Chapters on two high-profile criminal investigations were closed Thursday as former Leelanau County prosecutor Clarence Gomery (pictured) was sentenced for solicitation of murder and former Traverse City manager Jered Ottenwess reached a plea deal on charges that prompted his resignation.

Gomery Sentenced
After pleading guilty last month to soliciting acquaintance Dale Fisher to kill rival attorney Christopher Cooke, Gomery was sentenced to 6-20 years in prison in 13th Circuit Court Thursday.

In an emotional courtroom appearance, Gomery told Judge Philip Rodgers: "I wish every day I could take back what I did…I have no one to blame but myself. I've lost my business, my profession and my reputation. I brought shame and emotional trauma to my family. It wasn't me...it was irrational. I'm grateful no physical harm came to (the Cookes)." Gomery also told Rodgers he was "going to get the help" he needs, and broke down in tears as he asked for leniency. "I know you have to punish me...(but) don't throw me away. There's still good in me."

Cooke also addressed the court, speaking directly to Gomery when he said that although "I don't think you're a danger anymore," Cooke still didn't feel safe in the community and was having trouble sleeping and eating. He noted his family had been "terrorized" because of the incident, with his daughter having to change schools. "We could have resolved this, but you didn't want to do the right thing," Cooke told Gomery. "There were choices you made...that were wrong."

During his sentencing, Rodgers said Gomery’s “combination of greed and hubris" as well as "ill-conceived and poorly devised" decisions led to his downfall. "You have created tremendous emotional harm to your own family...and to the Cookes," he told Gomery. "There has to be an appropriate response to the crime."

Taking into account the defendant's contrition, as well as his "high risk in the prison system" due to Gomery's professional past as a prosecutor and defense attorney, Rodgers settled on a minimum sentence of 72 months (6 years), with a maximum of 240 months (20 years). Because Gomery was on the cusp of two different sentencing guidelines, his minimum low end could have ranged anywhere from 51-135 months. "If all goes well for you, you could be released when you're 65," Rodgers told the 59-year-old.

Gomery will get credit for 234 days of time already served.

Ottenwess Reaches Plea Deal
In neighboring 86th District Court, Ottenwess reached a plea deal Thursday with prosecutors that led to the former city manager pleading no contest to two misdemeanor charges, including attempting to assault a police officer and domestic violence. In exchange, prosecutors dropped two additional charges – one each – of the same counts.

During the hearing, Judge Thomas Phillips verified Ottenwess understood “no contest is pretty much the same thing as entering a guilty plea,” to which Ottenwess affirmed he did. In light of the fact Ottenwess' family is now living with relatives in Detroit, Phillips agreed to modify bond conditions to allow Ottenwess to access his Fifth Street home. However, he continued to deny the former city manager contact with his family. “There were serious threats…and very dangerous behavior (in the February 16 incident),” Phillips said. The judge said he would consider lifting the ban at Ottenwess’ sentencing – scheduled for Monday, March 16 at 1:30pm – so the family can participate in joint counseling at the substance abuse residential facility where Ottenwess is staying in Grand Rapids.

Following the hearing, Ottenwess’ attorney Matt Vermetten made the following statement to media: “My only hope for my client is that he and his family get the therapy they need, and that he goes forward with his life, as I certainly expect he will. He has three lovely children – one, four and six years old – and a very supportive wife. So I think things will turn out fine.”

The search for a new city manager is now underway. Meanwhile, Grand Traverse County Prosecuting Attorney Bob Cooney instructed the Sheriff’s Office Thursday to investigate if the Traverse City Police Department mishandled or committed “any wrongdoing” in its initial review of Ottenwess' case.