Paonia, CO – A 69-year-old man, Mark Burns, has been sentenced to at least two life sentences for the murder and robbery of two small-town landlords, Michael Arnold and Donna Gallegos, in Paonia, Colorado.
Burns was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder, aggravated robbery, burglary, menacing, and tampering with physical evidence. The jury deliberated for eight hours before rendering their verdict on June 12, 2025.
The Crime and Investigation
The tragic case began on February 4, 2022, when Delta County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of two bodies at 15835 Black Bridge Road in Paonia. Upon arriving, they found the bodies of Michael Arnold (69) and Donna Gallegos (65) with multiple gunshot wounds. The residence, a combination of a home and shop, became the scene of a horrific crime.
Burns, who had been living in Idaho at the time, was arrested less than two weeks after the murders. He was brought back to Delta County and held in jail while awaiting trial. The prosecution argued that Burns had a personal vendetta against Arnold due to being evicted from Arnold’s property, where he had lived for several years.
Motive for the Crime
Burns had rented a home from Arnold starting in 2018, but their relationship reportedly became contentious by September 2021. Court documents revealed that Burns had a romantic history with a woman who had also been involved with Arnold, which may have fueled tensions.
Burns even funded a lawsuit against Arnold filed by the woman, claiming they were in a common law marriage.
After Burns was evicted, he allegedly threatened Arnold, saying, “He didn’t know who he was messing with,” according to court records. The prosecution suggested that revenge and greed were likely the motivations behind the double murder.
They pointed to home surveillance footage that showed a masked person shooting the victims, though Burns denied being the person in the video.
Evidence and Conviction
The evidence presented during the trial was damning. Surveillance footage from Arnold’s property showed a person with duct tape around their wrists and sleeves, potentially disguising their identity, and possibly wearing a wig to alter their appearance. Despite Burns’ denial, the video was pivotal in securing his conviction.
Following the murders, Burns reportedly had significantly more money to spend, raising suspicions about his motive. The jury ultimately found Burns guilty, and he was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences, ensuring he will spend the rest of his life in prison.
Reaction and Closure
Delta County Sheriff Mark Taylor and Undersheriff Quinn Archibeque expressed relief following the verdict, calling it a “just verdict” and hoping it would bring closure to the families of the victims. “We hope this verdict will help bring closure to the friends and family of Mr. Arnold and Ms. Gallegos,” Sheriff Taylor stated.
Burns’ sentencing marks the end of a harrowing chapter for Paonia, a small town now grappling with the effects of a brutal crime that shocked the community.
