UPDATE: Trenary man sentenced to minimum 22 years in prison for torture, criminal sexual conduct

MARQUETTE COUNTY, Mich. (WLUC) - UPDATE: The Trenary man found guilty by a jury in July of six felony charges related to torture, criminal sexual conduct, and domestic violence will serve at least 22 years in prison.

Branden Daniel Klyk, 34, was sentenced Thursday morning in Marquette County Circuit Court by Judge Charles W. Johnson of Emmet County.

On July 14, after a four-day jury trial, Klyk was found guilty of 6 out of 7 charges against him:

• torture, a felony punishable by up to life in prison
• first degree criminal sexual conduct, a felony punishable by up to life in prison
• unlawful Imprisonment, a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison
• two counts of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder by strangulation, felonies punishable by up to 10 years in prison
• and domestic violence – third offense, a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison.

Thursday, Klyk was sentenced to 22-40 years in prison for torture, 22-40 years in prison for first degree criminal sexual conduct, 10-15 years in prison for unlawful imprisonment, 6-10 years in prison on each count of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder by strangulation, and 3-5 years in prison for domestic violence – third offense.

According to Marquette County Prosecutor Matt Wiese, Klyk’s sentences will run concurrently with each other, and he will not be eligible for parole until he has served the minimum sentence of 22 years.

Klyk is also required to register as a sex offender on Michigan’s public registry and will be subject to electronic monitoring for the rest of his life.

Wiese and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Hailey Kimball-Dexter prosecuted the case on behalf of the People of the State of Michigan. This case was investigated by the Forsyth Township Police Department, including Officer Cassie Smith, Detective Justin Wonch, and Chief Brian Kjellin.

Last published: Jul 16, 2023 1:55:14 PM

A jury found the Trenary man charged with torture and assault related to a July 2022 domestic violence case guilty of six out of seven charges against him.

The 4-day jury trial for Branden Klyk, 34, in Marquette County Circuit Court concluded Friday. The jury found Klyk guilty of: torture (felony), first degree criminal sexual conduct (felony), unlawful imprisonment (felony), two counts of assault by strangulation (felonies), and domestic violence (misdemeanor).

He was found “not guilty” of one felony charge, larceny in a building.

The verdict comes after two days of witness testimonies for the prosecution. Assistant Prosecutor Jenna Nelson said Wednesday, the jury heard from the victim, a nurse practitioner, an emergency care physician, two Marinette County Sheriff’s deputies, and the victim’s mother.

Thursday, Nelson said the prosecution called forward its remaining four witnesses: Forsyth Township Police Chief Brian Kjellin, a detective and an officer from Forsyth Township Police Department, and Dr. Kelly Berishaj, a qualified strangulation expert. The jury also heard from the defense’s three witnesses. Both sides rested their cases Thursday.

Nelson said the jury deliberated for approximately three hours before delivering its verdict Friday afternoon.

His sentencing date is unknown at this time.

Last published: Jul 12, 2023 6:03:04 PM

The alleged victim of a man charged with torture and assault from a July 2022 domestic case shared her story in Marquette County Circuit Court Wednesday.

Her testimony was one of five presented for the prosecution’s case in the second day of a jury trial for 34-year-old Branden Klyk.

Klyk is accused of torture, assault and battery (third offense), two counts of assault with intent to do great bodily harm, unlawful imprisonment, first degree criminal sexual conduct, malicious destruction of property, and larceny in a building. He was arrested in June of last year after the Forsyth Township Police Department responded to a report of domestic violence on the 100 block of Fury Street in K.I. Sawyer.

Assistant Prosecutor Jenna Nelson said after the victim concluded her testimony, the jury also heard from a nurse practitioner, an emergency care physician, two Marinette County Sheriff’s deputies, and the victim’s mother.

The day before, jury selection concluded, the prosecution and defense both provided opening statements, and the first witness for the prosecution had provided testimony.

Nelson said the prosecution will continue presenting its case Thursday with 4 additional witnesses.

Klyk’s jury trial is scheduled to continue through the week. Judge Charles W. Johnson is presiding over the trial.

Last published: Jul 1, 2022 2:46:21 PM

A 33-year-old man was arraigned for eight felony charges Thursday after a report of domestic violence at K.I. Sawyer on Monday, June 27.

Branden Klyk was arraigned in the 96th District Court Marquette and is at the Marquette County Jail on a $280,000 bond.

Forsyth Township Police Department responded to a report of domestic violence on the 100 block of Fury Street on K.I. Sawyer. When they arrived, Klyk had already fled. The Marquette County Prosecutor’s Office authorized an eight-count felony warrant with the following charges:

• Assault & Battery / Domestic Assault (Third Offense)
• Assault W/Intent to do bodily harm less than murder (2 counts)
• Unlawful Imprisonment
• Torture
• CSC 1st Degree
• Malicious Destruction of Property
• Larceny in a Building

Klyk was found in Alger County with the help of the State of Michigan Probation/Parole Division. On Wednesday, June 29 he turned himself into the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office.

The Forsyth Township Police Department was assisted by the Michigan State Police - Negaunee, and the Michigan Department of Correction/Probation/Parole Division (Marquette & Alger County).

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