Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido announced that on Thursday, August 7, 32-year-old Jerry Motley was sentenced in Macomb County Circuit Court after a jury on June 20, 2025 found him guilty of First-Degree Premeditated Murder, Assault with Intent to Murder, Going Armed with a Dangerous Weapon with Unlawful Intent, and two (2) counts of Felony Firearm. The jury rejected his claim that he was legally insane at the time of the crime when he killed his boss and attempted to kill another man at Reliable Fence in Clinton Township, MI in 2018.
On August 7, Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Mathew Sabaugh sentenced Motley as follows:
• First-Degree Premeditated Murder - mandatory life without parole.
• Felony Firearm - two years.
• Assault With Intent to Murder - 15 years to 30 years.
• Felony Firearm - two years.
• Going Armed with a Dangerous Weapon with Unlawful Intent - five to 40 months.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys Richard Nelson and Natalie Sullivan represented the People.
On January 9, 2018, Motley brought a gun to his job at Reliable Fence. He shot his co-worker, Angelo Micale twice. Micale survived the shooting. Motley then went into an office where he shot Reliable Fence owner Thomas Badke at close range, killing him. Motley attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended and provided a confession a few hours later.
This was Motley’s second trial. His first conviction was overturned after his trial counsel was found to be ineffective.
"Yesterday’s life sentence delivers long-overdue justice. This outcome ensures the defendant is held fully accountable, and we hope it brings some measure of peace to the victim’s family after years of strength and perseverance," said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.
On August 7, Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Mathew Sabaugh sentenced Motley as follows:
• First-Degree Premeditated Murder - mandatory life without parole.
• Felony Firearm - two years.
• Assault With Intent to Murder - 15 years to 30 years.
• Felony Firearm - two years.
• Going Armed with a Dangerous Weapon with Unlawful Intent - five to 40 months.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys Richard Nelson and Natalie Sullivan represented the People.
On January 9, 2018, Motley brought a gun to his job at Reliable Fence. He shot his co-worker, Angelo Micale twice. Micale survived the shooting. Motley then went into an office where he shot Reliable Fence owner Thomas Badke at close range, killing him. Motley attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended and provided a confession a few hours later.
This was Motley’s second trial. His first conviction was overturned after his trial counsel was found to be ineffective.
"Yesterday’s life sentence delivers long-overdue justice. This outcome ensures the defendant is held fully accountable, and we hope it brings some measure of peace to the victim’s family after years of strength and perseverance," said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.
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