By Bruce Rolfe
Adam Gerard Lyons, of 120 N. Main Street, Climax, who faced four charges including a second degree murder charge for an incident in the Village of Climax October 26, 2024, entered a no contest plea on three of the charges and a fourth charge was dismissed at a plea hearing April 6 in 9th Circuit Courtroom 5400 before Judge Paul Bridenstine.
Lyons, who was at the hearing, learned he faces at least 25 years in prison.
According to the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office, a female and dog were found deceased in the 100 block of N. Main Street in the Village of Climax Oct. 26, 2024.
According to court documents, Adam Gerard Lyons, of 120 N. Main Street, Climax, was charged with open murder for the alleged killing of Nichole Doerschler, two weapons and felony firearm charges and one charge of killing/torturing an animal in the third degree at an arraignment hearing Oct. 29, 2024.
Lyons entered a no contest plea on Count 1, the second degree murder charge; a no contest plea on Count 2, a weapons felony firearm charge; a no contest plea on Count 3, killing or torturing an animal in the 3rd degree; and Count 4, a weapons felony firearm charge, was dismissed.
Bridenstine told Lyons that Count 1, murder in the second degree, is a felony with the possibility of up to life in prison plus fees and fines.
The 9th Circuit Court judge told Lyons that Count 2, a felony firearms charge tied to the murder charge, is also a felony with a mandatory two years in prison.
Bridenstine explained to Lyons that Count 3, killing or torturing an animal in the 3rd degree is also a felony, with a maximum penalty of up to four years in prison and/or a $5000 fine, plus costs and fees.
Kalamazoo County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Williams said as part of the sentence agreement Lyons will serve 23 years on Count 1 and two years on Count 2.
He adds Count 4, a Felony Firearm charge, was attached to Count 3, killing/torturing animals in the 3rd Degree.
The sentences will be served consecutively for a total of 25 years. Williams adds any sentence on Count 3 will be concurrent as the sentences on Counts 1 and 2.
Williams said under Michigan’s indeterminate sentencing laws, Lyons will not be eligible to go before the parole board until he has served 25 years.
Bridenstine will impose Lyons’ maximum sentence at a sentencing hearing May 5 at 9 a.m. Williams said because the pleas were to 2nd degree murder, the sentence can be any number up to and including life in prison.
Williams said law requires the reason for a no contest plea be placed on the record.
The assistant prosecuting attorney said a no contest plea by Lyons as opposed to a guilty plea was entered because he was intoxicated and did not have a sufficient memory of the incident.
Family, friends, and supporters of Doerschler said they are grateful the case will be coming to a close soon and issued the following statement.
“No amount of years in prison is going to be enough time. It has been an incredibly difficult 18 months. Two children have lost their mother. A father and mother have lost their daughter. The path to this point has been long and drawn out only to receive an amount of years that doesn’t fit the crime. The criminal justice system is not in good shape. We are extremely grateful there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”
A jury trial was scheduled to begin April 14, however because the terms of the plea were accepted, Lyons gave up his rights to a trial.
Bridenstine adds because the terms of the plea were accepted by the court, Lyons does not have an automatic right to appeal, however he could ask for permission for the Court of Appeals to decide whether or not to hear his case.
Adam Gerard Lyons, of 120 N. Main Street, Climax, who faced four charges including a second degree murder charge for an incident in the Village of Climax October 26, 2024, entered a no contest plea on three of the charges and a fourth charge was dismissed at a plea hearing April 6 in 9th Circuit Courtroom 5400 before Judge Paul Bridenstine.
Lyons, who was at the hearing, learned he faces at least 25 years in prison.
According to the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office, a female and dog were found deceased in the 100 block of N. Main Street in the Village of Climax Oct. 26, 2024.
According to court documents, Adam Gerard Lyons, of 120 N. Main Street, Climax, was charged with open murder for the alleged killing of Nichole Doerschler, two weapons and felony firearm charges and one charge of killing/torturing an animal in the third degree at an arraignment hearing Oct. 29, 2024.
Lyons entered a no contest plea on Count 1, the second degree murder charge; a no contest plea on Count 2, a weapons felony firearm charge; a no contest plea on Count 3, killing or torturing an animal in the 3rd degree; and Count 4, a weapons felony firearm charge, was dismissed.
Bridenstine told Lyons that Count 1, murder in the second degree, is a felony with the possibility of up to life in prison plus fees and fines.
The 9th Circuit Court judge told Lyons that Count 2, a felony firearms charge tied to the murder charge, is also a felony with a mandatory two years in prison.
Bridenstine explained to Lyons that Count 3, killing or torturing an animal in the 3rd degree is also a felony, with a maximum penalty of up to four years in prison and/or a $5000 fine, plus costs and fees.
Kalamazoo County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Williams said as part of the sentence agreement Lyons will serve 23 years on Count 1 and two years on Count 2.
He adds Count 4, a Felony Firearm charge, was attached to Count 3, killing/torturing animals in the 3rd Degree.
The sentences will be served consecutively for a total of 25 years. Williams adds any sentence on Count 3 will be concurrent as the sentences on Counts 1 and 2.
Williams said under Michigan’s indeterminate sentencing laws, Lyons will not be eligible to go before the parole board until he has served 25 years.
Bridenstine will impose Lyons’ maximum sentence at a sentencing hearing May 5 at 9 a.m. Williams said because the pleas were to 2nd degree murder, the sentence can be any number up to and including life in prison.
Williams said law requires the reason for a no contest plea be placed on the record.
The assistant prosecuting attorney said a no contest plea by Lyons as opposed to a guilty plea was entered because he was intoxicated and did not have a sufficient memory of the incident.
Family, friends, and supporters of Doerschler said they are grateful the case will be coming to a close soon and issued the following statement.
“No amount of years in prison is going to be enough time. It has been an incredibly difficult 18 months. Two children have lost their mother. A father and mother have lost their daughter. The path to this point has been long and drawn out only to receive an amount of years that doesn’t fit the crime. The criminal justice system is not in good shape. We are extremely grateful there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”
A jury trial was scheduled to begin April 14, however because the terms of the plea were accepted, Lyons gave up his rights to a trial.
Bridenstine adds because the terms of the plea were accepted by the court, Lyons does not have an automatic right to appeal, however he could ask for permission for the Court of Appeals to decide whether or not to hear his case.
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