CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – It was back in January 2018 when two employees got into a fight at Reliable Fence in Clinton Township.
A third man, 61-year-old Tom Badke, was shot and killed when trying to stop the shooting. Jerry Motley Jr. was accused of pulling the trigger, killing Badke and injuring Angelo Micale.
Motley’s family and friends said he was being bullied at the business on Groesbeck Highway near 15 Mile Road. He’s accused of pulling out a gun during a fight with Micale, who started running away but was shot in his back twice.
Motley, 25, was charged with first-degree murder, two counts of felony firearm, assault with intent to murder, and a dangerous weapon charge. He was found guilty on all counts by a unanimous jury this year. On Wednesday, he learned he will spend the rest of his life in prison.
Badke, who was the owner of the business, jumped onto Motley and tried to stop him from shooting. However, Badke was shot in his head. His family said they feel betrayed.
“The crimes that Jerry Motley committed were disgusting and entirely unforgivable. Jerry had come to our home and laughed and drank with us after he bought the gun he planned to use to kill my family and friends,” said Chelsea Badke, the victim’s daughter-in-law. “You rotting in a cell for the rest of your life will never bring dad back, but it’s the most we will get.”
Motley’s family and friends maintain he was bullied at work and that he tried to resolve it with management. They say he just snapped that day in January.