Likewise, Mike McElliot, of Ryan, who has known Burns since they were freshmen at West Delaware High School, said he finds the news impossible to believe. She was found stabbed to death inside her parents' car in a mall parking lot in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on December 20, 1979. 'Nobody is guilty until they prove it.'. Now,herface and chest had been stabbed at least eight times. They graduated in 1972. Leclere said Burns was never considered a suspect in his cousin's missing-person investigation. Cheryl Hollrah, the sports bar cook, worked at Westdale Mall in Cedar Rapids, whereMartinko's body was found in a car 39 years ago. She affirmed her rulings made before and during trial regarding the defense's motion. Today, Burns' lawyer, Lion Spies continued to question one of the state's expert witness, Randy Cole, whose background as a correctional officer and as a program manager for sexual offenders, may point to a motive. Burns, 66, was arrested at his Manchester, Iowa, business on Dec. 19, 2018 the 39th anniversary of Martinko's death and charged with first-degree murder in Martinko's slaying. "Nice family.". You have permission to edit this article. He built a new home on land his parents once farmed and constructed a gas station and convenience store near where he lived. Jerry also answers to Jerry L Burns 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. Spies argued that if the defense had this evidence at trial, jurors might have come back with a different verdict. As Becky Moreno stopped for lunch on Thursday afternoon, she reflected on growing up just down the street from Jerry Burns and his family. The Jan. 28, 2021 episode also sheds light on the trial that led to Burns' sentencing and how he still denied having anything to do with the murder, to the best of his knowledge, leading up to it. Iowa Missing Person Information Clearinghouse, Delaware County Sheriff's Office Where Could Jerry Burns Now be? 'I was happy when I heard the case was solved, but it was a punch in the gut to hear it was someone from the community. More coverage from the Des Moines Register. Jerry Burnss Family releases statement following arrest in 'When you listen to (Cedar Rapids Police Chief Wayne) Jerman on the news last night, they've got him (Burns) hung already,' McElliot said. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette), Jerry Burns reacts as he is sentenced at a hearing at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Aug. 7, 2020. Jerry Burns may be a hitched man, having a spouse and kids. Police did question Jerry about his cousin's disappearance and about his wife Patricia, whose 2008 death was ruled a suicide. Then, in 2018, police used new DNA technology that hadn't been available in 1979 or even the '80s, when the composite sketch was released, to zero in on Burns and arrest him for Martinko's murder. ', Authorities said they questioned Burns at his workplace later the day. As Becky Moreno stopped for lunch on Thursday afternoon, she reflected on growing up just down the street from Jerry Burns and his family. "Correct, I had no explanation," said Burns. She even graduated with his youngest daughter. Also, we have no idea about his brother and sister, and we dont know their names either. Then for a verdict. 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. In January 2019, he pleaded not guilty and a trial date was set. "Ialso feel bad for, you know, his current family and friends because now they have to go through all this as well. Donations are accepted but not expected; the site remains free-access to all. The sisters' parents died more than 20 years ago,Albert Martinko in 1995and his wife, Janet, in 1998. "I am happy Michelle finally gets justice. 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. Chief Jerman said Wednesday night that Martinko's family now could take comfort in knowing a murder arrest had been made, and for Martinko's sister Janelle Stonebraker and her husband John Stonebraker, an arrest in the case was something to be grateful for. ", People of Manchester 'would have never guessed' Burns' arrest for Martinko murder, Iowa Republicans move forward bills to limit bathroom access for transgender students, Heroic Iowa sisters credited with saving two kids who fell through ice, Student walkouts planned statewide in protest of proposed anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. Jerry LynnBurns, 65, is set to face a jury in February, bringing momentum to a case that was left cold for years. 'Mr. We found 3 records for Jerry Burns in Manchester, IA. Jerman, Cedar Rapids' police chief, credited police and investigators who "showed tenacity and dedication" over the four decades it took to take the case to trial, and the Linn County Attorney's Office for its role in Burns' arrest and prosecution. Burns maintained his innocence in pretrial hearings and throughout the trial, but the jury took only three hours to reach a verdict after hearing DNA evidence. In any case, not a lot about his family has been unveiled at this point, because of a few private matters. He previously co-owned a truck stop near town. On December 19, 1979, when 18-year-old Cedar Rapids, Iowa inhabitant Michelle Martinko, vanished, it transformed into a case that before long ran cold. The only way Burns DNA couldve ended up in two spots in the crime scene, Maybanks concluded, was if Burns was the murderer. Manchester, IA (52057) Today. Maybanks said it's likely nobody will ever know why Burns committed the crime. The store used to operate under the name of E-Z Pickin's, which Burns owned up until the business was bought by McDermott Oil. Burns was arrested on Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder on Thursday in the 1979 death of Michelle Martinko. 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. Jerry Lynn Burns of Manchester has been arrested and charged with 1st degree murder in the cold case murder of 18 yr old Michelle Martinko. (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. 'He was in here (Wednesday) morning,' Wright said. "Thats why everybody in town is just like Iam: shocked.. "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," she said. And sometimes he comes back for our lunch specials.'. "The daughter of Jerry was in my graduating class of '99. "You and Michelle will forever be in our thoughts, and we are eternally grateful for your support, trustand confidence over the many years.". Because this moment has finally come. Advertisement Stonebraker and his wife, Janelle, Burns is disabled and didnt own a vehicle, possess a drivers license or have a cell phone. If found guilty of his first-degree murder charges, he'll face life in prison. Martinko always came to her lessons alone but may have had someone waiting for her outside the mall. Jerry, who would have been 25 years old at the time of the murder, was convicted in February 2020. At this moment, Burns, in any case, stays behind the bars. Burns, who was convicted in February of killing Michelle Martinko in 1979, was sentenced to life in prison. 'Mr. Burns used to co-own a truck stop near town. Burns' arrest prompted a round of whispering about two of his family members. Burns was arrested on Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder on Thursday in the 1979 death of Michelle Martinko. (Stephen Mally/The Gazette), Jerry Burns (bottom left) is seen in a photo in a 1972 West Delaware High School year book at the Manchester Public Library in Manchester on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018. Investigators then narrowed down family trees of great grandparents to a first cousin and then Burns and his two brothers. Burns was arrested on Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder on Thursday in the 1979 death of Michelle Martinko. 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 police chief at the time, Ray Baker, said the fatal stabbing "outraged the whole community.". "Ialso feel bad for, you know, his current family and friends because now they have to go through all this as well.". (Stephen Mally/The Gazette), Jerry Burns (on left page, third picture from the top and third picture from the left) part of the senior class in a 1972 West Delaware High School year book at the Manchester Public Library in Manchester on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018. In September 1986, the Iowa Supreme Court rejected claims made byMartinko's father that the shopping center was negligent because it did not provide "reasonable security" for his daughter, the Register reported at the time. John Stonebraker said the three hours it took the jury to reach a verdict was indicative of the strength of the case. But we are trying hard to collect all the information about him and will update you soon. He and his wife, who now residein Florida,said they were gratefulfor the Cedar Rapids community's commitment to the case over the past 40 years. The judge is expected to make a final ruling on what evidence is admissible and if any will be suppressed sometime next week. Add newsletters@thegazette.comto your contacts. At long last, following 40 years of homicide of Michelle Martinko, Burns went to preliminary and was accused of first-degree murder. 2023 www.desmoinesregister.com. There was very little information on the 55-year-old's vanishing and Leclere said there are no leads today. "For Michelles family and friends, we know that the pain of losing a daughter, sister or friend will never go away," Jermansaid. Burns, who was convicted in February of killing Michelle Martinko in 1979, was sentenced to life in prison. They just would not let it go., Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Indeed, in June 2020, his legal advisor, Leon Spies, motioned for a retrial. Instead, it was a Thursday evening news update. Burns was arrested on Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder on Thursday in the 1979 death of Michelle Martinko. All rights reserved. Across the aisle, the benches behind Burns were packed to the brim. Burns, who was convicted in February of killing Michelle Martinko in 1979, was sentenced to life in prison. 'We talked about how he had just dropped his cat off at the vet and about his work, and he said he had a busy day ahead.
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