COVERITLIVE.COM

1:05

Barton Deiters - Troy Brake, 32, was found guilty in May for the shooting deaths of Sharmaine Zimmer, 53, her sons, Jeremy, 20, and Tyler, 18, and the beating death of Jeremy's girlfriend, Katherine Brown. Authorities said Brake killed the family in order to rape Brown.

Brake was convicted of four counts of first-degree murder, which carries a mandatory life sentence.

Brake was connected to the quadruple homicide after an arrest in Grand Rapids for assaulting a prostitute. Authorities matched a gun found during a search of Brake's home to the weapon used in the murders.

1:06	Barton Deiters - Families have gathered in the courtroom for the sentencing of brake who will be sentenced by Judge Ed Post to life in prison without parole.

1:07	Barton Deiters - It is expected that family members of the Zimmers and Brown will speak prior to the sentencing which should take place within minutes

1:11	[Comment From Diane] I assume all the family members are there....is his girlfriend there? I can't believe she would still be standing behind him

1:11	Barton Deiters - Diane, I haven't seen her yet, but people are still filtering in.

1:11	[Comment From thnguest] Bart, I was in class when the verdict came back for the trail. Did not get a chance to say thanks for the great job you did covering the trail.

1:11	Barton Deiters - Thanks, thn.

1:12	[Comment From laura] I wonder how many family members of the victims will be present in the court room?

1:12	Barton Deiters - Laura, there areat least 20 people on the prosecution side of the court room and about a dozen on the defense side.

1:13	Barton Deiters - Several familiy members are slated to speak, including Brown's 11-year-old brother.

1:13	[Comment From thnguest] What are the parameters for this process?

1:14	Barton Deiters - thn, usually, the families members speak, then the convicted person and his lawyer is allowed to make a statement, then the judge hands down the sentence.

1:14	[Comment From DLM] Enjoyed your trial blog. A very good freind of mine was the jury forman for the Brake trial. He explained to me what went on in the jury room and why it took so long to reach a verdict. Intersting to learn the inner workings of a jury.

1:15	Barton Deiters - DLM, My understanding there was a hang-up on the part of one juror whether he was guilty of first degree in all cases. Is that what you were told?

1:17	Barton Deiters - There is other court business that is scheduled today for Judge Post. It is not clear yet whether the Brake sentencing will take place first.

1:18	[Comment From thnguest] Is there a limit as to how many family members can speak? Are they limited in what they can say?

1:18	Barton Deiters - There's no legally mandated limit, often judges will set a limit.

1:19	[Comment From Laura] Has Brake entered the courtroom yet?

1:19	Barton Deiters - Laura, no. His lawyer is also not here yet nor is the prosecutor

1:20

[Comment From DLM]
First they reviewed every piece of evidence which took many hours. Then they voted. One person was not sure between 1st or 2nd and the jury was stuck. So they asked for a more detailed discription between 1st and 2nd degree. The person then agreed right away with 1st degree and the jury had thier verdict.

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