(WWJ) — For the second time, a Macomb County man has been found guilty of murdering his boss at work.
Last Friday a Macomb County jury convicted 32-year-old Jerry Motley on a number of charges, including first-degree premeditated murder in connection with the 2018 killing of Thomas Badke, the owner of Reliable Fence in Clinton Township.
Motley brought a gun to his job at Reliable Fence on Jan. 9, 2018 and shot co-worker Angelo Micale twice before going into Badke’s office, according to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office. There, he shot Badke at close range, killing him.
Motley tried to flee the scene, but was taken into custody and provided a confession a few hours later, according to the prosecutor’s office. Micale survived the shooting.
After a trial that lasted more than two weeks, Motley was found guilty of first-degree murder, going armed with a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent and two counts of felony firearm.
The jury rejected claims that Motley was legally insane at the time of the shooting.
Motley was also found guilty in the case back in 2019, but his conviction was overturned after his trial counsel was found to be ineffective.
Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido called it a “cold, calculated and premeditated murder.”
“Justice has finally been served. Despite the delays and the defendant’s claims of insanity, the jury saw the truth,” Lucido said, per a press release. “The verdict reaffirms the strength of the evidence and the seriousness of this crime. I commend our trial team for their dedication to securing justice for the victims and the community.”
Motley will be sentenced by Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Matthew P. Sabaugh on Aug. 7. First-degree premeditated murder carries a mandatory penalty of life in prison.