Messenger 032014

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of Juneau County

The Messenger THINKING SPRING IN JUNEAU COUNTY VOL 15, NO. 32

LOOK INSIDE FOR YOUR LOCAL NEWS:

Elroy: Page 4 Mauston: Page 3 County: 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 20, 2014

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Horses stolen from Veterans program BY DIANNA ANDERSON

Jury finds Orr guilty BY EVA MARIE WOYWOD It took a jury just two and a half hours before returning a guilty verdict in the state's case of first degree reckless homicide against 53 year old Elizabeth Orr of Mauston. The crime in which Orr was found guilty, resulted in the 2011 death of 29 year old Jeremy Haas who overdosed on the prescription drug fentanyl. During the two day trial, jurors heard from witnesses who laid out the scene in which Orr was painted as the person who started the domino effect resulting in Haas's death. The drugs said to be floating in overabundance through Haas's system came from a prescription Orr had filled and then sold on the street to a middle man before reaching Haas. That middle man was Darin Skiff who also has been charged and convicted in his role in the crime. Another party to the crime was Jessica C. Sanders of Mauston who has also been charged and convicted for her part. Both Sanders and Skiff were witnesses for the prosecution at Orr's trial. Additional testimony came from 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; a billing manager at Phillips Pharmacy; and Mauston police officer Richard Lueneburg. A sentencing hearing has been set for May 22, 2014. Orr is currently in the custody of the Juneau County Sheriff's Department until sentencing.

The Veterans Equine Trail Services suffered a blow last Thursday evening when two horses, belonging to a military service member and to a police officer, were taken right off of the property. Jimmy is a three year old gelding, palomino, not broke to ride, with a left rear white sock and pink spot or snip on the end of his nose. Jimmy belongs to a Chicago police officer. Jimmy is here to be a part of the V.E.T.S. program in assisting veterans and at risk youth in rehabilitations. Vicki is a philly yearling, chestnut or soral in color, with a long gated strip down the center of her face and a white snip or spot at the end of her nose. Vicki belongs to a veteran and is also here to be a part of the good things happening at September Farms in LaValle. It is believed that on Thursday evening, March 13th, the two were taken from the property. The 70 acre area has been walked, driven, and re-walked to find any evidence of a broken fence, open gates or the chance that the animals had jumped the fence and there is no evidence of any of these things. The property backs up to the 400 Trail and it has been searched for any signs of the two horses. Horses will always leave a trail wherever they go and there is no sign of them what so ever. Neither horse had on a halter and no halters were taken, no saddles, nothing but the two young horses. The Sauk County Sheriff’s Department does believe someone deliberately took the two and put them in a trailer to remove them. All sale barns have been contacted, all slaughter facilitities, and every horse outlet across America will be on the look out for these two young horses. Barb Knopf, founder of the V.E.T.S. program stated, “At this point we just want the horses back, someone knows something and all we need is one call. We are offering a reward for the safe return of Vicki and Jimmy.” Knopf hopes someone will call and let them know where the horses may have been dropped off so they can go pick them up. “The horses are very important to the veterans and the at risk youth they help, and this has caused a great deal of stress for all of us,” she stated. It is very unlikely that the person or persons responable can sell the horses off or hide them for very long as eyes are looking all over the state for the two animals. “Just one person has to say something and we will find them. Please call and let us get on with what we do. We are not looking to press charges if you just let us know where they are,” she said. If you have any information on the two horses, call the

Treul pleads no contest to murder BY EVA MARIE WOYWOD No contest to first degree homicide and attempted first degree homicide were the pleas issued last week in Juneau County Circuit Court by 29 year old Cody J. Treul. The charges stemmed from a May 2013 shooting in Mauston behind P.J.'s Bar and Grill which took the life of 29 year old Gail Howland and critically wounded then 23 year old Ebony Lasher. Members of Howland's family were in court and an audible gasp could be heard when Treul announced his plea. Neither Lasher nor members of her family were present for the hearing. Treul's pleas were against advice of his counsel according to defense attorney Mark Gumz. In addition to Gumz, public defender Stanley Woodard was also in court for the plea hearing. Treul remains in custody of the Juneau County Sheriff's Department. A pre-sentencing investigation has been ordered and a June status hearing has been scheduled. A sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled. Treul faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Jimmy

Vicki Sauk County Sheriff’s office at 608-356-4895 or call Barb Knopf at 608-985-8886 and leave a message.


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