KALAMAZOO COUNTY, Mich. — Gregory Boer was found dead in his home two weeks ago on Valentines Day. Wednesday, his wife Janel was arrested. Thursday, she was officially charged with open murder.
“There are two sides to every story,” said Boer’s attorney Randall Levine during an interview after her arraignment. “This is a marriage that was fraught with difficulty. It was a volatile relationship. Janel Boer is presumed to be innocent.”
Detectives with the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office stated during the probable hearing Wednesday that Janel dialed 911 after finding her husband shot dead in the garage of the Scotts home.
“It was later we learned through Janel Boer’s statement, she called 911 after a confrontation with her estranged husband Gregory,” said Det. Sgt. Warren Misner during the hearing. “She states Gregory shot her and killed himself.”
She told deputies that before turning the gun on himself, he shot her in the arm. Immediately deputies launched an investigation and quickly learned that her statement and the evidence didn’t matchup.
“Forensic tests and evidence at the scene determined Janel Boer shot and killed her husband in the basement,” said Det. Sgt. Misner. "Then tried to cover up this crime by staging the scene along with her own gunshot wound after she had already shot and killed Gregory Boer.”
The 43-year-old mother was immediately arrested and the following day she was charged with open murder and felony firearm during her video arraignment.
“She’s a fine woman and good employee of the post office,” said Levine. “She’s looking forward to the evidence that will be presented in the courtroom so that ultimately she will be vindicated.”
During the arraignment, Levine requested a low bond for Boer. He said that she's has no criminal record and she be allowed to see her 4-year-old child. Judge Anne E. Blatchford denied his request.
“I will say this,” said Levine. “I know the detectives working on this case. I’ve worked with them for several years. They are good, honorable, hardworking detectives. But people make mistakes.”
