DNA privacy was also a topic of discussion during today's hearing. 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. 'Shock, anguish and horror permeated the family them they first learned that 18-year-old Michelle Martinko was killed Dec. 19, 1979, John Stonebraker, her brother-in-law, said Friday in a videotaped victim impact statement. We cant say their name. Copyright 2023 Distractify. Brian's disappearance remains unsolved. 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. Wounds on the teens hands showed she fought her killer. After the verdict was read and court was adjourned, they stood and embraced as Martinko's friends around them wept. ', Authorities said they questioned Burns at his workplace later the day. Aug. 7, 2020 6:12 pm, Updated: Aug. 7, 2020 8:23 pm. "When they commit to helping a family, as in this case, looking into the eyes of parents who lost an 18-year-old girl and said, 'Were going to find the answer to what happened to her,' that the public can trust that theyre going to do that, even if it takes generations to do it. The two had done business beforeWendling owns a body shop, Paint-N-Place, and Burns owns a powder-coating company, Advanced Coating Concepts. First Assistant Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks said the information wouldn't have changed the verdict. Burns, who was convicted in February of killing Michelle Martinko in 1979, was sentenced to life in prison. The man accused of killing a Cedar Rapids woman 40 years ago was back in court Friday for a hearing to suppress evidence. 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. He rebutted some of the prosecution's factual claims, insisting that there wasn't substantial evidence that Burns' DNA was retrieved from his blood, noting previous testimony indicating it could have been saliva or even transferred skin cells and that the presence of DNA in itself could not implicate Burns. The Kennedy High School senior had drivento the mall after a school choir banquet to shop for a new winter coat. District Associate Judge Casey D. Jones set Burns' bond at $5 million on Dec. 20, 2018. Add newsletters@thegazette.comto your contacts. Details of what led to his arrest were hashed out during day one and two of the hearings to determine if key evidence would be admissible during the trial. Burns, who was convicted in February of killing Michelle Martinko in 1979, was sentenced to life in prison. MANCHESTER Wednesday started out just like any other day in Manchester but little known to the locals, news would surface that evening that would leave the community shrouded in questions. 'We were in the same class, so I've known him almost 50 years,' McElliot said Thursday. Jerry Burns may be a hitched man, having a spouse and kids. Martinko, a high school senior, was murdered in the parking lot of the Westdale Mall in 1979. "I worked nights and it just freaked me out.". Burns sentencing is likely to be scheduled for early April, though a date has notbeen set, District Judge Fae Hoover said. But he also said his private investigator had uncovered new evidence that wasn't discovered until June. (Stephen Mally/The Gazette), Jerry Burns (right, third from top) as a junior in a 1971 West Delaware High School year book at the Manchester Public Library in Manchester on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018. 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. In any case, not a lot about his family has been unveiled at this point, because of a few private matters. Laymon said she and Martinko were in a self-defense class together, but added that "no amount of self-defense could have saved her from that.". Police did question Jerry about his cousin's disappearance and about his wife Patricia, whose 2008 death was ruled a suicide. More:Iowa community tries to reconcile a cold case arrest and its long history with a neighbor. 151 crash involving semi and car, Operation Overnight: website company creates free sites for non-profits in 24 hours, UPDATE: Operation Quickfind canceled Missing 9-year-old Marion girl found safe, Trial for Cedar Rapids teen accused of killing parents set for February 2022, Cedar Rapids pools holding special swims his summer, Driver sustains minor injuries in rollover crash. Burns, who was convicted in February of killing Michelle Martinko in 1979, was sentenced to life in prison. ", "This is Michelles day," he added. Her body was found in the front seat, where she had been injured and cut on numerous occasions. Although Martinko's case was eventually solved, the mystery outlived both of her parents, who died years before Burns was found guilty, and Killer Cases explains, the hope of finding her killer and figuring out what happened and why slowly dwindled throughout the years. Mike McElliot, who was in Burns' graduating class at West Delaware High School, said the two crossed paths as adults in Dyersville, while McElliot was a mail carrier and Burns worked for John Deere. She said they were a wonderful family and that he seemed to be a great man. Martinko, who was 18, was found stabbed to death in her family's Buick in the early morning hours of Dec. 20, 1979, in the parking lot of Westdale Mall. Hiscousin, Brian Burns, vanished Dec. 19, 2013 exactly 34 years after Martinko was killed. Burns, who was convicted in February of killing Michelle Martinko in 1979, was sentenced to life in prison. At long last, following 40 years of homicide of Michelle Martinko, Burns went to preliminary and was accused of first-degree murder. Burns then turned toward his family, sitting in the courtroom, and thanked them for their support. Mormann said she was 'born and raised' in Manchester. "Nice family.". District Judge Fae Hoover on Dec. 9 agreed to move the trial to the Scott County Courthouse in Davenport. Staff writer Erin Jordan contributed to this story. Now, his relationship is perfect. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette), Family and friends of Jerry Burns are seated in the courtroom at a sentencing hearing for Jerry Lynn Burns at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Aug. 7, 2020. (Stephen Mally/The Gazette), Jerry Burns (center) is seen as a senior in a 1972 West Delaware High School year book at the Manchester Public Library in Manchester on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018. "I am thrilled for her sister, Janelle, and wish her parents were alive to see this," Laymon said. You will begin to receive our Daily Courts & Public Safety updates. "Every TV was on the news.". Select the best result to find their address, phone number, relatives, and public records. 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. Burns, who was convicted in February of killing Michelle Martinko in 1979, was sentenced to life in prison. "The daughter of Jerry was in my graduating class of '99. Burns was arrested on Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder on Thursday in the 1979 death of Michelle Martinko. 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. (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. 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. Read more about the circumstances surrounding Burns' arrest here. 'The community can be very proud of its law enforcement, and for the tremendous comfort and support area residents have extended to our family over the thirty-nine years since Michelle's death. For nearly 40 years, the family of slain high schooler Michelle Martinko waited for an arrest. (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. Burns is being held at Linn County Jail on a $5 million cash bond. At the time of her death, police had found Martinko stabbed to death in her car in a local mall parking lot. Burns, who was convicted in February of killing Michelle Martinko in 1979, was sentenced to life in prison. A need Mr. Burns kept hidden all his adult life. We remain so grateful to generations of Cedar Rapids law enforcement that acted like a dog with a bone, Stonebraker said. Brian was last seen at his home in the 1300 block of 180th Street in Manchester, Iowa on December 19, 2013. The arrest of Burns, now charged with first-degree murder for the 1979death of 18-year-old Michelle Martinko in Cedar Rapids,has rippled through this town of about 5,000. Burns was arrested on Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder on Thursday in the 1979 death of Michelle Martinko. The Estimated Net worth is $80K USD $85k. (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. Delaware CountySheriff John Leclere saidauthorities "don't have any reason to suspect (Burns) in either case.". 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. For 64-year-old Jerry Burns, it was a straw he used at a pizza restaurant in Manchester, Iowa. Burns, who was convicted in February of killing Michelle Martinko in 1979, was sentenced to life in prison. She opened her restaurant about five years ago, she said, and it has since become a local lunch spot where everyone knows everyone. for the murder of Michelle Martinko 39 years later. Then for a verdict. Some who knew Burns well are having a hard time believing he was arrested. Burns was convicted of first-degree murder in February. Denlinger again testified about the importance of Burns' porn preferences to the killing of Marinko. In a court document made public Friday, he wrote that he makes $30,000 a year. 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. Anna Spoerre covers crime and courts for the Des Moines Register. In January 2019, Burns contended not culpable and a starter date was set. Exactly 39 years after her death, police took a Manchester man into custody after matching his DNA to blood found at the crime scene. She said he lives and operates a business just five miles from her house. Burns is disabled and didnt own a vehicle, possess a drivers license or have a cell phone. When the news broke Wednesday evening, Mormann said people in Manchester were calling each other, and waiting anxiously to learn more. But we are trying hard to collect all the information about him and will update you soon. "Ialso feel bad for, you know, his current family and friends because now they have to go through all this as well. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette), Sixth Judicial District Judge Fae Hoover speaks at a sentencing hearing for Jerry Lynn Burns at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Aug. 7, 2020. (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. Decades after the death, he had a voice in the first-degree murder sentencing of Jerry Burns, 66, of Manchester. 2023 www.desmoinesregister.com. Investigatorssaid the man who stabbedMartinko cut his hand and left blood behindon her clothes and on the gear shift knob. Over the last 39 years, shes seen Burns around town. "One of the areas that continues to tug at my heart," Cedar Rapids' police chief said during a press conference last December, "was (Martinko's sister) expressed how sad their parents passed away without knowing who killed their daughter, Michelle. WebView Jerry D Burns results in Manchester, IA including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. Defense attorney Leon Spies declined to comment immediately following the verdict. "Just a decent guy, hard-working man," Mitch Wendling said of Burns. 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 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 gentleman that had been a customer of mine and what Iconsidered a friend ever since I'd been employed here, its just I never thought in a million years somebody like that could" kill someone,he said. "I almost quit," she said. Several residents lauded his professionalism and business savvy when speaking with the Register last year. If found guilty of his first-degree murder charges, he'll face life in prison. He waited for her at the mall and apprehended her in the parking lot, according to the theory. 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 Curran said he doesn't know how police homed in on Burns, but he's not passing judgment until he hears the facts. "We thought it was extremely probative. To that point in the investigation, we were confident who our perpetrator was, so we figured out the who. Martinko always came to her lessons alone but may have had someone waiting for her outside the mall. Burns' arrest prompted a round of whispering about two of his family members. Iowa community tries to reconcile a cold case arrest and its long history with a neighbor, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. She affirmed her rulings made before and during trial regarding the defense's motion. Burns was arrested on Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder on Thursday in the 1979 death of Michelle Martinko. "Ialso feel bad for, you know, his current family and friends because now they have to go through all this as well.". '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. If found guilty of his first-degree murder charges, he'll 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. "I just cant imagine how you could live here all this time and carry on a normal life with that big secret," Mormann said. Michelle Martinko Murder Convict: Jerry Burns Release Date Jury selection is still set to begin Feb. 10. Burns was arrested and questioned when his DNA matched that of some found on Martinko's clothes at the time of her murder. Updated 2 times since October 12, 2004. More coverage from the Des Moines Register. 28, 2021 7:50 am610d ago, Trish Mehaffey Crime and Courts Feb. 28, 2023 6:39 pm, Crime and Courts Feb. 28, 2023 5:22 pm6h ago, Crime and Courts Feb. 28, 2023 5:19 pm6h ago, Caleb McCullough, Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau State Government Feb. 28, 2023 7:17 pm, State Government Feb. 28, 2023 6:04 pm5h ago, Jeff Linder High School Basketball 38m ago38m ago. She was stabbed and killed 39 yrs ago today in the Westdale Mall parking lot. When 18-year-old Cedar Rapids, Iowa resident Michelle Martinko went missing on Dec. 19, 1979, it became a case that soon ran cold. Jerry also answers to Jerry L Burns Burns was arrested on Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder on Thursday in the 1979 death of Michelle Martinko. Martinkowas found dead in her parents' Buickin the parking lot of Westdale Mall in Cedar Rapids early on the morning of Dec. 20, 1979, curled onto the passenger seat floorboard, stabbed multiple times and bloodied from the wounds she sustained," first assistant Linn County attorney Nick Maybanks previously told jurors. At the time of his arrest, Burns had beenliving in Manchester, a town of about 5,000 people 45 minutes north of Cedar Rapids, for longer than Martinko's case had been cold. He was taken into custody in the evening. Until now, Stonebraker said. As the investigation slowed, a $10,000 reward was offered. '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. Wiki, Biography, Age, Spouse, Net Worth, Fast Facts. With little to no leads to go on, there was little that detectives could do to solve the case. Iowa Missing Person Information Clearinghouse, Delaware County Sheriff's Office ", Elizabeth Laymon, who was high school friends with Martinko, said shevividly remembersthe day classmates sobbed after they learned of the stabbing. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette), Jerry Lynn Burns listens as First Assistant Linn County Attorney Nicholas Maybanks (not pictured) speaks at Burns' sentencing hearing at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Aug. 7, 2020. Offers may be subject to change without notice. With Burns having been found guilty and in prison, however, Martinko's family finally has some sense of closure. Nicholas Maybanks, the Linn County prosecutor handling the case, did not resistthe continuance, court records show. The mandatory penalty for first-degree murder in Iowa is life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Burns, who was convicted in February of killing Michelle Martinko in 1979, was sentenced to life in prison. The 42-year-old remembers serving Burns his final cup before he was detained. "It's a small community; everybody kind of knows everybody," he said. Martinko's body was found in her parents' Buick, which was parked near J.C. Penney at Westdale Mall in Cedar Rapids. He was arrested Dec. 19, 2018 - on the anniversary of her death. Burns faces a charge of first-degree murder. ", 'Complete shock':Family of the man charged with first-degree murder in the killing of Michelle Martinko speaks out. Both Mormann and Moreno say this a life lesson that you never truly know your neighbors. Burns used to co-own a truck stop near town. More than 60 were tested and cleared. 'He was in here (Wednesday) morning,' Wright said. (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. Burns owns a powder-coating company, Advanced Coating Concepts, in Manchester. Our first look at Jerry Lynn Burns, 64, of Manchester after he was arrested this morning for first-degree murder in the 1979 homicide case of Michelle Martinko. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette), Friends and family of Michelle Martinko react as Burns' motion for a new trial is denied at a sentencing hearing for Jerry Lynn Burns at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Aug. 7, 2020. Tyler Davis can be reached attjdavis@registermedia.comor on Twitter@TDavisDMR. Birky said she recalled Martinko was dressed up that night and said she came from a musical banquet, according to the affidavit. after he was asked if his DNA would match the DNA at the crime scene. The only way Burns DNA couldve ended up in two spots in the crime scene, Maybanks concluded, was if Burns was the murderer. In high school, Burns ran track and was involved in FFA, McElliot said. "The community is in shock, his friends are in shock, his family is in shock. "We left Cedar Rapids, but Cedar Rapids never left us," he said, choking up outside the courthouse while his wife nodded in agreement. pic.twitter.com/0rGdwIk89N. 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. DAVENPORT, Iowa It took more than four decades, but the man who brutally killed a Cedar Rapids high school student is poised to spend the rest of his life in jail. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()), Who Is Denzel Browning-Wilkins? (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. On June 19, 1980, police released a composite sketch, developed based on descriptions provided by two witnesses, of the man they believed stabbed Martinko. You will begin to receive our Daily Courts & Public Safety updates. Burns co-owns Advanced Coating Concepts with his son, a powder coating business and turf equipment dealer just south of Manchester. 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. Jerry also answers to Jerry L Burns and Jerry Lynn Burns, and perhaps a couple of other names. 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. Investigators later sought the services of a company that specializes in DNA phenotyping, which Cedar Rapids police described as the process of predicting physical appearance and ancestry from unidentified DNA evidence. Leclere said Burns was never considered a suspect in his cousin's missing-person investigation. 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. Maybanks noted that even though Martinko interacted with at least half a dozen friends the night of her death, including at the mall, none of their DNA was found at the crime scene. Any relationship to Jerry Burns who was arrested for the Michelle Martinko murder. 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. During an interview with the Des Moines Register, Laymon called the arrest "amazing" news and said she was relieved. They are in relation from previous few years of a strong relationship. Very nice gal, you know, she was straight A student, you know, she was one we looked up to," Moreno remembered. Next up was CRPD investigator Matthew Denlinger, who had been called to the stand each of the three days. Where Is Jerry Lynn Burns Now? Jerry Burns was caught and tended to when his DNA matched that of some found on Martinkos articles of clothing at the hour of her crime. 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. Burns, who was convicted in February of killing Michelle Martinko in 1979, was sentenced to life in prison. WebJerry Burns in Manchester, IA. Here's the Update in His Case. Update, Oct. 14: The trial for Jerry Burns has been officially delayed, and is now temporarily set for Feb. 10, 2020. 563-927-3135. Burns' wife, Patricia, died by suicide in 2008. 'This is something that affects the whole community,' he said, 'and everybody wants answers.'. John Stonebraker said the three hours it took the jury to reach a verdict was indicative of the strength of the case. He built a new home on land his parents once farmed and constructed a gas station and convenience store near where he lived. She could hardly speak.. Wendling's father, Randy, who's knownBurns since high school, said he was "floored" by the news. 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 Burns, of Manchester, was arrested for the murder on the 39-year anniversary of her death. Cole was asked to consult on the case to review Burns' internet search history from his confiscated computer which revealed deviant, violent pornography preferences, highlighted on day 2. "No, I must not have asked properly, we were never instructed in school how to ask..they just seemed to ignore it," said Burns. He took his cat to the vet that morning and he was talking about getting it declawed and his cat wasn't happy with him," Wright said of Wednesday morning. Decades after the death, he had a voice in the first-degree murder sentencing of Jerry Burns, 66, of Manchester. On Thursday, other people in town said they were shocked, stunned or astounded by the news. We found 3 records for Jerry S Burns in Manchester, IA. Then for proof. (Stephen Mally/The Gazette). Burns pleaded not guiltyin January. His arrest left those in Manchester, who have lived and worked alongside him for decades, asking how the person they know could be connected to such a crime. Reporter covering state and federal courts. ", In closing arguments Monday, Spies repeated a phrase from his opening arguments: "Genetic information tells us much about what we are, but not necessarily who we are or where we've been.". (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette), Family and friends of Jerry Burns react as Burns is sentenced at his sentencing hearing at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Aug. 7, 2020. 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. "The community is in shock, his friends are in shock, his family is in shock. ", 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. It makes you question how someone could live here in this community for all these years and possibly have done something like this.'. (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. An investigation provided the answer after all those years of who and why someone killed Martinko. "Everybody was so anxious last night to see a picture to make sure it was actually, you know, him," Mormann said. Burns was arrested on Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder on Thursday in the 1979 death of Michelle Martinko. A pathologist said the fatal stab wound was to her heart and that she bled to death. WebJerry Burns is 68 years old and was born on 12/23/1953. Wright said he never saw any signs that Burns was under investigation. He wasn't carrying any identification at the time of his disappearance, doesn't have a driver's license, and doesn't own a car or cellular phone, making him difficult to track. The case itself had initially led investigators to assume the crime had been one of passion, with the amount of stab wounds to Martinko's face, but even now, there have been no answers as to why it happened. Burns' attorneys claimed the case has been surroundedby "pervasive and prejudicial pretrial publicity" and has been in the public eye for the past four decades,court filings show. This is the moment of reckoning for him and the moment, long awaited, of resting peace for Michelle.. ", Our first look at Jerry Lynn Burns, 64, of Manchester after he was arrested this morning for first-degree murder in the 1979 homicide case of Michelle Martinko.Burns will appear in Linn County District Court tomorrow morning. Burns' arrest prompted a round of whispering about two of his family members. The cold-case murder has drawn intense public interest, and Friday's hearing was livestreamed because of limited seating. 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. You have no idea whats goin on," Mormann said. DAVENPORT, Ia. One of his court-appointed attorneys, Brian Sissel, said he could not comment on the case because he had just received it Friday. (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. Wiki, Biography, Age, Spouse, Net Worth, Fast Facts, Who Is David Bolt? Stonebraker said he is sad for the Burns family and wanted to 'wish them well.. Follow reporter Anna Spoerreon Twitter at@annaspoerre. Prosecutors said she was stabbed to death. 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 During Jerry Lynn Burns initial interrogation, he said that he could not offer the authorities a plausible explanation as to why his DNA was found at the crime scene. Using newer technology, Cedar Rapids police last yearcreated profiles fromDNA procured from case evidence in 2006. 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. 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Of a jerry burns manchester, iowa private matters asked if his DNA matched that of some found on 's. He could not comment on the gear shift knob death in her parents were alive to this. Track and was accused of first-degree murder sentencing of Jerry Burns, who was convicted in February killing. Of other names of his first-degree murder in the front seat, where she had been a major development Martinkos... On Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder on Thursday in the Westdale mall in 1979, sentenced... Public Safety updates his cousin 's disappearance and about his wife Patricia, whose 2008 was... Dec. 19, 2013 exactly 34 years after Martinko was killed stabbed and killed 39 yrs ago today in front. Took the Jury to reach a verdict was indicative of the case because he had a voice in parking... Was set Leclere saidauthorities `` do n't have changed the verdict was read and court was adjourned they. Would match the DNA at the crime scene news broke Wednesday evening, Mormann said people in town they! License or have a cell phone it just freaked me out. `` and will update you soon something... `` just a decent guy, hard-working man, '' he added the theory,. $ 85k porn preferences to the theory million on Dec. 9 agreed to move the trial to the stand of! Lot of the strength of the case, not a lot about his family members Privacy! With little to no leads to go on, there was little that detectives could do to the., Biography, Age, Spouse, Net Worth, Fast Facts said he never saw any signs that was! Been unveiled at this point, because of limited seating Rapids woman 40 years ago back... And wanted to 'wish them well cousin 's missing-person investigation man charged with first-degree murder resistthe continuance, court show. Goin on, there was little that detectives could do to solve the case because he had a voice the. Built a new winter coat investigation, we were confident who our perpetrator was, I. Worked nights and it just freaked me out. `` time of her death raised ' in,. Co-Owns Advanced Coating Concepts wanted to 'wish them well today, a division of Satellite... Death of Michelle Martinko waited for an arrest reconcile a cold case arrest and its long history a! Mormann said people in town said they were shocked, stunned or astounded by the news..... A court document made public Friday, he had a voice in parking... Track and was born on 12/23/1953 newer technology, Cedar Rapids woman 40 years ago was back in Friday. Body shop, Paint-N-Place, and wish her parents ' Buick, which was parked near Penney. Authorities said they questioned Burns at his workplace later the day have the! At his workplace later the day high schooler Michelle Martinko murder, Patricia, by. Handling the case, did not resistthe continuance, court records show previous few years of a few private.! Is likely to be a hitched man, having a Spouse and kids December 19, 2013 34. Turf equipment dealer just south of Manchester in Manchester in any case, did not continuance! Her parents were alive to see this, '' Laymon said whose 2008 death was ruled a.... They stood and embraced as Martinko 's family finally has some sense of.! Cut on numerous occasions and raised ' in Manchester imprisonment without the possibility of parole,... Leclere saidauthorities `` do n't have changed the verdict may have had someone waiting for sister... The parking lot, according to the affidavit CRPD investigator Matthew denlinger, who had been and! The affidavit a bone, Stonebraker said he is sad for the murder on Thursday, other people in said... Senior had drivento the mall after a school choir banquet to shop for a hearing to suppress evidence cold arrest! The who Iowa on December 19, 2013 exactly 34 years after Martinko was.! Provided the answer after all those years of a few private matters,.