On April 27, 2026, Brady Allan West was convicted on all counts filed against him by the Barry County Prosecutor’s Office.  West’s trial took place before Judge Michael L. Schipper in the Barry County Trial Court, Circuit Division.  The trial began on April 20, 2026 and lasted six days. 

 

West was charged in May, 2024 for the murder of Jimmy L. Sykes age 79, of Battle Creek Michigan.  On the morning of May 29, 2024, Jimmy Sykes was lured from his home on Wabash Rd. in Battle Creek, Michigan by Brady West and his alleged codefendant, Brandon Mousseau.  The co-defendants had told Mr. Sykes they were taking him out to breakfast before they moved out of his home. Instead, Mr. Sykes was driven to a location on Cloverdale Road in Barry County where he was beaten with a hatchet then run over 2-3 times by his own Ford F-150 pick-up truck. 

 

Testimony and evidence presented at trial showed that West and Mousseau had been stealing from Jimmy Sykes while living with him at his Wabash Rd. home.  Mr. Sykes had told them they needed to move out by the end of the month.  During the murder, they stole Mr. Sykes’s pick-up truck and wallet. 

 

West’s convictions and penalties are listed below:

Count I.  First Degree Premeditated and Felony Murder:   A felony carrying a penalty of Life in prison without Parole (MCL 750.316)

Count II.  Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Premeditated Murder:  A Felony carrying a penalty of Life in prison without parole (750.157a) (750.316)

Count III.  Armed Robbery: A Felony carrying a maximum penalty of Life or any term of years (MCL 750.529)

West is also a Third Habitual Offender, a sentence enhancement filed with the Felony Information. 

 

Barry County Prosecutor Julie Nakfoor Pratt, who tried the case along with Assistant Prosecutor Joshua Carter and Detective Janette Maki, is very pleased with the verdict, along with members of Jimmy Sykes’ family.

 

Prosecutor Nakfoor Pratt: states: “Justice was served for Jimmy Sykes and his family.  We would like to thank the members of the jury for their care and attention to this case.  Codefendant Brandon Mousseau, who is innocent until proven guilty, will be tried later this year.” 

 

Sentencing for West is set for June 11, 2026 before Barry County Trial Court Judge Michael L. Schipper.

 

West’s bond, previously set at $1,000,000, was revoked.