Loved ones of four people in Michigan murdered by a Detroit man last year said they continue to struggle with why Jonathan Welch did what he did during an emotional sentencing Wednesday in Wayne County Circuit Court.
Trina Harris — whose 22-year-old daughter Zlayiah Frazier, Welch’s live-in girlfriend, was killed — was one of several relatives who addressed the court before Wayne Circuit Judge Margaret Van Houten sentenced Welch to 45-70 years in prison.
“You took what was so precious to me,” said Harris, noticeably emotional. “She meant everything to me. My daughter will never get to hold her son and watch him grow up. I believe (Jonathan) is truly a monster.”
Van Houten said nothing that would happen Wednesday would bring back the victims, “but I hope all of you can start to heal and start to find closure.”
Welch was sentenced for the killings of Flossie Bray, his mother; Robert Bray Jr., his stepfather; and Frazier. The judge also sentenced him to serve 20-40 years for the killing of 24-year-old Natalya Morse. Both sentences are to be served concurrently.
Several relatives of Welch’s victims addressed the court before the judge delivered the sentence.
“I don’t understand why this had to happen,” Larontay Welton, a grandson of Robert Bray, told the court as he stood in the jury box. “It’s too late to ask why.”
Larontay Welton, grandson of Robert Bray Jr., speaks during his impact statement at the sentencing of Jonathan Welch, who murdered Natayla Morse, Zlayiah Frazier, Flossie Bray and Robert Bray Jr. at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in Detroit, Michigan on November 1, 2023.
He said Welch’s actions hurt him and his family so much because they treated him like he was family.
“You took something from us that we can’t get back,” Welton said.
Others spoke in court via Zoom.
A tearful Chastity Morse, Natalya Morse’s mother, blasted Welch.
“I’m in pain every day,” she said, choking back sobs. “I hope you rot in jail! I’d like to see you burn! You’re a piece of s—! I (expletive) hate you! I hope you get what’s coming to you!”
Welch pleaded guilty in March to Morse’s death, according to court records. Authorities said he killed her in June 2022 and left her body in a field in the 4630 block of Lenox Street near Canfield and Dickerson on Detroit’s east side. She died from blunt force trauma.
Police also said he stole Morse’s car and took it to an area near Lappin and Beland streets, where he set it on fire.
In July, Welch pleaded guilty to charges connected to the deaths of his mother, stepfather and Frazier, records said. Frazier was also the mother of Welch’s young son.
He killed them in July 2022, days after being released from jail on bond after being charged with sexually assaulting, strangling and setting Frazier on fire.
Prosecutors said Welch had been ordered to live with his mother in Harper Woods. He barricaded himself in the house in July 2022 and held police at bay for several hours.
After the standoff ended, police found the bodies of the Brays and Frazier in the home. Officials said before the standoff ended, they had found his 1-year-old son in the backyard and took him to a hospital to be evaluated.
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