Jon Otis Burnett, 63, charged with a double homicide in June, made a brief court appearance in 56th District Court today (Wednesday).
Barry County Prosecutor Julie-Nakfoor Pratt asked Judge Michael Skipper for time to schedule a forensic diagnosis to determine if Burnett is competent to stand trial.
Pending the outcome of the examination, he is tentatively scheduled to go to trail the first week in September.
Nakfoor-Pratt also asked that the no-contact order between Burnett and his wife Lynn be amended to allow contact between the two if he wasn’t aggressive or coercive.
Lynn Burnett asked for the change so she could contact him about household matters that come up.
Schipper said since it would be to her benefit, he would allow contact by letter, phone or jail visit, but warned Jon Burnett if he showed any assaultive or intimidating behavior the contacts would stop immediately as well as all other jail privileges, except contact with his attorney.
Burnett was arrested in connection with a double homicide in Orangeville Township on June 21. He is accused of shooting his neighbor, Gary L. Peake, 73, and Bryce Nathan DeGood, 21, of Haslett, and assaulting his wife by strangulation earlier in the day.
Burnett, facing two open murder charges, assault by strangulation, felonious assault and felony firearm charges, is being held on $10 million bond. Open murder is a felony punishable by life in prison.
Nakfoor Pratt represents the State of Michigan; Attorney Steven Storrs is representing Burnett.
