SCHOOLCRAFT COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY 300 Walnut Street, Room 209 Manistique, Michigan 49854 Telephone: (906) 241-3691 FAX: (906) 341-8220 Timothy R. Noble Prosecuting Attorney STATEMENT RE: Defendant Ken Brunke On Friday October 16, 2025, Ken Brunke pled guilty to obstruction of justice and lying to the police, two felony charges arising from the April 2015 triple homicide in Schooleraft County ‘and was sentenced to 40 to 60 months on Thursday, February 18. Until the resolution of this case by his sentencing today, ethical considerations have prohibited me from explaining the reasons behind my charging and plea decisions. Those same ethical considerations require that prosecutors charge and proceed in cases in which they have probable cause to believe crimes have been committed, and these crimes ultimately are tried in front of a jury requiring proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Mr. Brunke had been initially charged with committing murder in the April 2015 homicide of Heather Aldrich, Carrie Nelson and Jody Hutchinson, due to the eye witness statements of Marietta Carlson and Garry Cordell. During the pendency of his case, however, Ms. Carlson died and Mr. Cordell recanted his earlier statement, severely damaging his credibility as a witness. Absent these two witnesses, the prosecution could only prove independently that Mr. Brunke sent the victim a message asking her to visit, that he left the State of Michigan shortly after the murders, Purchased new tires for his car, and that he had trace amounts of gasoline within his car. We did not have admissible evidence that showed Mr. Brunke was present at the murders, or that he conspired to commit the murders. The loss of these two witnesses irreparably damaged our ability to meet the proof needed to convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt of Brunke’s complicity in the murder. | was left with two choices. The first, dismiss all charges against Mr. Brunke and Continue to investigate. The second was to allow him to plea to the charges of obstruction of Justice and lying to the police, and in the process have him testify against Garry Cordell. After Careful consideration, and significant discussion with the police and the family of the victims, Mr. Brunke was allowed to plea. A plea of this nature allowed for two important things. First, if Mr. Brunke has lied (committing perjury}, he is in violation of the plea agreement. If he violated the terms of the ‘agreement, then the People can withdraw the plea pursuant to Michigan Court Rule 6.310(E), Furthermore, if Mr. Brunke committed perjury, he would be subject to prosecution for that crime, which carries a penalty of up to life in prison.Much has been made about my experience, or lack of. The Detroit Free Press was quick to point out that | had not sought assistance from the Attorney General's office. The fact is, | have been told by the Attorney General's office that local crime is the local prosecutor’s Problem, and they do not get involved unless the State of Michigan is the victim, if it involves some sort of State interest, or if itis a public corruption case. On May 8, 2015, knowing what was happening regarding this case and other cases | handle, | wrote a letter requesting the Schoolcraft County Board approve funds for me to hire a temporary assistant for 1 year effective June 1, 2015. That request was not granted. I did in fact seek out the advice of many seasoned prosecutors from all over the State of Michigan. | have spoken to employees of the Attorney General's office and the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan regarding this case. | have spoken with the US Attorney's office in Marquette about this case. Furthermore, a man who isa former Assistant US Attorney, and retired US Magistrate Judge essentially served as an assistant to me on this case, although he was not physically in my office. He had an exact copy of every document that came to me. He and | spoke on a regular, often daily basis regarding this case and what steps to take. For someone to suggest that I did not use other, more seasoned, prosecutors simply is not true. |!am bound by the rules of law, my oath of office, and my ethical duties as an attorney. My position as prosecutor is one | take seriously. 1 will not ignore the law or my ethical Obligations to seek a conviction in a case no longer supported by admissible evidence. | Prosecute cases based upon admissible facts and relevant, admissible evidence. | cannot, and will not, prosecute cases based upon rumors and innuendo. f anyone has information about this case, please contact Detective Hauswirth of the Michigan State Police Gladstone Post. Sincerely Ale — Tim Noble Schoolcraft County Prosecuting Attorney