GUILTY IA - Michelle Martinko, 18, stabbed to death, Cedar Rapids, 19 Dec 1979

[Legally Bland]

2 minutes ago
They deliberated for about two hours.

a minute ago
Burns wife and some other family and friends just came in.

Watch closing arguments: Michelle Martinko murder trial for suspect Jerry Burns, Day 9

 

[SharonNeedles]

 

[Legally Bland]

DBM.

 

[Legally Bland]

a minute ago
Still waiting on Burns to come in the courtroom.

a few seconds ago
Burns just came in. Judge should be in shortly.

Watch closing arguments: Michelle Martinko murder trial for suspect Jerry Burns, Day 9

 

[Legally Bland]

Guilty.

 

[Legally Bland]

Sentencing in 6 weeks.

 

[SharonNeedles]

I don’t think Mr. Burns did himself any favors by not testifying in his own defense. He’s going to have plenty of time to think about that now.

 

[Legally Bland]

5 minutes ago
The jury find him guilty of first-degree murder.

3 minutes ago
Judge is polling the jurors. Martinko family and friends are crying with relief. Burns son is crying. I can't see the other family members' faces.

2 minutes ago
I can't tell if Burns reacted. He may be tearing up.

a minute ago
Burns will be held without bond. Sentencinng isn't set yet. Janelle Stonebraker and her husband are group hugging others. They have smiles and tears of relief.
The Burns family is quiet and still.

a minute ago
The Stonebrakers may not make any comments today, I've been told.


Watch closing arguments: Michelle Martinko murder trial for suspect Jerry Burns, Day 9

 

[Legally Bland]

I don’t think Mr. Burns did himself any favors by not testifying in his own defense. He’s going to have plenty of time to think about that now.

It's always a tricky one. I don't think he can have any complaints about his representation though, I thought Spies did a great job in trying to minimise the dna significance.

 

[SharonNeedles]

It's always a tricky one. I don't think he can have any complaints about his representation though, I thought Spies did a great job in trying to minimise the dna significance.

Agreed. This case will bother me for a long time though.

 

[Niner]

Thank you all for updating the verdict!
I figured approximately the week of March 30th should be sentencing. I'll keep an eye out on the court site.

 

[Detective Willy]

I love how many of these "old" cold cases are being solved and successfully prosecuted with new technology.

 

[SharonNeedles]

I love how many of these "old" cold cases are being solved and successfully prosecuted with new technology.

I find this particular case a bit disturbing... When the Golden State killer was identified through genealogical DNA it pointed to a suspect that perfectly fit. That’s not at all what happened here and I’m still at a loss to explain how it could have happened. I guess when a DNA expert says “one in a hundred billion” nothing else matters.

 

[joejs89]

Would love to know what happened that night with Jerry. He mentioned blackouts. I don't suppose he will talk before exhausting all his appeals, if then. I hope someone, a reporter, a tv news magazine or a friend of his, can get him to talk. If not for the miracle of DNA....

 

[Niner]

Event Filed By Filed Create Date Last Updated Action Date
Order for PSI HOOVER GRINDE FAE 03/10/2020 03/10/2020 03/10/2020
Comments: SENTENCING FOR 4/17/2020 AT 1:30 P.M.;DEFENDANT HELD WITHOUT
BAIL

link: https://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/ESAWebApp/TIndexFrm

 

[Niner]

Event Filed By Filed Create Date Last Updated Action Date
Motion SPIES LEON FRED 04/03/2020 04/03/2020 04/03/2020
Comments: UNRESISTED MOTION FOR EXTENSION OF TIME TO FILE POST-TRIAL
MOTIONS

ORDER NUNC PRO TUNC HOOVER GRINDE FAE 03/27/2020 03/27/2020 03/27/2020
Comments: AMENDED TO EXLCUDE SENTENCE ORDERING DCS TO PREPARE PSI

Order setting hearing 03/25/2020 03/25/2020 03/25/2020
Comments: SENTENCING HEARING 06/19/2020 01:30 PM.

link: https://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/ESAWebApp/TIndexFrm

 

[24Roses]

Sentencing postponed for man found guilty in Michelle Martinko caseSentencing is not today. Pushed back to June 19, 2020.

 

[YESorNO]

Sentencing bumped to August for Manchester man convicted of killing teen Michelle Martinko

May 05, 2020

"...Sixth Judicial District Judge Fae Hoover reset the sentencing of Jerry Burns, 66, to Aug. 7 in Linn County District Court.

Hoover said in her order, filed last week, that she was delaying sentencing because of restrictions limiting the number of people in group gatherings and to “accommodate the rights of Burns, the public and the press.”..."

Sentencing bumped to August for Manchester man convicted of killing teen Michelle Martinko

 

[Niner]

Docket update since last posting:

Event Filed By Filed Create Date Last Updated Action Date
Order setting hearing HOOVER GRINDE FAE 04/30/2020 04/30/2020 04/30/2020
Comments: SENTENCING HEARING 08/07/2020 01:30 PM

Other Order HOOVER GRINDE FAE 04/29/2020 04/29/2020 04/29/2020
Comments: EXTENDING POST-TRIAL MOTION DEADLINE TO 06/01/2020

Motion SPIES LEON FRED 04/24/2020 04/24/2020 04/24/2020
Comments: TO EXTEND DEADLINE FOR FILING PRETRIAL MOTIONS

Other Order HOOVER GRINDE FAE 04/06/2020 04/06/2020 04/06/2020
Comments: POST-TRIAL EXTENSION MOTION IS GRANTED TO 5/1/20

link: https://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/ESAWebApp/TIndexFrm

 

[joejs89]

First Degree Murder is punishable in Iowa with an automatic life without parole. My understanding is the family gets to present to the court an impact statement and this is what necessitated the postponement.