BRENHAM MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR MURDER
A Brenham man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole after pleading guilty to Capital Murder.
(Washington Co. mugshot)
44-year old Anthony Wayne Burns was sentenced Tuesday afternoon after entering the plea for the murder of his former girlfriend, Rachelle Nowak.
Nowak was at the home of an elderly Washington County woman, February third, when Burns broke through the front door and shot and killed Nowak.
Authorities say Burns was mad because Nowak would not answer his phone calls.
Burns was charged with Capital Murder, Burglary of a Habitation and Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
District Attorney Julie Renken had not declared yet whether or not her office would seek the death penalty.
Renken characterized the case as an example of where domestic violence leads. She also noted that Wednesday begins Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Renken commented that her office will continue to take cases of domestic violence seriously to “prevent tragedies like this one.”
Unfortunately, a young, hardworking mother is not longer alive due to the actions of a murderer while he is allowed to live out the rest of his days even if it is behind bars. In this case it was very clear that no deal should have been made to spare his life.
Rachelle did not deserve what she got, but for sure Julie you have did her justice, great job. Their are more women than we can imagine that goes through domestic violence relationships, we see it almost every day in the news. RIP sweet Rachelle.
Now we have to pay $40k a year to house this guy for the rest of his life.. Way to go. Not a win for society in my opinion.
Rachelle we will always miss you.. You can rest it’s not what we wanted but I know it won’t get out.. Love you always miss you dearly
Thank you Julie for putting people like this away. Rachelle can now rest in peace. The sad thing is her young children will grow up without a mom or dad.