Man involved in Alpena murder investigation expected to reach plea deal
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ALPENA -- A man involved in an Alpena murder investigation expects to reach a plea agreement with the Michigan Attorney General's Office in a matter of weeks.
Bruce Kinsey, charged with lying to Attorney General's Office investigators, expects to resolve his case without going to trial, his attorney said in Alpena's 26th Circuit Court on Monday.
The Attorney General's Office charged Kinsey, 37, with lying about where he picked up Brad Srebnik and Joshua Wirgau on an unspecified date.
Law enforcement have called Srebnik and Wirgau suspects in the 2021 deaths of Alpena woman Abby Hill and Alpena teen Brynn Bills.
Nobody has been charged in the deaths.
Judge Ed Black asked defense attorney Bill Pfeifer and Assistant Attorney General Gage Wakula, who appeared virtually, to return to court in 45 days to report whether they had agreed on a plea deal for Kinsey or if he will continue toward trial.
Lying during the investigation of a life offense can result in a sentence of life or any term of years in prison.
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Also in court on Monday, Black questioned the intentions of a man who said he lost his way but intends to reform.
Black sentenced Daniel Flowers, 40, to more than two years in prison after Flowers in April pleaded guilty to stealing a vehicle.
The crime joined many others on Flowers' record, he said in court on Monday.
"I'm constantly in jail," Flowers said, promising to spend the future making amends for past criminal activity and asking for a light sentence.
Flowers' prior record more than justified a stiff sentencing recommendation by the Michigan Department of Corrections, said Alpena County Prosecutor Cynthia Muszynski.
Good intentions can't outweigh at least seven prior theft-related convictions, Black said, reminding Flowers of the "1,000 other choices you could have made that day."
Black sentenced Flowers to 29 months to five years in prison, with credit for 276 days served.
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Joseph Alexander, 36, admitted on Monday to delivering methamphetamine in Alpena County.
Police found drug paraphernalia and prescription pills in Alexander's possession in 2021. His charges include a traffic stop during which Alexander's passenger got out of the vehicle, leaving a baggie containing about 10 grams of meth on her seat, Black said.
Corrections officers also found meth mixed with fentanyl between Alexander's toes at the jail, Black said.
Alexander pleaded no contest, instead of guilty, to avoid civil liability, according to his attorney.
As part of the plea agreement, Muszynski will request a sentence of 60 months to 20 years.
Someone convicted of the charge for which Alexander pleaded no contest could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.
Julie Riddle can be reached at 989-358-5693 or jriddle@thealpenanews.com. Follow her on Twitter @jriddleX.