Impact statements describe pain family and friends
have suffered since Nichole Doerschler was murdered
have suffered since Nichole Doerschler was murdered
By Bruce Rolfe
Adam Gerard Lyons, who entered no contest pleas at an April 6 hearing on a second degree murder charge, a weapons felony firearm charge, and a killing or torturing an animal charge in the 3rd degree that occurred in the Village of Climax in 2024, was sentenced to a minimum of 25 years to a maximum of 50 years in the Michigan Department Of Corrections by 9th Circuit Court Judge Paul Bridenstine May 5 in Courtroom 5400.
The judge sentenced Lyons to a minimum sentence of 23 years to a maximum sentence of 50 years in the Michigan Department Of Corrections with no credit for days served on count 1, the second degree murder charge. Judge Bridenstine sentenced Lyons to two years on count 2, felony firearms charge with 556 days credit already served; and a minimum of 24 months up to a maximum of 48 months on count 3, torturing and killing an animal in the third degree charge that will run concurrent with the felony firearms charge with credit of 556 days already served.
A weapons felony firearm charge, was dismissed at the April 6 hearing.
The first opportunity Lyons will have to request parole to the Parole Board will be after serving 25 years in the Michigan Department Of Corrections.
Judge Bridenstine told Lyons he had the right to appeal and would have to ask a court appointed attorney to assist him with an appeal in writing 42 days from the date of sentencing.
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, 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.
Impact statements that were read from family members and relatives before Bridenstine sentenced Lyons focused on how many lives Nichole impacted, how kind she was, and how Nichole, who was 40 years old at the time of her death, would be missed in their lives. Impact statements also noted Nichole will miss out on life’s milestones, celebrations, holidays, family gatherings and an opportunity to make family memories.
An impact statement from Nichole’s mother Colleen was read by Kalamazoo County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Michale Stolte.
Other impact statements were read by Nichole’s father Tim, her brother Matt Doerschler, her nephew Michael, and Nichole’s daughter Allison.
Nichole’s father, Tim Doerschler, told Lyons the night he killed his daughter “changed my life forever.”
Nichole’s father went on to note his daughter was very proud of her children, Gavin and Allison. She was looking forward to Gavin’s graduation and watching him play baseball in college after he received a scholarship. He continued by noting Nichole was deprived of the opportunity to watch her daughter graduate from high school, go on to college and do great things in life.
“She’s never going to see either one of them get married and start a family of their own and have children. She would have been a great grandmother. She’s never getting the chance to have that,” said Nichole’s father.
“I know in my heart, Nichole has already forgiven you. Because that’s the kind of person she was. God help me because I haven’t got there yet,” adds Nichole’s father.
When Nichole’s father was done reading his statement, Lyons said he was sorry.
Matt Doerschler read a statement from his aunt followed by his brief impact statement.
“I didn’t really need to know you. I don’t really know you. I just know that you have taken a lot of things away from a lot of people for a dumb decision you made,” said Matt Doerschler.
Impact statements were read by Michael Doerschler, Nichole’s nephew, who said he was speaking on behalf of his aunt, cousin and himself, and Nichole’s daughter, Allison Eyre. When Allison finished reading her impact statement Lyons said, “I’m sorry.”
Valerie Foster, a court appointed attorney for Lyons from the Kalamazoo Defenders Office, told Judge Bridenstine Lyons truly loved Nichole, only had two prior misdemeanors in 2023 and had no prior history of hurting anyone or a dog. She said Lyons had an issue with alcohol and was intoxicated the night he killed Nichole and the dog. She felt the combination of alcohol and a pill he took to help him sleep, had an opposite affect. She referred to medical journals noting sometimes combining alcohol with another substance, can cause a psychotic affect, which she believed is what happened the night Nichole and the dog was killed. She said her client compounded substances and allowed it to take over his body.
Foster adds Lyons loved Nichole and her two children and his actions the night Nichole was killed “was not him.”
Foster said when Lyons calmed down and the substances wore off, “he was contrite, he knew what he had done at this point, he was saddened by what he had done and he has been nothing but an individual displaying contrition ever since.”
Lyons was offered an opportunity to make a statement before Judge Bridenstine sentenced him.
“I know nothing I say today can undo what has happened and nothing can bring back the life that was lost. I think about this often, and I recognize that my actions are I wasn’t all here. At the time, I was not in the place where I was thinking clearly or acting the way I should have. That’s not an excuse. This is something I’ve had to confront and take responsibility. I know an apology can never erase what happened, but I sincerely apologize for what happened that night. You guys don’t deserve it. I’m so sorry,” said Lyons.
Judge Bridenstine told Lyons when he sentences him he balances principles including punishment, rehabilitation, protection of society as well as deterrent. He adds he considers positives and negatives Lyons brought to the court.
Judge Bridenstine said he also took into consideration what the prosecuting attorney said, and victim impact statements made by Nichole’s family.
“There are no words here that can really explain or express the type of loss and devastation in their face. Those words in and of themselves, loss, devastation, sadness, horror, are significant words. But I don’t even believe they scratch the surface of explaining what these people have been going through for the past year and a half, and will continue to go through. Certainly nothing I say is going to do anything to bring Ms. Doerschler back, and maybe nothing I say will give them any further relief,” said Judge Bridenstine.
“Everybody in this room knows what’s happening here in terms of the sentence you’re going to get. And the fact that you’re going to be in prison for a considerable period of time. brings them very little relief. Because they just want their daughter, their mother, their friend, their cousin, back. Their statements here are forceful in the sense that they really paint a picture of the loss that not only their family, but this community is facing because of the actions that you took.
“Clearly, all life is valuable and worthy. No question about that, which makes it particularly difficult from this perspective, from sitting up here, when the person who is gone is from all reports, an exceedingly wonderful person. Certainly, my hope is, and again, my words may or may not have any impact. It is my hope that for her family, the extended family, larger family, I mean, we’re probably talking about just a few of the many people that could muster the time and energy to be in court. But that the 40 wonderful years that she lived will provide at least enough relief to help them get through the most difficult days. And if they can’t, and if they continue to have anger towards you, it should be on you, Mr. Lyons, because you’re the whole reason why we’re here today,” adds the 9th Circuit Court Judge.
Judge Bridenstine ordered a restitution hearing be scheduled for June 5 at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 5400.
Kalamazoo County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Williams explained in Michigan, restitution is defined by the Crimes Victim Rights Act.
He said the general process is that the prosecutor’s office ask crime victims or their surviving family to provide evidence of out-of-pocket costs which were incurred due to the commission of the crime. Often the parties will agree on an appropriate number. If they cannot, they make their arguments to the court, and the judge decides what the defendant must pay. He said common restitution expenses include damaged property, medical and funeral expenses, lost wages, and mental health counseling.
Williams adds once ordered, restitution is made part of the defendant’s sentence and must be paid.
Judge Bridenstine said he was not imposing court costs or the defense attorney’s reimbursement due to the extended period of time Lyons will be in the Michigan Department Of Corrections and an inability to earn money.
Adam Gerard Lyons, who entered no contest pleas at an April 6 hearing on a second degree murder charge, a weapons felony firearm charge, and a killing or torturing an animal charge in the 3rd degree that occurred in the Village of Climax in 2024, was sentenced to a minimum of 25 years to a maximum of 50 years in the Michigan Department Of Corrections by 9th Circuit Court Judge Paul Bridenstine May 5 in Courtroom 5400.
The judge sentenced Lyons to a minimum sentence of 23 years to a maximum sentence of 50 years in the Michigan Department Of Corrections with no credit for days served on count 1, the second degree murder charge. Judge Bridenstine sentenced Lyons to two years on count 2, felony firearms charge with 556 days credit already served; and a minimum of 24 months up to a maximum of 48 months on count 3, torturing and killing an animal in the third degree charge that will run concurrent with the felony firearms charge with credit of 556 days already served.
A weapons felony firearm charge, was dismissed at the April 6 hearing.
The first opportunity Lyons will have to request parole to the Parole Board will be after serving 25 years in the Michigan Department Of Corrections.
Judge Bridenstine told Lyons he had the right to appeal and would have to ask a court appointed attorney to assist him with an appeal in writing 42 days from the date of sentencing.
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, 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.
Impact statements that were read from family members and relatives before Bridenstine sentenced Lyons focused on how many lives Nichole impacted, how kind she was, and how Nichole, who was 40 years old at the time of her death, would be missed in their lives. Impact statements also noted Nichole will miss out on life’s milestones, celebrations, holidays, family gatherings and an opportunity to make family memories.
An impact statement from Nichole’s mother Colleen was read by Kalamazoo County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Michale Stolte.
Other impact statements were read by Nichole’s father Tim, her brother Matt Doerschler, her nephew Michael, and Nichole’s daughter Allison.
Nichole’s father, Tim Doerschler, told Lyons the night he killed his daughter “changed my life forever.”
Nichole’s father went on to note his daughter was very proud of her children, Gavin and Allison. She was looking forward to Gavin’s graduation and watching him play baseball in college after he received a scholarship. He continued by noting Nichole was deprived of the opportunity to watch her daughter graduate from high school, go on to college and do great things in life.
“She’s never going to see either one of them get married and start a family of their own and have children. She would have been a great grandmother. She’s never getting the chance to have that,” said Nichole’s father.
“I know in my heart, Nichole has already forgiven you. Because that’s the kind of person she was. God help me because I haven’t got there yet,” adds Nichole’s father.
When Nichole’s father was done reading his statement, Lyons said he was sorry.
Matt Doerschler read a statement from his aunt followed by his brief impact statement.
“I didn’t really need to know you. I don’t really know you. I just know that you have taken a lot of things away from a lot of people for a dumb decision you made,” said Matt Doerschler.
Impact statements were read by Michael Doerschler, Nichole’s nephew, who said he was speaking on behalf of his aunt, cousin and himself, and Nichole’s daughter, Allison Eyre. When Allison finished reading her impact statement Lyons said, “I’m sorry.”
Valerie Foster, a court appointed attorney for Lyons from the Kalamazoo Defenders Office, told Judge Bridenstine Lyons truly loved Nichole, only had two prior misdemeanors in 2023 and had no prior history of hurting anyone or a dog. She said Lyons had an issue with alcohol and was intoxicated the night he killed Nichole and the dog. She felt the combination of alcohol and a pill he took to help him sleep, had an opposite affect. She referred to medical journals noting sometimes combining alcohol with another substance, can cause a psychotic affect, which she believed is what happened the night Nichole and the dog was killed. She said her client compounded substances and allowed it to take over his body.
Foster adds Lyons loved Nichole and her two children and his actions the night Nichole was killed “was not him.”
Foster said when Lyons calmed down and the substances wore off, “he was contrite, he knew what he had done at this point, he was saddened by what he had done and he has been nothing but an individual displaying contrition ever since.”
Lyons was offered an opportunity to make a statement before Judge Bridenstine sentenced him.
“I know nothing I say today can undo what has happened and nothing can bring back the life that was lost. I think about this often, and I recognize that my actions are I wasn’t all here. At the time, I was not in the place where I was thinking clearly or acting the way I should have. That’s not an excuse. This is something I’ve had to confront and take responsibility. I know an apology can never erase what happened, but I sincerely apologize for what happened that night. You guys don’t deserve it. I’m so sorry,” said Lyons.
Judge Bridenstine told Lyons when he sentences him he balances principles including punishment, rehabilitation, protection of society as well as deterrent. He adds he considers positives and negatives Lyons brought to the court.
Judge Bridenstine said he also took into consideration what the prosecuting attorney said, and victim impact statements made by Nichole’s family.
“There are no words here that can really explain or express the type of loss and devastation in their face. Those words in and of themselves, loss, devastation, sadness, horror, are significant words. But I don’t even believe they scratch the surface of explaining what these people have been going through for the past year and a half, and will continue to go through. Certainly nothing I say is going to do anything to bring Ms. Doerschler back, and maybe nothing I say will give them any further relief,” said Judge Bridenstine.
“Everybody in this room knows what’s happening here in terms of the sentence you’re going to get. And the fact that you’re going to be in prison for a considerable period of time. brings them very little relief. Because they just want their daughter, their mother, their friend, their cousin, back. Their statements here are forceful in the sense that they really paint a picture of the loss that not only their family, but this community is facing because of the actions that you took.
“Clearly, all life is valuable and worthy. No question about that, which makes it particularly difficult from this perspective, from sitting up here, when the person who is gone is from all reports, an exceedingly wonderful person. Certainly, my hope is, and again, my words may or may not have any impact. It is my hope that for her family, the extended family, larger family, I mean, we’re probably talking about just a few of the many people that could muster the time and energy to be in court. But that the 40 wonderful years that she lived will provide at least enough relief to help them get through the most difficult days. And if they can’t, and if they continue to have anger towards you, it should be on you, Mr. Lyons, because you’re the whole reason why we’re here today,” adds the 9th Circuit Court Judge.
Judge Bridenstine ordered a restitution hearing be scheduled for June 5 at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 5400.
Kalamazoo County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Williams explained in Michigan, restitution is defined by the Crimes Victim Rights Act.
He said the general process is that the prosecutor’s office ask crime victims or their surviving family to provide evidence of out-of-pocket costs which were incurred due to the commission of the crime. Often the parties will agree on an appropriate number. If they cannot, they make their arguments to the court, and the judge decides what the defendant must pay. He said common restitution expenses include damaged property, medical and funeral expenses, lost wages, and mental health counseling.
Williams adds once ordered, restitution is made part of the defendant’s sentence and must be paid.
Judge Bridenstine said he was not imposing court costs or the defense attorney’s reimbursement due to the extended period of time Lyons will be in the Michigan Department Of Corrections and an inability to earn money.
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