"I wish my parents could be here to see this. pic.twitter.com/0rGdwIk89N. The 42-year-old remembers serving Burns his final cup before he was detained. But Burns will 'forfeit his freedom forever and die alone. The cold-case murder has drawn intense public interest, and Friday's hearing was livestreamed because of limited seating. And sometimes he comes back for our lunch specials.'. Jerry Burns may be a hitched man, having a spouse and kids. To that point in the investigation, we were confident who our perpetrator was, so we figured out the who. But he also said his private investigator had uncovered new evidence that wasn't discovered until June. Andy Seidel Now: Where is Michelle Martinko's Boyfriend Toda Burns was arrested on Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder on Thursday in the 1979 death of Michelle Martinko. He was taken into custody in the evening. Never did I ever think he had a mean bone in his body," said McElliot, 64. Based on the number of stab wounds particularly to the young womans face police considered the homicide personal in nature. I feel bad for the victims family becausetheyve been wondering every day of their life what happened to their daughter," said Russ Wright, who served Burns nearly every day at a local BP gas station. WebView Jerry Paul Burns results in Manchester, IA including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. 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. The Kennedy High School senior had drivento the mall after a school choir banquet to shop for a new winter coat. pic.twitter.com/0rGdwIk89N. (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. Follow the Register onFacebookandTwitterfor updates. 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. In June 2020, his attorney, Leon Spies, motioned for a retrial. In a court document made public Friday, he wrote that he makes $30,000 a year. Burns is charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing death of Michelle Martinko in 1979. She was stabbed and killed 39 yrs ago today in the Westdale Mall parking lot. You have permission to edit this article. In October 2018, Matthew Denlinger, a Cedar Rapids police investigator,saw Burns drink sodas out of a plastic glass with a clear straw. 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. "We would ride up and down that road by his house and never thought anything of it," she said. For nearly 40 years, the family of slain high schooler Michelle Martinko waited for an arrest. If found guilty of his first-degree murder charges, he'll face life in prison. During an interview with the Des Moines Register, Laymon called the arrest "amazing" news and said she was relieved. Jerry Burns, of Manchester, was arrested for the murder on the 39-year anniversary of her death. Cedar Rapids police then used DNA genetic genealogical research to narrow the profile "down to a specific pool of suspects, which included Burns, according to a criminal complaint. Where Could Jerry Burns Now be? The mothers name is Not Available. 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. A need Mr. Burns kept hidden all his adult life. "Everybody was so anxious last night to see a picture to make sure it was actually, you know, him," Mormann said. "I am thrilled for her sister, Janelle, and wish her parents were alive to see this," Laymon said. Spies argued that if the defense had this evidence at trial, jurors might have come back with a different verdict. 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. The man accused, Jerry Burns of Manchester, is charged with 1st-degree murder for the death of Michelle Martinko, a Kennedy High School senior at the time of her death. 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. 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. Police did question Jerry about his cousin's disappearance and about his wife Patricia, whose 2008 death was ruled a suicide. When the father of three did stop in, Wright said they would make small talk, chatting about work and plans for the day. (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. In high school, Burns ran track and was involved in FFA, McElliot said. Family of the man charged with first-degree murder in the killing of Michelle Martinko speaks out, says the arrest in cold case brings them joy just before Christmas. Burns then turned toward his family, sitting in the courtroom, and thanked them for their support. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette), Cedar Rapids Police Investigator Matt Denlinger listens as First Assistant Linn County Attorney Nicholas Maybanks (out of frame) speaks at a sentencing hearing for Jerry Lynn Burns at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Aug. 7, 2020. As Becky Moreno stopped for lunch on Thursday afternoon, she reflected on growing up just down the street from Jerry Burns and his family. Delaware CountySheriff John Leclere saidauthorities "don't have any reason to suspect (Burns) in either case.". Burns, who was convicted in February of killing Michelle Martinko in 1979, was sentenced to life in prison. An obituary for Burns wife, Patricia, says that she died in June Burns' trial attracted national attention because the cold case was solved after 39 years due in large part to DNA evidence and genetic genealogy. We have no more information about his spouse. 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. "You and Michelle will forever be in our thoughts, and we are eternally grateful for your support, trustand confidence over the many years.". MANCHESTER, Ia. (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. 563-927-3135. '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. Burns was arrested on Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder on Thursday in the 1979 death of Michelle Martinko. Staff writer Erin Jordan contributed to this story. That company, police said, produced portraits for the associated person of interest. (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. As Becky Moreno stopped for lunch on Thursday afternoon, she reflected on growing up just down the street from Jerry Burns and his family. Burns was arrested on Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder on Thursday in the 1979 death of Michelle Martinko. "His first wife's death was a suicide, so he was talked to, but it was clearly a suicide," said the sheriff of 18 years. Stonebrakersat in the front row of the courtroom, flanked by her husband, John, and oldest son, Robert. Last updated May 14, 2020; details of disappearance updated. This is something that affects the whole community, and everybody wants answers. Wright said he never saw any signs that Burns was under investigation. The teen was stabbed 29 times, according to testimony. 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. Select the best result to find their address, phone number, relatives, and public records. Across the aisle, the benches behind Burns were packed to the brim. Hundreds of people were interviewed and countless leads were followed, police said a year after the slaying. 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. She opened her restaurant about five years ago, she said, and it has since become a local lunch spot where everyone knows everyone. Burns, who was convicted in February of killing Michelle Martinko in 1979, was sentenced to life in prison. 'I'd say the reaction today has been utter disbelief,' said Jackie Mormann, owner of The Bread Basket, a local eatery on Main Street in downtown Manchester. Burns, who would have been 25 at the time of Martinko's death, said he could not offer a "plausible explanation" forwhy his DNA was found at the crime scene, authorities said at the time of his arrest. 'You'll never convince me he did something like that.'. If you know some information, please comment below. "I am happy Michelle finally gets justice. A retired teacher, John Curran, of Manchester, said he knows Burns from Bob Stephen Motors, a Manchester car dealership where the men occasionally would see each other and talk. 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. Where Is Jerry Lynn Burns Now? Then for proof. 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. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()), Who Is Denzel Browning-Wilkins? Then for proof. Burns was convicted of first-degree murder in February. Burns is being held at Linn County Jail on a $5 million cash bond. Detectives found no weapon or fingerprints to identify a suspect and said Martinko had not been robbed. Previous to Jerry's current city of Manchester, IA, Jerry Burns lived in Cedar Falls IA. for the murder of Michelle Martinko 39 years later. Wounds on the teens hands showed she fought her killer. With little to no leads to go on, there was little that detectives could do to solve the case. 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. "No, I must not have asked properly, we were never instructed in school how to ask..they just seemed to ignore it," said Burns. Burns' wife, Patricia, died by suicide in 2008. 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 mandatory penalty for first-degree murder in Iowa is life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. She even graduated with his youngest daughter. McElliot said he felt bad for Burns as he listened to news accounts of Burns' arrest Wednesday. But with 39-years later, limited information, that's a long time that's gone by. ", "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. Mormann said, "I havent seen him recently but over the years, you know, our kids and their kids grew up, we saw each other, and I knew his first wife and just a wonderful family, too.. Burns will appear in Linn County District Court tomorrow morning. All rights reserved. Moreno said, "I would have never guessed. The case remained unsolved until Wednesday night when police announced they used DNA evidence to link Burns to the crime. Here's the Update in His Case. "Every TV was on the news.". Cheryl Hollrah, the sports bar cook, worked at Westdale Mall in Cedar Rapids, whereMartinko's body was found in a car 39 years ago. 'Mr. Burns is disabled and didnt own a vehicle, possess a drivers license or have a cell phone. WebJerry S Burns in Manchester, IA. Spies asserted that the way authorities went about obtaining DNA from Burns and his family members to prove his DNA was found at the crime scene was a violation of the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments. We cant say their name. 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. Some who knew Burns well are having a hard time believing he was arrested. The brothers were eliminated as suspects during the investigation. He announced that the way in which experts drew closer getting DNA from Burns and his family members to show his DNA was found at the wrongdoing area was an encroachment of the fourth and fourteenth alterations. Until now, Stonebraker said. Jerry Burnss Family releases statement following arrest in 18-year-old Michelle Martinko was killed Dec. 19, 1979, Subscribe to the Public Safety newsletter, Caleb McCullough, Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau. Using newer technology, Cedar Rapids police last yearcreated profiles fromDNA procured from case evidence in 2006. Spies asked the judge to suppress part of the research Cole used to make his report, pointing out this was a very unusual case. Burns is being held at Linn County Jail on a $5 million cash bond. According to an affidavit, Birky, in a phone interview with an investigator who works for Spies, said she had been giving organ lessons to Martinko in 1979 at 'Carma Lou's House of Music. Martinko had lessons between 8:30 and 9 p.m., Birky said. 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. "Correct, I had no explanation," said Burns. (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. Stonebraker said he is sad for the Burns family and wanted to 'wish them well.. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette), Jerry Lynn Burns and defense attorney Leon Spies (right) react as Sixth Judicial District Judge Fae Hoover reads Burns' sentence at a hearing at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Aug. 7, 2020. Burns, who was convicted in February of killing Michelle Martinko in 1979, was sentenced to life in prison. "But the world's a big place and we dont know anything about anybody. But we are trying hard to collect all the information about him and will update you soon. 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. Decades after the death, he had a voice in the first-degree murder sentencing of Jerry Burns, 66, of Manchester. '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. We remain so grateful to generations of Cedar Rapids law enforcement that acted like a dog with a bone, Stonebraker said. ", "This is Michelles day," he added. Aug. 7, 2020 6:12 pm, Updated: Aug. 7, 2020 8:23 pm. The profile found a hit with DNA from Brandy Jennings, a distant cousin, in the GEDmatch database, which is public. ", 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. ", Elizabeth Laymon, who was high school friends with Martinko, said shevividly remembersthe day classmates sobbed after they learned of the stabbing. Maybanks recapped Monday how witnesses in the two weeks prior outlined an extensive chain of custody of the evidence to ensure no new DNA could have been introduced into the packages containing Martinko's bloodied clothes and pieces of the car. Prosecutors said she was stabbed to death. 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. 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