Devon Baldwin is 2nd person sentenced in 2020 Bunker Hill murder

by Mary Jo David

As reported by the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office, on Sept. 7, 2022, Devon Baldwin, a 33-year-old Stockbridge man, was sentenced to 50-66 years in the Michigan Department of Corrections. This sentencing followed a 5 1/2-week trial that ended with a guilty verdict on June 17, 2022, for the March 2020 shooting death of Bradley Wicks, of Lansing, at a home in Bunker Hill Township.

The sentencing hearing was held via video conference in front of Judge James S. Jamo. The hearing was a continuation of an earlier sentencing hearing from Aug. 10, 2022. The postponement occurred so the prosecuting attorney, Andrew Stevens, and defense attorney, Keith Watson, could work through issues pertaining to resolution of jail time credit and restitution. Differences in presentence investigation report versions also needed to be resolved.

Following corrections to various court reports, those in attendance heard from the accused. Baldwin expressed to Wicks’ family “how deeply I mourn their loss, how sorry I am to see them dragged through this ordeal for the last two years.” But he went on to claim he did not murder Bradley Wicks and that, after already finding Garylee Dexter guilty, “the prosecutor wanted a chance to pin the same murder on someone else.”

The judge also provided time for victims’ impact statements.

Devon Strunk, Wicks’ sister, spoke first, reminding the court that Wicks had eight siblings and that his oldest son graduated this year, without his father being there to see him. Strunk said Wicks’ mom “puts on a brave face” and that holidays aren’t the same any more. She added, “Nothing fills the void of Brad being taken from us…our lives will not be the same because of choices you made.” She asked the court for the maximum sentence for Baldwin.

Wicks’ daughter Jaylynn spoke next, admitting she is “stunned and speechless” since her father was killed. “…Fourteen, now 16 going on 17 without my father. This is the time in my life I need him the most.” What hurts the most, she said, is seeing her siblings and her grandmother hurting.

Another of Wicks’ sisters, Elizabeth Wicks, commented on Baldwin’s claim of innocence. “All of you played a part in this…you guys could have stopped…you could have made a simple call to 911.” But because of choices Baldwin made, Elizabeth said, “My mom will never see her son; she’ll grieve in her heart every day.” She added, “You all chose to play this role with Garylee Dexter. You’ll walk again, you’ll talk again…he never will.”

Following the victim impact statements, Judge Jamo reminded Baldwin that he cannot accept Baldwin’s statement regarding his lack of culpability, “because I am bound by what the jury did…They are the sole deciders of the facts of this case.”

The judge said it is his role to set a “proportionate and appropriate sentence” for each conviction based on the jury’s previous determination. With that, Jamo sentenced Baldwin to the following: On Count 1 (homicide second degree): 600 to 800 months with credit for time served. On Count 3 (felon in possession of firearm): 30 months to 60 months with credit for time served. On Count 4 (felony firearm): 24 months with credit for time served. On Count 5 (felony firearm): 24 months with credit for time served. Jamo also ordered restitution be paid to Kelly Wicks for funeral expenses.

Garylee Dexter, who also was involved in the March 2020 shooting in Bunker Hill, was sentenced in February 2022 to 15-50 years in prison.

For the initial news story about the Bunker Hill homicide, see the March 2020 story in the Stockbridge Community News.