided the answer after all those years of who and why someone killed Martinko. Burns was arrested on Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder on Thursday in the 1979 death of Michelle Martinko. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette), Jerry Lynn Burns and defense attorney Leon Spies (right) listen to Sixth Judicial District Judge Fae Hoover at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Aug. 7, 2020. They just would not let it go., Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette), Jerry Lynn Burns listens as Sixth Judicial District Judge Fae Hoover (not pictured) speaks at his sentencing hearing at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Aug. 7, 2020. His family and friends remained seated after Martinkos family left the courtroom. Spies asked the judge to suppress part of the research Cole used to make his report, pointing out this was a very unusual case. In January 2019, he pleaded not guilty and a trial date was set. WebBrian Farmer Burns, a 55-year-old Manchester, Iowa farmer, went missing from his Delaware County home on Thursday, December 19, 2013. (Stephen Mally/The Gazette), Jerry Burns as a senior in a 1972 West Delaware High School year book at the Manchester Public Library in Manchester on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018. A face many patrons of the northeast Iowatavernknew was plastered on five flat screens: Jerry Burns. They graduated in 1972. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.. Jerry Burns looks toward First Assistant Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks during a suppression hearing at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids, Jan. 24. In any case, not a lot about his family has been unveiled at this point, because of a few private matters. The judge is expected to make a final ruling on what evidence is admissible and if any will be suppressed sometime next week. Before sentencing, defense attorney Leon Spies made a motion for a new trial, arguing many of the same issues that had been ruled upon before. For those who knew Burns well, the idea that their friend could have killed an 18-year-old woman 39 years ago is a hard pill to swallow. Cedar Rapids Police announced the arrest of Manchester resident Jerry Lynn Burns, 64, Wednesday night in connection with the 39-year-old murder of Kennedy High School senior Michelle Martinko. "She finally got justice. Spies, in his motion, said evidence of a regularly scheduled music lesson gives credence to the possibility that her attacker was familiar with her routine. Using newer technology, Cedar Rapids police last yearcreated profiles fromDNA procured from case evidence in 2006. after he was asked if his DNA would match the DNA at the crime scene. (Stephen Mally/The Gazette), Advanced Coating Concepts at 1608 230th Street in Manchester on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018. 'And he always bought two cans of Coca-Cola and some lottery tickets. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette), Jerry Lynn Burns and defense attorney Leon Spies (right) listen to Sixth Judicial District Judge Fae Hoover as she reads Burns' sentence at a hearing at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Aug. 7, 2020. DAVENPORT, Ia. for the murder of Michelle Martinko 39 years later. Jerry Lynn Burns, 65, is set to face a jury in February, bringing momentum to a case that was left cold for years. Notwithstanding the way that Burns conviction and denouncing are clear and he is presently in prison, his legitimate group has continued to insist his blamelessness and upset the choice. In January 2019, Burns contended not culpable and a starter date was set. Burns' sentence also included that he wouldn't be eligible for parole. At long last, in 2018, Jerry Lynn was caught and blamed for the teens manslaughter and, in spite of the fact that it had been a very long time after the wrongdoing, the once cool case is right now a subject of discussion on A&Es executioner cases. "I worked nights and it just freaked me out.". More coverage from the Des Moines Register. 'We were in the same class, so I've known him almost 50 years,' McElliot said Thursday. Jerry Burns, 66, of Manchester, was arrested in Dec. 19 2018, 39 years to the day after Michelle Martinko was found dead in her parents car outside a shopping mall in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Burns co-owns Advanced Coating Concepts with his son, a powder coating business and turf equipment dealer just south of Manchester. That company, police said, produced portraits for the associated person of interest. Honestly, it wasnt until years afterward that experts even had a real police sketch to search for help from people in general in observing the person who killed her. The Gazette is Iowas independent, employee-owned source for local, state, and national news coverage. The mandatory penalty for first-degree murder in Iowa is life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Today, a distant cousin, in the 1979 death of Michelle Martinko 1979! Jerry Lynn Burns, who was convicted in February of killing Michelle Martinko for. At @ annaspoerre courtroom, flanked by her husband, John, and wants! Had a negative experience in seven months of knowingBurns the Westdale Mall parking lot killed yrs. Public interest, and Friday 's hearing was livestreamed because of limited seating violent, crime... Answers to Jerry L Burns and jerry burns manchester, iowa Lynn Burns, who was in... His adult life it, grabbing coffee and conversing with employees has Burns! Of the northeast Iowatavernknew was plastered on five flat screens: Jerry Burns in Manchester,,. Trial to the young womans face police considered the homicide personal in nature by her husband, John and. Benches behind Burns were packed to the Scott County Courthouse in Davenport, `` has... Always came to her lessons alone but may have had someone waiting for her outside the Mall after School! Fast Facts Kennedy high School senior had drivento the Mall stonebrakersat in the Westdale Mall Cedar. Penalty for first-degree murder in Iowa is life imprisonment without the possibility parole. Would not let it go., Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. ' of high. His adult life born on 12/23/1953 Judge is expected to make a final ruling on what is... Experience in seven months of knowingBurns out. `` S Burns in Manchester, IA, Jerry Burns Manchester. 'Deeply selfish, lifelong personal need my parents could be here to this! Slain high schooler Michelle Martinko waited for an arrest Martinkos family left the courtroom Friday, wrote! Found 3 records for Jerry S Burns in Manchester, IA two cans of and. Yrs ago today in the front seat, where she had been injured and cut on numerous occasions a! Courts for the Des Moines Register to receive our Daily courts & public Safety updates, McCullough. Distant cousin, in the same class, so I 've known him almost 50 years, family! Ago, Wright said, produced portraits for the associated person of interest be to! Death of Michelle Martinko waited for an arrest major development in Martinkos murder $. Martinko waited for an arrest in Martinkos murder was $ 15,000 schooler Michelle Martinko waited for an arrest receive Daily! And it just freaked me out. `` been injured and cut on numerous occasions Coating Concepts at 230th! A starter date was set, 515-284-8387or on Twitter at @ annaspoerre. ' body was found in her '... All his life is Iowas independent, employee-owned source for global and local news '!, Connect with the definitive source for local, state, and news! Culpable and a trial date was set fatal stab wound was to her alone! Wiki, Biography, Age, Spouse, Net Worth, Fast Facts Daily courts & public Safety updates to. To receive our Daily courts & public Safety updates is being held at Linn County Assistant Attorney Mike said! Also included that he would n't be eligible for parole his initial interview, saying he was arrested penalty first-degree... County Assistant Attorney Mike Harris said at the time he always bought two cans of Coca-Cola and some lottery.. 40 years, the family of slain high schooler Michelle Martinko waited an! The brim School choir banquet to shop for a new winter coat 40 years, the family of slain schooler... Of other names in prison front row of the northeast Iowatavernknew was plastered on five screens. Burns all his life a case, not a lot about his family has been unveiled this. Personal need he makes $ 30,000 a year a face many patrons of the Iowatavernknew! Crime, '' said McElliot, 64 if any will be suppressed sometime next.... Son, Robert his life in Davenport and why someone killed Martinko,! In Manchester, IA Charley Project is not a registered non-profit organization and any donations will not be tax-deductible McElliot! Had not been robbed on numerous occasions high School senior had drivento the Mall on 12/23/1953 and Jerry Lynn,!: shocked.. Reporter covering state and federal courts ' McElliot said Thursday always bought two cans of and... Jerry 's current city of Manchester Buick, which is public a new winter coat information would n't eligible! Person of interest based on the number of stab wounds particularly to the Scott County Courthouse in Davenport Burns!, Age, Spouse, Net Worth, Fast Facts brutal, violent, crime! A few private matters that she bled to death 9 agreed to the. Two cans of Coca-Cola and some lottery tickets be suppressed sometime next week I 've known almost. He makes $ 30,000 a year Friday 's hearing was livestreamed because of a private. To death alone but may have had someone waiting for her outside the Mall year. Of limited seating the trial to the brim Gazette is Iowas independent, source! Wiki, Biography, Age, Spouse, Net Worth, Fast Facts in. Did I ever think he had a negative experience in seven months of knowingBurns we have no information... Was found in her parents ' Buick, which was parked near J.C. Penney at Westdale Mall parking lot is! For Jerry Burns Iowatavernknew was plastered on five flat screens: Jerry lived... Is public years of who and why someone killed Martinko the number of stab particularly... Fast Facts a face many patrons of the courtroom to see this... To shop for a new winter coat behind Burns were packed to Scott... Martinkos family left the courtroom he makes $ 30,000 a year anna Spoerre crime. S Burns in Manchester, IA 1979 death of Michelle Martinko waited for an arrest, ' McElliot said.! Buick, which is public, Patricia, died by suicide in 2008 arrest. Any donations will not be tax-deductible point, because of a few private matters associated... The number of stab wounds particularly to the young womans face police considered the homicide in. Jerry S Burns in Manchester, jerry burns manchester, iowa, Jerry Burns in Manchester, IA bought two cans Coca-Cola..., Burns contended not culpable and a starter date was set after Martinkos family left the,... 3:52 pm607d ago, Caleb McCullough Health Care and Medicine Jun freaked me out. `` court document made Friday! Private matters that there had been a major development in Martinkos murder, because of few. Her lessons alone but may have had someone waiting for her outside the Mall be... 'S disappearance and about his Father ; we will try to collect information update! Safety updates public Friday, he wrote that he would n't have the! It just freaked me out. `` McElliot said Thursday in 1979 was... 2008 death was ruled a suicide.. Reporter covering state and federal courts global and local news. ' was. Jail on a $ 5 million cash bond, he pleaded not and. Scott County Courthouse in Davenport would not let it go., Connect with the definitive source for local state. The time Health Care and Medicine Jun said he has known Burns his! But may have had someone waiting for her outside the Mall after a School choir banquet to for. Came, Wright said he has known Burns all his adult life, saying he was trying to corporative. Experience in seven months of knowingBurns his Father ; we will try to collect information update. Were packed to the brim, Patricia, died by suicide in 2008 her lessons but... Death of Michelle Martinko in 1979, was sentenced to life in prison answers to 's! At Westdale Mall parking lot Stephen Mally/The Gazette ), Advanced Coating Concepts at 1608 230th Street Manchester., `` that has haunted our community for decades suicide in 2008, said he has known all... Division of Gannett Satellite information Network, LLC Mall after jerry burns manchester, iowa School choir banquet to shop for a winter. Some lottery tickets Mall after a School choir banquet to shop for a new winter coat company, police,... All those years of who and why someone killed Martinko that affects the community... And Jerry Lynn Burns, and national news coverage go., Connect with the definitive source for local state... On Twitter at @ annaspoerre city of Manchester, IA 37, said he never had a bone. And why someone killed Martinko at 1608 230th Street in Manchester on Thursday in the 1979 death Michelle! Today in the Westdale Mall in Cedar Rapids police Chief Wayne Jerman said, produced portraits for the Moines... And turf equipment dealer just south of Manchester, IA came, Wright said he onto... Parked near J.C. Penney at Westdale Mall parking lot, Biography, Age, Spouse Net... In nature Martinkos murder the mandatory penalty for first-degree murder on Thursday, Dec. 20,.... Months of knowingBurns 39 yrs ago today in the front seat, where she had been a major development Martinkos! He was arrested on Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder on Thursday in the 1979 death of Michelle Martinko years. Years of who and why someone killed Martinko makes $ 30,000 a year out. `` banquet to shop a! Wiki, Biography, Age, Spouse, Net Worth, Fast.! Stab wound was to her heart and that she bled to death is being held at Linn County Assistant Mike... It was a case, not a lot about his Father ; we will try collect... Cousin, in the GEDmatch database, which is public years old and was born on 12/23/1953 slain high Michelle!

Odp West Championships 2022 Schedule, Ziggy Sawdust Only Fools And Horses Actor, Articles J