Man pleads guilty in Benzie teacher's death

By Lindsay VanHulle
lvanhulle@record-eagle.com

Tue, May 13 2008

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BEULAH -- John Lee Burchett was headed to work the morning he crashed his car.

He'd been drinking the night before, but left early the next day. His blood-alcohol level still elevated, Burchett's sport utility vehicle drifted across the center line on Cinder Road in Benzie County and struck an oncoming car driven by a high school English teacher.

Burchett, 27, spoke softly as he detailed the Sept. 24 crash before 19th Circuit Judge James Batzer on Tuesday, part of a deal that would spare two families -- his and that of Katherine Wolterink, a teacher at Benzie Central High School -- from enduring a trial.

The Thompsonville man pleaded guilty to one count of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, causing death.

In exchange, prosecutors dropped two other charges, including third-offense drunken driving and driving on a suspended license, causing death.

"He's told me a number of times: If he could change places, he would," defense attorney Craig Elhart said afterward. "Nobody wanted to go to trial on this. It wouldn't benefit anyone."

Prosecutors said they would not seek an enhanced sentence under Michigan's habitual offender laws as part of the deal.

At the time of the crash, Burchett's blood-alcohol content was .17, more than twice the legal limit. He continues to recover from his injuries, and entered the courtroom in a wheelchair.

Burchett faces up to 15 years in prison. No sentencing date has been set.

In honor of Wolterink, the Benzie Central boys' and girls' basketball teams this season wore black bands on their uniforms with her initials, Principal Pete Olson said. And student council members are planning to break ground on a memorial garden at the school "as soon as the snow's gone."

"She comes up all the time, things that she had done and was planning on doing," Olson said. "I'm glad the young man is taking responsibility for his actions. I understand that he's got to make a lifestyle change, and I hope he does."

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