Allen Joseph Brunette was found guilty of second degree child abuse by reckless act and was sentenced to four to six years

April 17, 2012
By Jenny Lancour - Staff Writer , Daily Press

ESCANABA - The trial for a Gladstone man, accused of beating a 4-year-old boy under his care last fall, began Monday with jury selection that lasted most of the day.

Six women and seven men make up the jury that will hear testimony in the five-day trial of Allen Joseph Brunette, 23, in Delta County Circuit Court. The defendant is charged with first-degree child abuse and domestic violence, third offense.

Brunette was arrested last fall in connection with an incident on Oct. 14, when he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend's son, whom he was supervising while the child's mother was at work.

When the mother brought the boy to OSF St. Francis Hospital emergency room, hospital personnel notified police and child protective services personnel of the patient's injuries.

The boy was transferred by ambulance to Marquette General Hospital where he was admitted for the weekend. The youngster was diagnosed with multiple injuries including a liver laceration and swelling and bruising on his body and head.

Brunette's trial began Monday with jury selection which took most of the day to complete. Prosecuting Attorney Steve Parks presented his opening statement, asking the jury to submit guilty verdicts. Brunette's attorney Trent Stupak gave his opening statement to the jury this morning.

Today's court proceeding will include testimony from witnesses and the presentation of other evidence in the case. Earlier this year, the court ruled that previous acts of domestic violence by Brunette during 2003-2009 will be allowed to be presented as evidence during his jury trial.

Delta County Sheriff Department has been in charge of the criminal investigation.

Brunette remains lodged in Delta County Jail in lieu of a $50,000 cash bond.

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Jenny Lancour, (906) 786-2021, ext. 143, [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

April 18, 2012
By Jenny Lancour (jlancour@dailypress.net) , Daily Press

ESCANABA - Medical and police personnel testified Tuesday in the trial of a Gladstone man accused of beating an Escanaba youngster who was under his care last fall.

Allen Joseph Brunette, 23, is charged with two felonies - first-degree child abuse and domestic violence, third offense - for the alleged assault of a four-year-old boy on Oct. 14. Today is the third day of the jury trial in Delta County Circuit Court. The trial is expected to last through the week.

Police were alerted to the suspect child abuse when the boy's mother brought him to be treated at the OSF St. Francis Hospital emergency room. After viewing the youngster's injuries, hospital personnel called police and child protective services.

The patient was transferred by ambulance to Marquette General Hospital where he was admitted for the weekend. The boy was diagnosed with multiple injuries including a liver laceration and swelling and bruising on his body and head.

Two registered nurses from St. Francis Hospital testified on the stand Tuesday, relaying for the jury what they observed during their initial assessments of the child's medical condition.

Joseph Jameson, a surgeon from Marquette General Hospital, also answered questions from the prosecution and defense regarding the boy's injuries.

Exhibits which have been entered as evidence in the trial include district court preliminary testimony and photographs taken of the boy by the sheriff's deputy who investigated the case.

Delta County Sheriff Deputy Brian Lauscher was on the stand for more than two hours Tuesday, answering questions related to the photographs and interviews with Brunette, the victim, the child's mother, and other witnesses.

Today's proceeding will include additional witness testimony. Brunette remains lodged in Delta County Jail in lieu of a $50,000 cash bond.

The maximum sentence on the first-degree child abuse felony is 15 years in prison. Maximum sentence on third-degree domestic violence, which is also a felony, is two years in prison and a $2,500 fine.

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Jenny Lancour, (906) 786-2021, ext. 143, [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

A 23-year-old Gladstone man is heading to prison. Allen Joseph Brunette was found guilty of second degree child abuse by reckless act and was sentenced to four to six years in prison with credit for 236 days already served.

His five day trial took place in Delta County Circuit Court last month. Brunette was accused of beating the four-year-old son of his ex-girlfriend. The boy's mother read a tearful statement as Brunette looked on without emotion.

"We are so lucky to still have Caleb here because this could have easily turned out much worse. This violent act by Allen Brunette could have easily resulted in more serious injuries or even death," read the mother.

The prosecutor described Brunette as violent, manipulative, and dangerous. The judge offered Brunette a chance to give a statement before the sentencing was read. He declined.

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