of Juneau County
The Messenger ROBERT KOUBA WINS AKADEMIA MUSIC AWARD VOL 15, NO. 31
LOOK INSIDE FOR YOUR LOCAL NEWS:
Elroy: Page 4 Mauston: Page 3 New Lisbon: Page 5
Necedah: Page 6 Wonewoc: Page 7 Hillsboro: Page 10
Classifieds: Page 11 Legals: Page 12 & 13
THE AWARD WINNING OFFICIAL LEGAL NEWSPAPER OF JUNEAU COUNTY THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2014
Murder trial to move forward for Treul BY EVA MARIE WOYWOD A plea hearing has been scheduled for this Thursday in the State's murder case against 29 year old Cody J. Treul. Last week Juneau County Circuit Court Judge John Roemer ruled that Treul is competent to move forward without legal representation. That ruling came after a third party competency evaluation was conducted and after a January request from the defendant to the court that he be allowed to act as his own defense. The charges against Treul stem from a May 31, 2013 shooting behind PJ's Bar in Mauston which took the life of 29 year old Gail Howland and critically wounded then 23 year old Ebony Lasher, paralyzing her from the chest down. According to the criminal complaint supporting the charges, on May 31 at approximately 12:10 a.m. Detective Shaun Goyette of the Juneau County Sheriff's Department was alerted to respond to a report of shooting victims located behind PJ's Bar and Grill on State Street in Mauston. When the detective arrived on the scene he observed the female victims laying on the ground and both had suffered numerous gun shots. The complaint goes on to state that a witness, Douglas Schroeder, told the detective that he had been present at the time of the shooting. He stated that when he heard a loud bang he turned to observe "Cody" shooting Gail Howland. According to Schroeder the gun was then aimed at him before Treul allegedly shot Lasher multiple times. Since the day of the shooting Treul has been in custody of the Juneau County Sheriff's Department on a $2 million cash bond.
Sheriff needs info Vernon County Sheriff John B. Spears is seeking the public’s assistance in locating three individuals in connection with March 5th’s search warrant in the City of LaCrosse and an ongoing investigation where more arrests are likely. Arrest warrants have been issued for delivery of cocaine and delivery of heroin for the following individuals who are related: Derrick Knox, male/black age 32; Ernest D. Knox, male/black age 29; Eric Knox, male/black age 22. They are pictured in order from top to bottom. If anyone sees these
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Community mourns loss of middle school student
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BY EVA MARIE WOYWOD
n Saturday, March 8th, a tragic outdoor recreational vehicle accident took the life of a 13 year old Mauston boy, Zach Schiller. Zach was a student at Olson Middle School. According to Juneau County Sheriff Brent Oleson, the accident occurred in Lemonweir Township and is currently being investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. According to information from friends, the young boy died as a result of injuries sustained from the accident. Zach attended Olson Middle School and since the accident there has been an outpouring of support and condolences for his family. On Sunday the Mauston School District released the following announcement: It is with a very heavy heart that we are sad to announce an unfortunate accident has occurred to someone in the Mauston School District family. On This undated photo of Zach at Olson Middle School Saturday, March 8th, Zachary Schiller, student at was just one of many shared on the facebook page, OMS, son of MHS teacher Kari Schiller and brother Schiller Strong. Friends have also placed memorito Junior Jacob Schiller, was in an accident. As a als, photo memories, and notes on Zach’s locker at result from injuries sustained in the accident, OMS. Zachary passed away last evening. The family is aware we are offering the following services. funeral will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church, 701 Some of our students and staff may feel that you need Grove Street, Mauston on Saturday at 10 a.m. followed to talk with someone about the feelings you may be expe- by a luncheon. riencing. Olson Middle School will be open from 2-4 A special Facebook page has been created for Zach Sunday, March 9th with counselors, Mr. Gonzalez and called “Schiller Strong”. By Tuesday morning, more Mr. Dillin available. On Monday, if you would like to than 1,200 people had liked the page, many of whom speak with someone please let the Counseling Office have shared special memories and pictures on it. know and we will make arrangements for you. An announcement on the page states that a memorial Please contact the MHS or OMS front office if you fund has been set up for the Schiller Family. Deposits have questions. can be made at any Bank of Mauston branch. They can A visitation will be held at the Mauston High School also be mailed to - Bank of Mauston, c/o Schiller Auditorium this Friday evening from 4-8 p.m. The Family, P.O. Box 226, Mauston, WI 53948.
Jury trial against Orr begins BY EVA MARIE WOYWOD
individuals, they are urged to contact their local law enforcement agency or the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office at 608637-2123. Do not approach or attempt to contact them yourself. The warrants are the result of a joint investigation between the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office, LaCrosse Police Department, LaCrosse County Sheriff’s Office, West Central Metropolitan Enforcement Group and the Wisconsin Department of Justice – Division of Criminal Investigation.
On Tuesday, March 11, 2014 a two day jury trial began in the state's case against 53 year old Elizabeth Orr of Mauston who has been charged with 1st Degree Reckless Homicide for selling prescription drugs which resulted in the 2011 death of Jeremy Haas. After Juneau County Circuit Court Judge Paul Curran provided instructions to the jury, both the prosecution and defense gave an opening statement. Juneau County District Attorney Michael Solovey told the jury that evidence from sworn witnesses would convince them of Orr's guilty actions leading to Haas's death. Solovey stated the testimony heard would be given by Dr. Michael Stier, a forensic pathologist and Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison. Further testimony would come from a billing manager at Phillips Pharmacy who would provide testimony that Orr had a prescription for fentanyl filled just days before Haas died. Additional testimony would come from Jessica Sanders, who Solovey explained has had a history with drug dependency and was a longtime friend of the deceased. Sanders, according to Solovey's opening statement, would also speak to the day Haas is said to have overdosed and how prior to him dying they had been looking to attain the drug. Solovey went on to state that after learning of Haas's death, Sanders voluntarily went to the Mauston Police Department and spoke to officer Richard Lueneburg and provided information on the events which occurred the day Haas died. “You will hear from her that she is currently serving time for her level of involvement," stated Solovey. Solovey went on to explain that another witness, Darin Skiff, would speak about buying the fentanyl from Orr on the day Haas died and, like Sanders, would speak to his own history of drug dependency and how he too is currently serving time for his role in the crime.
Jurors would also hear from Officer Lueneburg who was first on the scene and ultimately led the investigation resulting in the charges against Orr, Sanders, and Skiff. Representing Orr was defense attorney Preston Smead who echoed Solovey's words when he spoke of Haas's death and the resulting tragedy for his family and loved ones. However, Smead provided a different picture and one in which he emphasized that the jury would not hear testimony from anyone who witnessed Haas take the fentanyl which is said to have caused his death. First of the witnesses to take the stand was Dr. Stier who performed the autopsy on Haas. Stier gave the jurors a detailed testimony on his experience and how an autopsy is performed which untimely helps provide a cause of death. Included in that process, as in Haas's case, was a toxicology testing, results, and report. The results of the toxicology testing showed that Haas had, in his blood system, at least eight times the amount of fentanyl needed for therapeutic reasons. "His levels were far, far above what would be normal. Actually, it is among the highest levels I ever seen," he said. The reports showed that in addition to fentanyl, Haas had other drugs in his system including a sedative, antidepressants, methadone, and THC. However, those mostly showed up in his urine and were not lethal doses. During the cross examination, Smead questioned Stier on who conducts the toxicology testing which was used as a basis for the cause of death. Stier answered that an accredited facility, AIT Laboratories, in Indianapolis, Indiana conducted the testing on the samples Stier prepared. Smead then questioned if Stier would be aware of any errors or contamination of the samples at the AIT facility to which he answered he would not have that knowledge. At the time The Messenger went to press, the trial was still ongoing. When a verdict comes in, we will post that to our Facebook page and have a follow-up article in next week's issue of the paper.