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Defrosting Cold Cases

Research website by Alice de Sturler

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You are here: Home / Archives for Michelle Marie Martinko

Michelle Marie Martinko

Life sentence in Michelle Martinko murder

August 7, 2020 By Alice

Michelle Martinko, courtesy Robert J. Riley

Today, we close the case of Michelle Martinko. Jerry Lynn Burns received the mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. He was ordered to pay victim restitution of $150’000 to the estate of Michelle Marie Martinko or her heirs. The defense is seeking a restitution hearing on a later date. Burns […]

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Filed Under: Cold Case News Tagged With: Cedar Rapids, DNA, Iowa, Knife Attack, Michelle Marie Martinko

Is the use of genetic testing constitutional?

June 17, 2020 By Alice

The Ethics of Forensic Genealogy by AdS

Genetic testing is what finally brought the case of Michelle Marie Martinko in court. Jerry Lynn Burns (66) was found guilty of Michelle’s 1979 murder based on genetic testing of DNA. He is awaiting his sentencing hearing. It will be the mandatory life sentence. In the meantime, his attorney, Leon Spies, is working on the […]

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Filed Under: Cold Case News, Forensics Tagged With: Cedar Rapids, DNA, Forensic Genealogy, Iowa, Michelle Marie Martinko

Guilty verdict in Martinko Trial

February 24, 2020 By Alice

Michelle Martinko, courtesy Robert J. Riley

Today were the closing arguments for the prosecution and the defense in the 1979 murder case of Michelle Marie Martinko. The order was as follows: First Assistant Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks gave his closing arguments. The defense attorney Leon Spies, gave his for his client Jerry Burns. After that, the state got the change […]

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Filed Under: Cold Case News Tagged With: DNA, Iowa, knife, Michelle Marie Martinko

Michelle Martinko Trial Feb 20, 2020

February 20, 2020 By Alice

Michelle Martinko, courtesy Robert J. Riley

The defense rests in the Michelle Martinko murder trial. I was stunned but here it is: “After just one witness, attorneys defending a man accused of killing a Cedar Rapids teen more than 40 years ago have finished presenting evidence. Burns said he will not testify during the trial.” The defense started and finished within […]

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Filed Under: Cold Case News Tagged With: DNA, Iowa, Knife Attack, Michelle Marie Martinko

Michelle Martinko Trial: update through Feb 19, 2020

February 19, 2020 By Alice

Michelle Martinko

Michelle Martinko trial updates Feb 18 – 19, 2020: Feb 18: Two points to take away: 1: DNA We learn that a senior DNA lab analyst at Bode Technology examined the following pieces of  evidence: blood taken from the gear shift from the Martinko Family car and the mouth swab taken from Jerry Burns. Her […]

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Filed Under: Cold Case News Tagged With: DNA, Iowa, Knife Attack, Michelle Marie Martinko

Michelle Martinko Trial: Update through Feb 17, 2020

February 17, 2020 By Alice

Michelle Martinko

Four points of interest in the Michelle Martinko trial: 1: Male DNA profile found at the crime scene led police to believe the suspect cut himself during the attack. Authorities composed lists of suspects to contact for cheek (buccal) swaps. These men included ex-boyfriends. From the entire list (not sure of the total number of […]

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Filed Under: Cold Case News Tagged With: DNA, Iowa, Knife Attack, Michelle Marie Martinko

Martinko murder trial update Feb 13, 2020

February 13, 2020 By Alice

Michelle Martinko, courtesy Robert J. Riley

A brief overview in the Michelle Martinko murder trial update Feb 13, 2020 with information taken from various newspapers. Jury selection: nine women and six men were selected from a pool of over 100 potential jurors. Three will serve as alternates. The State: represented by the following prosecutors: First Assistant Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks […]

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Filed Under: Cold Case News Tagged With: DNA, Iowa, Michelle Marie Martinko, stabbing death

Holiday Tragedies

December 22, 2017 By Alice

Holiday Tragedies AdS 2017

The last days of December are filled with joy and cheer for most of us but for some, they are the Holiday Tragedies. Celebrating several days together with loved ones isn’t an option for everyone. Some of us are alone and not always by choice. Some of us were robbed of loved ones. It stings […]

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Filed Under: Unsolved Tagged With: Barbara Ann Blatnik, Betty Gene Hull, Brenda Lee Harvey Martinez, Charles Clark, Michelle Marie Martinko, Rhonda Annette Hinson, Sodder Children, Zeiger Family

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Author Notes

On my website, I write about old, unsolved cases. Most are from the pre-DNA era and need renewed media attention. I only do research and leave active investigation of these cases to the professionals.

My posts are about homicides, missing and unidentified people, wrongful convictions, and forensics as related to these cases.

On book reviews: I only review select works of true crime, crime fiction, and historical fiction/mysteries. The stories have to fit my website's theme and research. It remains my prerogative to not review a book. Please check the FAQ page for more!

My database has hundreds of cases listed by the victim’s last name. You will find a brief description there as well. The database is free to the public.

All writing suggestions for cases that come in by email are added to my to-do list in the order in which they were received. Please be patient. My to-do list is very long but no case gets dropped and I will get back in touch.

If you have any questions about my website please check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page, the about page, and the tabs in both menu bars. If you still cannot find the answer there, please contact me.

Thank you,

Alice de Sturler

Copyright

If you use my work, please add a link back. Let your readers know where you found your information. I do the same for you. Thank you!

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William Thomas Zeigler

Category: ALL POSTS

On March 31, 2016, an evidentiary hearing was held to request touch DNA testing. On July 18, 2016, Judge Whitehead denied that request.

On November 23, 2016, an appeal was filed with the Florida Supreme Court. On April 21, 2017, the Florida Supreme Court denied the request for touch DNA analysis.

On May 8, 2017 a motion for a rehearing with the US Supreme Court was filed. It was denied November 13, 2017.

In the summer of 2019, the appeal for DNA testing to the Florida Conviction Integrity Unit was denied.

Richard Lapointe

Category: ALL POSTS

In March 2015, the Connecticut State Supreme Court ordered a new trial for Richard lapointe. On Oct 2, 2015, International Wrongful Conviction Day, Richard was set free. The judge ruled that he cannot be retried for the 1987 rape-murder of Mrs. Bernice Martin. Richard Lapointe died on Aug 4, 2020 of Covid19 complications.

In 1987, someone killed Bernice Martin. I hope that she will not become a forgotten file.
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Copyright: Please add a link back if you use my work. Let your readers know where you found your information. I do the same for you. If you need help with this, just contact me. Thank you, Alice de Sturler

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