Zacharie Scott Borton was found guilty in two out of three counts of murder by a jury yesterday. Jackson County Prosecutor Jerry Jarzynka spoke with WKHM moments after the verdict was announced and had this to say:
“The Jackson County Jury returned a guilty verdict against defendant Zacharie Borton, on four counts. One count of first degree murder [in the] death of Delmar Fraley, one count of second degree murder [in the] death of Michael Pauli, one count of felony firearm and one count of stealing a financial transaction device.”
“The jury was deadlocked on one count of murder,” Jarzynka continued “and one count of carjacking.”
The maximum sentence for murder is life in the Department of Corrections without the possibility of parole.
The case relates to shooting event that occurred in Grass Lake Township on August 22nd, 2021 that resulted in the death of three men, Delmar Fraley, Michael Pauli and Edward Kantzler.
Jarzynka went on to thank the jury for doing “their civic duty. “This trial lasted over two weeks, it was a huge sacrifice of their daily lives. They were very diligent in this trial, applying the facts, applying the law and we are very pleased with the verdict.”
The prosecution and law enforcement were also praised by Jarzynka, stating that Assistant Prosecutor Steve Idema, Assistant Prosecutor Meaghan McKeon and Detective Sgt. Bryan Huttenlocker of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department for their preparation and presentation of the case to the jury.
Borton will be sentenced on May 4th, 2022 at 9am before Circuit Court Judge John McBain.