CASSOPOLIS - Three and a half years after the horrific slayings of Niles couple John and Carolyn Tarwacki, relatives of the victims finally have a sense of closure.

They received it Friday, in Cass County Circuit Court, where a jury found Keith Lintz, 29, also of Niles, guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and one of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Lintz will be sentenced by Judge Michael Dodge on Oct. 11 but his fate already is a foregone conclusion. First-degree murder in Michigan is punishable by a mandatory term of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The jury deliberated about two hours and 15 minutes before delivering its verdict about 5 p.m., prompting Lintz to rub his forehead and put his hand to his mouth before hanging his head. Meanwhile, the announcement triggered tears of joy but also sorrow from relatives of the Tarwackis and Lintz.

One of those brushing back tears was South Bend resident John Tarwacki Sr., the father of John Tarwacki who called it "a bittersweet day." The last three and a

half years -- John Tarwacki, 42, was shot and stabbed to death and his 39-year-old wife shot, beaten and stabbed into submission on Feb. 5, 2010 -- have been "terrible" on his family, he said.

"At least we have some questions answered. That's been the hard part," he said.

Sharon McKnight, the mother of Carolyn Tarwacki who lived just two doors down from her daughter on Carberry Road, said the manner of the homicides had forced her "to change my way of living." But she also expressed sympathy for the Lintz family.

"Their family is hurting just like we were," she said.

Doug Baker, a special prosecutor for the state attorney general's office who tried the case for the people, told reporters he was "very gratified" by the jury's finding.

"I think the verdict was the proper one, the only one based on the evidence," he said.

At the trial's outset on Aug. 27, Baker told the jury he intended to prove Lintz was high on drugs early Feb. 5, 2010, when he set out, as Baker put it, to "hit a lick," using a slang term for robbery. It's possible Lintz, who at the time lived in an apartment only a few doors down from the Tarwackis, intended to rob a meth house perhaps operating in the area, Baker said, but entered the Tarwacki house by way of an unlocked back door by mistake.

"There may have been a belief it was a meth house. In any event, robbery was on his mind," Baker said.

Testimony elicited from forensic experts and acquaintances of Lintz who conveyed various incriminating comments Lintz was said to have made before his arrest in October 2012 indicated John Tarwacki initially encountered Lintz in a hallway and was shot in the face, apparently from only a foot or two away based on powder burn evidence. He then was shot once again, in the back, before Carolyn, whose body was found in the living room, was shot twice. The two were then stabbed repeatedly, Carolyn in the chest and upper torso and John in the back.

Footprints in the snow leading both to and from the Tarwackis' back door appeared to have been left by a size 12 shoe, the same size as those worn by Lintz. However, authorities never recovered shoes matching the prints, nor was any of Lintz's blood, DNA or fingerprints found at the crime scene.

The lack of physical evidence, said defense attorney Greg Feldman, forced Baker to rely largely on the testimony of the seven so-called admission witnesses who reported hearing Lintz make such statements as, "They have my footprints but not my DNA," "I put them out of their misery" and "I took their lives. They didn't deserve to die. I can't take it back."

Feldman said he believed such testimony was the key to the trial, despite the fact that the majority of the admission witnesses had police records and, according to Feldman, much to gain in return for their information. Despite flaws in the character of those witnesses, Feldman said it was apparent the jury believed what they said on the stand.

"That's why we have a jury system," Feldman said.

The Tarwackis both worked for a music education/distribution business and were married only two and a half years before they were slain. Relatives at the trial recalled that they selected July 7, 2007 -- 7-7-7 -- as their wedding date because they hoped it was a sign of good fortune.

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Schuette, Fitz Announce Murder Charge In Case Of Slain Niles Couple

Contact: Joy Yearout 517-373-8060

   October 18, 2012         

            LANSING - Attorney General Bill Schuette, Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz and the Michigan State Police today announced that the Attorney General's Criminal Division has charged a Niles man with First Degree Murder for the 2010 killings of John and Carolyn Tarwacki, of Niles, Michigan. The charges follow a two and a half year investigation by the Michigan State Police in cooperation with the Niles Police Department, the Cass County Sheriff's office, the Berrien County Sherriff's office, the Cass County Prosecutor's office and the Michigan Attorney General's office. The investigation was led by Michigan State Police Niles Post Detective Fabian Suarez and Trooper Investigator Jason Bailey.

            Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz advised "The MSP and local law enforcement have been relentless in their efforts to solve these terrible crimes.  Southwest Michigan is grateful to Bill Schuette for his critical assistance and leadership in this matter.  My office looks forward to working with the Attorney General and area law enforcement to bring this prosecution to a fitting conclusion."  

            "This is a tragic case, and we are ready to secure justice and closure for the family and friends of John and Carolyn Tarwacki," said Schuette.  "The Michigan State Police and their law enforcement partners have worked exhaustively for over two years in this investigation.  They have done an excellent job.  In particular, Detective Fabian Suarez and Trooper Jason Bailey need to be recognized.  "It is a privilege to work side-by-side with Vic Fitz to safeguard the citizens of Cass County.  Vic is a first rate prosecutor and understands the public safety equation of more cops plus tough laws equals greater safety for Michigan families and fewer tragedies like this heartbreaking murder case."

            Keith James Lintz, 28, of Niles, has been charged with two counts of First Degree Murder for the killing of John and Carolyn Tarwacki in their Niles, Michigan home on February 5, 2010 and one count of Possessing a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, a two year felony.  The charges of First Degree Murder carry a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.  It is alleged Lintz murdered the couple through a brutal attack which included beatings, multiple stabbings, and gunshot wounds.

            Police at the scene found little evidence that could be used to identify possible suspects in what appeared to be a random act of violence against a recently married, law-abiding couple.  The Michigan State Police launched an investigation and worked with Niles City Police officers, Cass County Sheriff's deputies, Berrien County Sheriff's deputies, and Michigan Attorney General special investigators in an attempt to bring the Tarwackis' killer to justice.  Throughout the course of the investigation, nearly 800 tips were received and over 300 witnesses were interviewed.

            Fitz expressed appreciation regarding "The cooperative efforts of all law enforcement, particularly the Michigan State Police, Niles Post, for their fine work on this investigation."

            Lintz was taken into custody on October 17, 2012 by Michigan State Police troopers and has been arraigned in Cass County's 4th District Court.   

            A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

jmc 22 July, 2017