Madison Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Involvement in Friend's Murder

A 36-year-old man, Justin J. Burage, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for setting up an armed robbery that resulted in the murder of his friend, 24-year-old Eric A. Ranson. The incident occurred on November 17, 2021, on Madison's East Side, where Burage had persuaded Ranson to sell him marijuana for $40. Burage pleaded guilty to attempted armed robbery as a party to the crime and harboring or aiding a felon. The sentencing hearing highlighted Burage's role in luring Ranson into an armed robbery and his involvement in a history of crimes, including drug possession and driving a stolen car.

Key Takeaways:

• Burage was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his involvement in Ranson's murder, which occurred during an attempted armed robbery on November 17, 2021.
• Burage pleaded guilty to attempted armed robbery as a party to the crime and harboring or aiding a felon, and a charge of being a party to the crime of first-degree intentional homicide was dismissed as part of his plea deal.
• Ranson's murder was the result of a setup by Burage, who lured him into an armed robbery with the promise of selling marijuana for $40.
• Authorities have not been able to identify a third person involved in the attempted robbery and likely fired shots at Ranson.
• Burage had a history of crimes, including drug possession and driving a stolen car, in both Wisconsin and Illinois.
• Chabris E. Link, Burage's co-defendant, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in Ranson's murder.

Statistics:

• 10 years: Burage's sentence for his involvement in Ranson's murder.
• 24: Ranson's age at the time of death.
• 36: Burage's age.
• 20: Chabris E. Link's sentence for his role in Ranson's murder.
• $40: The amount of marijuana Ranson agreed to sell to Burage.

Sources:

• Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, Wis.). Visit www.wisconsinstatejournal.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.