BARRY COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — A Barry County man will spend the rest of his life in prison without possibility of parole after being convicted of several murder and assault charges from an incident last year.
In June 2019, Jon Otis Burnett was arrested following the shooting deaths of 21-year-old Bryce DeGood from Haslett and 73-year-old Gary L. Peake from Plainwell, as well as attempting to strangle his wife Lynn Burnett.
The shooting occurred near Lewis Road and Lindsey Road in Orangeville Township. Upon arrival, authorities said they found one deceased in a ditch and another in a nearby residence.
At that time, Branch County Prosecutor Julie Nakfoor-Pratt said there were several other witnesses that tried to help the victim in the ditch. Burnett was accused of pointing guns at these witnesses as well.
In August, Burnett was found guilty of over 30 charges, which are listed below:
- Count 1: First Degree Premeditated Murder, victim Gary Peake: Mandatory life in prison without parole
- Count 2: Felony Firearm: mandatory 2 years in prison, to be served prior to the mandatory life sentences.
- Count 3: First Degree Premeditated and Felony Murder, victim Bryce DeGood: Mandatory Life in Prison without parole.
- Counts 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 34 Felony firearm: Mandatory 2 years in prison consecutive to the predicate felonies, but concurrent to the rest of the Felony Firearm convictions.
- Count 7: Assault with Intent to Murder, victim Joseph Powell: 17.5-50 years in prison
- Counts 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, and 29: Felonious Assault: 2.5-4 years in prison
- Counts 31 and 32: Resisting and Obstructing a Police Officer: 16-24 months in prison
- Count 33: Unlawful Imprisonment, victim is Bryce DeGood: 86 months to 15 years in prison.
Reports say that there had been no clear motive established from Burnett, and MLive noted that he declined a chance to make a statement while in court.
He was sentenced Friday.
A statement provided to WKZO News from Prosecutor Julie Nakfoor-Pratt can be read in part below:
“The sentencing, like the trial process in this case, was emotional and difficult for the victims whose lives are forever changed by the senseless and violent acts committed by Mr. Burnett on June 21, 2019.
Mr. Burnett without mercy killed Gary Peake, his longtime friend, and Bryce DeGood, a young man working in Burnett’s neighborhood. He then either shot at, held a gun on, or fired rounds in the air to frighten off and discourage all of the brave citizens who stopped to help Bryce DeGood as he lay on the side of
Lewis Road.
There is no logical explanation for this tragedy.
It is our opinion that Mr. Burnett was motivated by anger and vengeance when he committed these selfish violent acts. There is no place in society for Mr. Burnett, we are grateful that he will spend the rest of his life in prison.
It is our hope that the wonderful memories Gary Peake and Bryce DeGood left here will continue to touch so many lives just as they did in life. We hope of all of the victims and their families find some closure with the conclusion of the trial and sentence, and our greatest hope is that they can someday find the peace they so deserve.”
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