of Juneau County
The Messenger 32ND ANNUAL CESKY DEN CELEBRATION VOL 15, NO. 45
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THE AWARD WINNING OFFICIAL LEGAL NEWSPAPER OF JUNEAU COUNTY THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 2014
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Two die on train tracks in Mauston BY EVA MARIE WOYWOD The loud jolting sound of a train coming to a sudden stop could be heard throughout Mauston early Sunday morning. It was a sound that caused the town's south and north sides to be separated from one another for over five and a half hours. The call to Juneau County Sheriff’s dispatch came in just after midnight. Making the call was Canadian Pacific Railroad notifying law enforcement that the freight train going through Mauston had just struck two individuals. According to sources the impact happened by the intersection of Liberty and Blass behind Marchowsky Park. It would take days before the community learned who had been hit. However, in a matter of just over seven hours from the accident the Mauston Police Department issued a press release stating that two individuals had been struck and killed. It was Monday morning when the first victim was identified as Jessica McQuiston, 19, of rural Mauston. Later that afternoon the second victim was identified as Thomas G. Kratz Jr, 19, of rural Wisconsin
Dells. The release went on to state that an investigation was on-going and that the incident is being investigated as a double suicide. Many in the community shared their heartfelt prayers towards the victims' families and friends. They expressed compassion towards all who responded to the scene, and the railway staff who had no choice but to witness the tragedy as it happened. The question of why echoed throughout the community as people discussed the news. It is a question that may or may not be answered through the Mauston Police Department's investigation. One motivation being considered may be the fact that Kratz had just been released on a signature bond from the Juneau County Jail on four felony charges of Take and Drive a Vehicle without Consent and one misdemeanor charge of Carrying a Concealed Weapon. They were crimes that made news as they were happening within the City of Mauston and as police were investigating who was taking vehicles which had keys left in them. Press releases had been issued notifying the public to keep keys out of ignitions and lock their car doors.
They were also crimes, according to the criminal complaint, that McQuiston had knowledge of and she was at times present when they occurred. When police arrested Kratz a statement was issued to the public from the department and was one which alluded to pending charges for another party. Was the fear of prosecution enough for two young lives to believe they couldn't live to see or is there more to the story? Perhaps the crime was committed by a troubled soul reaching out in all the wrong ways, questioned some community members. According to online court records, Kratz had only one citation of trespass on his record, which occurred earlier this year. The tragedy on the tracks comes just weeks after Juneau County Coroner Kathy Kohutko provided the Juneau County Board of Supervisors with a 2013 summary of the coroner’s office. It was a grim report announcing that in 2013 there had been 10 suicides, and an additional two unnatural deaths that were deemed undetermined. In a recent article on the National Public Radio's website, suicide rates have been climbing steadily
The scene of the accident was secured by authorities near Marchowsky Park. since 2007, a trend that has been seen in the United States and in Europe. According to a 2010 Centers for Disease Control report, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death for Americans. The American Foundation for the Prevention of Suicide states males are four times more likely than females to die by suicide, however females attempt suicide three times as often as males. Risk factors run the gamut from mental health issues, financial stress, to alcohol or substance abuse or dependence, and many more. The key to prevention, according to the organiza-
tion, is paying attention to those around you: A person who is thinking about suicide may say so directly: “I’m going to kill myself.” More commonly, they may say something more indirect: “I just want the pain to end,” or “I can’t see any way out.” However, they warn that often those who reach that point may not vocalize it to others, but may show it in other ways such as losing interest in things, or losing the ability to experience pleasure; becoming socially isolated and withdrawn from friends, family, and others; having the feeling of being a burden to others;
and feeling trapped, desperate, or needing to escape from an intolerable situation. It is recommended that if you or someone you know start seeing these signs or other worrisome signs to seek help. The Juneau County Department of Human Services Provides 24-hour emergency services for emotional and family crises. They can be reached at 608-847-2400 or (emergency) 608-847-6161. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline has a website at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org and can be reached 24/7 by phone at 1-800273-8255.
Man charged for Camp Douglas BP robbery BY EVA MARIE WOYWOD Last Wednesday, June 11th, the Juneau County Dis-
trict Attorney's office filed a complaint against and arrest warrant for Corin J. Cramer, 39, of Tomah. Cramer is being charged with Armed Robbery and Felony Bail Jumping for the April 9, 2014 Camp Douglas BP robbery. At the time The Messenger went to press, online records through the Wisconsin Vine system show that Cramer is currently in custody of the Monroe County Sheriff's Department Jail. When the incident first occurred, the Juneau County Sheriff's Department issued a press release stating that on April 9th at approximately 1:20 a.m. a white male wearing a ski mask entered and demanded money from the store clerk. The man was armed with a mason's type hammer. He was described to be 5'5" tall with a slight pot belly.
The criminal complaint filed last week states that the clerk had been in the back room doing her nightly cleaning duties. When she exited the back room to the main sales area, the suspect was standing there with a hammer raised above his head. She claims he stated, "I need you up front right now! This isn't a joke!" Once by the register, the suspect had the clerk ring up a sale to open the register to take the cash. He then told her to move to the back room so she wouldn't see which direction he left in. It is alleged that he took between $700 and $1,000. The investigation included reviewing security camera video and issuing a press release with a description and pictures from the video. From that release, the Sheriff's Department received a
Facebook tip from a party who stated the suspect looked like Cramer and the car, that he was believed to be driving, appeared to be the same type of vehicle he had been known to drive. The tip also revealed that around the time of the incident Cramer was allegedly looking to borrow a handgun. On April 16 the Dane County Sheriff's Department contacted the Juneau County Sheriff's Department as the day prior, a TA Travel Center in Dane County had been robbed and they wanted copies for comparison of the security footage from the Camp Douglas BP robbery. After reviewing the evidence, Dane County reported that there were similarities in the suspects footwear. Cramer was interviewed by Juneau County Detective Shaun Goyette on April 28th
at his Tomah residence where he lives with his parents and a brother. Cramer claimed to have nothing to do with the robbery, and that he did not leave the house much. Cramer told the detective that he was on disability due to a broken back sustained from a snowmobile crash and that he walks with a limp. Upon leaving the residence Goyette stated he noted a pair of shoes by the door that matched the description of the suspect's the night of the robbery. Cramer told the detective the shoes did not belong to him but rather his father. The investigation continued and on May 13th a clerk at the BP informed Det. Goyette that they believed the suspect had recently been in the store and he was captured on the security camera. A review of the footage led to
the identification of Cramer. A search warrant was issued on May 14th for Cramer's residence and vehicles belonging to his family members. The search was conducted and items were recovered including Green Bay Packer gloves, a black ski mask, gray and black slip-on shoes, clothing, receipts, a letter from a loan company, and syringes. Following the search warrant being served, Det. Goyette carried out an in depth investigation which included many interviews with people close to Cramer, including some in Dane County. Phone records were reviewed and additional search warrants were carried out. Cramer does have a criminal history including prior drug charges and eluding an officer.