Bobby Jay Fisk

Bobby Jay Fisk, 27, of Howard City, will spend the rest of his life in prison for the murders of Robert and Norma Bean, 66, also of Howard City.

Fisk was convicted of the murders last month, and sentenced last Thursday, February 25. His accomplice, Timothy Stephan, 28, also of Howard City, pled guilty to the murders last April, and also received life in prison.

According to police, Stephan and Fisk, both parolees, entered the Bean residence in the early morning hours of October 6, 2008 and stole their ATM card, a gun, and some Vicodin tablets while the couple slept. When they couldn’t get money out with the ATM card, they returned to the Bean home and kidnapped them at gunpoint and forced into their own vehicle. The suspects then drove the Beans to various locations in Montcalm County in an attempt to obtain money. The suspects eventually drove the Beans to the 14000 block of Beardslee and murdered them.

The men reportedly knew the couple. Stephan lived across the street from them, and the Beans had given Fisk rides to church when he was younger, for youth activities.

According to authorities, Fisk shot Norma Bean in the face, and Stephan shot Robert Bean as he crawled to his wife’s body. Stephan surprised the court when he made his plea last year, by saying he shot both of them. Fisk has maintained he is innocent of the murders. But the jury did not agree.

Fisk received four life sentences: one for kidnapping, one for armed robbery, one for felony murder, and one for premeditated murder, without possibility for parole. He also received 30 to 45 years on three counts of first-degree home invasion, 6 to 10 years for possession of firearms by a felon, two years for felony firearms.

Fisk’s defense attorney, Damian Nunzio, is reportedly appealing his case.