A Ft. Madison man accused of First-Degree Murder in the June 1st death of a Burlington acquaintance and fellow motorcycle club member, today(Fri) pled guilty to a reduced charge and will spend no more than 15 years in prison.
43-year old Lenard “Ray” Polhans admitted to shooting 35-year old Marvin “Whitey” Sutton in Sutton’s backyard at 16-09 Greene Street, but he told Judge Mary Ann Brown that he only did so after Sutton broke his shoulder with a hammer. Polhans entered guilty pleas to Voluntary Manslaughter…a Class C felony, for which he could receive up to 10 years in prison…..and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon…a Class D felony…which could get him up to five years in prison…although the County Attorney’s office is recommending that the two sentences not be added together, instead running concurrently. That call is up to the judge.
Brown ordered a pre-sentence investigation and set sentencing for January 26th.
