Boyer Sentenced to Life in Prison Without Parole

People v. Ryan Beatty

Case No. 21-006815-FC

On October 22, 2021, Ryan Beatty was charged with Accessory after the Fact to a Felony and

Firearms – Possession by a Felon for his alleged conduct immediately after his aunt Judy Boyer

killed his mother, Patricia Boyer; his grandfather, Henry Boyer; his friend, Wade Bacon; and, his

cousin, Zachary Salminen on October 20, 2021.

The investigation spanned several months with new information received and reviewed during that time frame, including laboratory reports rom the analysis of the physical evidence. After a review of all the evidence and research into the applicable law, Prosecutor Michelle Ambrozaitis determined that it is appropriate to dismiss the criminal charges filed against Ryan Beatty.

On the day of the murders, Beatty, Salminen, and Bacon were at Henry Boyer’s home to fix the

roof. When Beatty had arrived at the residence, he did not know that Judy Boyer had already shot and killed his mother and grandfather, hiding their bodies in a shed. At some point after the men had arrived to fix the roof, Judy Boyer encouraged them to all go into the home to peak with Henry Boyer about payment for their work. Beatty was the first person to enter the home and he quickly realized that things were not right. He was unable to locate his grandfather or his mother in the home, which was unusual to him. While he was in the back of the home looking for them, he heard the gunshots. He came out into the living room to find Salminen and Bacon shot and his aunt Judy holding a firearm. Beatty moved in closer to her to prevent her from shooting him. He then encouraged her to hide the firearm and helped her to find an acceptable hiding spot. After that, he helped her put minutes on her cell phone and encouraged her to leave the area. Judy’s son, Henry Green, interacted with the two of them intermittently during this process and was present with Beatty when Judy drove away.

As soon as Judy drove away, Beatty told Green that Judy had just shot two people in the house. At this time, Beatty was still unaware that Judy had shot and killed his grandfather and his mother. The police were called to the scene and Beatty was interviewed by police about what had occurred.

He learned from police much later that evening that his grandfather and mother had also been killed.

Beatty was forthcoming with law enforcement about where he and Judy hid the firearm and where he thought she would be headed after driving away. His information led to the recovery of the murder weapon and ultimately the arrest of Judy.

Judy wrote in a notebook after the murders that her son, Henry, was next on her list and Beatty had saved him. She also noted that another individual was also on her list.

In order to prove that someone is guilty of being an Accessory after the Fact, the prosecution must prove that the person must have given help to someone that he knew had committed a felony and that the help was intended to help that person avoid discovery, arrest, trial, or punishment.

The assistance given by an Accessory after the Fact must tend to frustrate the course of justice. The “purpose of making accessory after the fact a crime is to assist society in apprehending those who have committed crimes and to assist in preserving evidence of crimes so that perpetrators of crimes can be brought to society’s justice.” [People v. Perry, 218 Mich. App. 520 (1995)].

After reviewing all of the evidence and the law that governs the charges alleged against Beatty, it is the opinion of Prosecutor Ambrozaitis that he did not intend to frustrate the course of justice by his actions. It is clear that Beatty was acting in a manner to save his own life, which he did, and ultimately it appears he saved the life of Henry Green as well. To proceed with the charges against him under these facts and circumstances would be an injustice.