In the late afternoon of Sunday, June 1, 2014, the life of Marvin Randall Sutton, a 35-year-old White / Caucasian male, was tragically cut short in Burlington, Iowa. Known to friends and family as "Whitey," Sutton was found deceased in the backyard of a residence located in the 1600 block of Green Street just before 3 p.m. An autopsy would later confirm that he had sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the chest.
The events leading to Sutton's death began with a confrontation.
An altercation between Sutton and another man, identified as 42-year-old Lenard Polhans of Fort Madison, escalated to a fatal conclusion. Following the shooting, Polhans reportedly fled the scene on a motorcycle. His freedom, however, was short-lived.
Law enforcement officials launched an immediate investigation into the homicide. Their efforts quickly led them to Polhans, who was located and apprehended in Fort Madison the day after the shooting. He was subsequently returned to Burlington to face legal proceedings.
Following his arrest, Lenard Polhans was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of Marvin Sutton. He was held without bond in the Des Moines County Jail as the legal process against him commenced. The community was left to mourn the loss of Sutton, a father who worked in construction and was remembered for his love of fishing, MMA, and spending time with his children.
