WI - Rhonda Cegelski, 58 and Paula O'Connor, 53, stabbed to death, Green Bay, Jan 2023 *suspect arrested in Arkansas*

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Docket update:
Court record
Date Event Court official Court reporter Amount
03-05-2024 Amended information

03-01-2024 Proposed jury instructions
Additional text:
State's

link: Wisconsin Circuit Court Access
 
Wednesday, March 6th:
*Trial set to begin (@ 8:30am ET) - WI - *Rhonda Cegelski (58) & Paula O'Connor (53), stabbed to death, Jan. 29, 2023, Green Bay - *Richard Wendell Sotka (48/now 49) bf of Rhonda arrested (in Mississippi County, Arkansas on 1/30/23; arrest warrant filed 2/1/23), charged (2/1/23) & arraigned (3/10/23) with 1 count of 1st degree intentional homicide (use of a dangerous weapon & domestic abuse assessments) & 1 count of 1st degree intentional homicide (use of a dangerous weapon) & 1 count of felony bail jumping. Extradited from Arkansas to Wisconsin (2/2/23). Bond $2M. Plead not guilty.
Jury Selection began on 3/5/24 & ended on 3/5/24. Jury: 8 women & 6 men with 2 alternatives.
Trial set to begin on 3/6/24 (thru 3/15/24).
Judge Beau G. Liegeois. DA Dana J. Johnson. Defense attorneys Kirk B. Obear & Stephanie M. Rock.
Case & Court info from 1/30/23 thru 3/1/24 reference post #19 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...jan-2023-suspect-arrested-in-arkansas.662958/
3/1/24 Docket Update: State's proposed jury instructions. 3/5/24: Amended information.
3/5/24 Tuesday, Jury Selection: A jury was selected Tuesday, comprised of 8 women & 6 men, for a total of 14 jurors with 2 alternatives. Opening statements set to begin on 3/6/24.No info available. Maybe jury selection continues or trial begins on 3/6/24.
For more info see post #20 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...jan-2023-suspect-arrested-in-arkansas.662958/
 
Docket update:
Court record
Date Event Court official Court reporter Amount
03-06-2024 Jury trial Liegeois, Beau G Fick, Jennifer
Additional text:
DAY 1 - Deputy District Attorney Dana Johnson and Assistant District Attorney Kevin Steuck appear on behalf of the State. Defendant Richard W Sotka in court, in custody. Attorney Kirk Bowden Obear in court for Richard W Sotka. Attorney Stephanie M. Rock in court for Richard W Sotka. Present bond continued

03-05-2024 Stipulation

03-05-2024 Other papers
Additional text:
Juror Sign-In Sheet,
Juror Selection & Peremptory Challenges,
Random Listing Report - Voir Dire,
Jury Seating Chart - Voir Dire

03-05-2024 Jury selection Liegeois, Beau G Fick, Jennifer
Additional text:
Deputy District Attorney Dana Johnson and Assistant District Attorney Kevin Steuck appear on behalf of the State. Defendant Richard W Sotka in court, in custody. Attorney Kirk Bowden Obear in court for Richard W Sotka. Attorney Stephanie M. Rock in court for Richard W Sotka. Jury selection completed. Present bond continued


Court activities
Date Time Location Description Type Court official
03-07-2024 08:30 am Brown County Courthouse, 2nd Floor, Room 250 Jury trial Court Liegeois, Beau G

03-08-2024 08:30 am Brown County Courthouse, 2nd Floor, Room 250 Jury trial Court Liegeois, Beau G
03-11-2024 08:30 am Brown County Courthouse, 2nd Floor, Room 250 Jury trial Court Liegeois, Beau G
03-12-2024 08:30 am Brown County Courthouse, 2nd Floor, Room 250 Jury trial Court Liegeois, Beau G
03-13-2024 08:30 am Brown County Courthouse, 2nd Floor, Room 250 Jury trial Court Liegeois, Beau G
03-14-2024 08:30 am Brown County Courthouse, 2nd Floor, Room 250 Jury trial Court Liegeois, Beau G
03-15-2024 08:30 am Brown County Courthouse, 2nd Floor, Room 250 Jury trial Court Liegeois, Beau G

link: Wisconsin Circuit Court Access
 
eu.greenbaypressgazette.com

'He did it, absolutely': Trial begins for Green Bay man accused of stabbing to death girlfriend, her best friend

Defense attorney admits Richard Sotka killed both women, but disputes whether it was intentional.
eu.greenbaypressgazette.com

Mar. 6, 2024
GREEN BAY – Opening statements began Wednesday in the trial of a Green Bay man accused of a double homicide for the stabbing of his girlfriend and her friend in early 2023.

Richard Sotka, 49, is charged with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide with the use of a dangerous weapon, one count of domestic abuse, three counts of felony bail jumping, two counts of misdemeanor bail jumping, and criminal damage to property, a misdemeanor.
[.....]
Brown County Circuit Court Judge Beau Liegeois delivered jury instructions before opening arguments. The eight-day trial is not about determining if Sotka killed Cegelski and O'Connor, but whether their deaths were intentional, which is something both Liegeois and defense attorney Kirk Bowden Obear emphasized Wednesday morning.
[.....]
In his opening statement, Brown County Assistant District Attorney Kevin Steuck framed the double homicide as a complete story, with a beginning, middle and end. But unlike mystery novels, gnarled by plot twists and secret villains, Steuck argued this is a "straightforward and simple" story.
[.....]
Defense attorney Obear followed Steuck's opening statement by stating plainly that Sotka isn't being tried for killing the women, but his intentions to murder them.
[.....]
And since being charged with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide, Sotka landed another accusation of assaulting a prison guard in November 2023 after a prison guard confiscated items Sotka wasn't supposed to have in his jail cell.

Initial court appearances for battery by prisoners, also a felony, will take place April 3.


and this other article has who the witness was...

www.wbay.com

Opening statements, testimony begin in Sotka trial

Richard Sotka, 49, is accused of killing his girlfriend, Rhonda Cegelski, and her friend, Paula O’Connor, in January 2023.
www.wbay.com www.wbay.com

Mar. 6, 2024
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) - Tough and emotional testimony took place Wednesday in the double-murder trial for 49-year-old Richard Sotka. The daughter of one of the victims described to the jury how she unknowingly walked into a crime scene in January of 2023.

The victim’s mother, Rhonda Cegelski, and her mom’s best friend, Paula O’Connor were found dead in a duplex on Elkay Lane in Green Bay. Cegelski’s boyfriend at the time, Sotka, is accused of killing both women, then leaving the state. He faces several felonies, including two counts of first-degree intentional homicide.
[.....]
....Rhonda’s daughter, Paige, took the witness stand. She said she discovered Paula dead inside the duplex when going there to drop of her dog and quickly told her friend to call 9-1-1.


and more witnesses in this article....

www.nbc26.com

'A story of someone snapping,' defense lawyer admits Richard Sotka's guilt in double homicide trial

During opening statements of Richard Sotka's double homicide trial, his lawyer admitted Sotka killed two women. But, the attorney said, they'll argue against the state's claim it was intentional.
www.nbc26.com www.nbc26.com

Mar. 6, 2024
...In a recording played for the courtroom, a 9-1-1 dispatcher asks "Do you think she's dead?"

"Yes. Yes, 100 percent," Emily Rudnick, a witness, replied.
[.....]
Green Bay Police Sgt. Michael Luberda said he was the first to get there after the 9-1-1 call. He found Rhonda lying on her back in the kitchen.
 
Thursday, March 7th:
*Trial continues (Day 2) (@ 8:30am ET) - WI - *Rhonda Cegelski (58) & Paula O'Connor (53), stabbed to death, Jan. 29, 2023, Green Bay - *Richard Wendell Sotka (48/now 49) bf of Rhonda arrested (in Mississippi County, Arkansas on 1/30/23; arrest warrant filed 2/1/23), charged (2/1/23) & arraigned (3/10/23) with 1 count of 1st degree intentional homicide (use of a dangerous weapon & domestic abuse assessments) for Rhonda & 1 count of 1st degree intentional homicide (use of a dangerous weapon) for Paula & 1 count of felony bail jumping. Extradited from Arkansas to Wisconsin (2/2/23). Bond $2M. Plead not guilty.
Jury Selection began on 3/5/24 & ended on 3/5/24. Jury: 8 women & 6 men with 2 alternatives.
Trial began on 3/6/24 (thru 3/15/24).
Judge Beau G. Liegeois. Brown County Assistant DA Kevin Steuck & DA Dana J. Johnson. Defense attorneys Kirk B. Obear & Stephanie M. Rock.
Case & Court info from 1/30/23 thru 3/1/24 reference post #22 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...pect-arrested-in-arkansas.662958/[/page-2url] [COLOR=rgb(255, 0, 0)][SIZE=3][I]3...rested-in-arkansas.662958/page[/SIZE][/COLOR] 2[/url]
Opening statements by Brown County Assistant DA Kevin Steuck & by Defense attorney Kirk Obear.
State witnesses: Rhonda's mother (no name given). Paige Cegelski (?), Rhonda’s daughter., Eily Rudnick, called 911 (call played for jury) & Green Bay Police Sgt. Michael Luberda.
For more info see post #24 here:
[URL]https://www.websleuths.com/for...2023-suspect-arrested-in-arkansas.662958/page 2[/url]
Trial continues on Thursday, 3/7/24.
 
No docket update yet...

Friday, March 8th:
*Trial continues (Day 3) (@ 8:30am ET) - WI - *Rhonda Cegelski (58) & Paula O'Connor (53), stabbed to death, Jan. 29, 2023, Green Bay - *Richard Wendell Sotka (48/now 49) bf of Rhonda arrested (in Mississippi County, Arkansas on 1/30/23; arrest warrant filed 2/1/23), charged (2/1/23) & arraigned (3/10/23) with 1 count of 1st degree intentional homicide (use of a dangerous weapon & domestic abuse assessments) for Rhonda & 1 count of 1st degree intentional homicide (use of a dangerous weapon) for Paula & 1 count of felony bail jumping. Extradited from Arkansas to Wisconsin (2/2/23). Bond $2M. Plead not guilty.
Jury Selection began on 3/5/24 & ended on 3/5/24. Jury: 8 women & 6 men with 2 alternatives.
Trial began on 3/6/24 (thru 3/15/24).
Judge Beau G. Liegeois. Brown County Assistant DA Kevin Steuck & DA Dana J. Johnson. Defense attorneys Kirk B. Obear & Stephanie M. Rock.
Case & Court info from 1/30/23 thru 3/1/24 & Jury Selection Day (3/5/24) & Trial Day 1 (3/6/24) reference post #25 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ect-arrested-in-arkansas.662958/[/page-2[url] [COLOR=rgb(255, 0, 0)][SIZE=3]3/7/...nues on Friday, [B]3/8/24[/B].[/SIZE][/COLOR]
 
Court activities
Date Time Location Description Type Court official
03-11-2024 08:30 am Brown County Courthouse, 2nd Floor, Room 250 Jury trial Court Liegeois, Beau G


Court record
Date Event Court official Court reporter Amount
03-08-2024 Jury trial Liegeois, Beau G Fick, Jennifer
Additional text:
DAY 3 - Deputy District Attorney Dana Johnson and Assistant District Attorney Kevin Steuck appear on behalf of the State. Defendant Richard W Sotka in court, in custody. Attorney Kirk Bowden Obear in court for Richard W Sotka. Attorney Stephanie M. Rock in court for Richard W Sotka. Present bond continued

03-07-2024 Jury trial Liegeois, Beau G Fick, Jennifer
Additional text:
DAY 2 - Deputy District Attorney Dana Johnson and Assistant District Attorney Kevin Steuck appear on behalf of the State. Defendant Richard W Sotka in court, in custody. Attorney Kirk Bowden Obear in court for Richard W Sotka. Attorney Stephanie M. Rock in court for Richard W Sotka. Present bond continued

link: Wisconsin Circuit Court Access
 
Could not find any articles for Day 2 -

for Friday, 3/8 - Day 3

www.wbay.com

Sotka trial: Police interview played in court, victim from different case testifies

A woman who was beaten up by a man now accused of a double homicide in Green Bay took the stand Friday.
www.wbay.com www.wbay.com

Mar. 8, 2024
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) - A woman who was beaten up by a man now accused of a double homicide in Green Bay took the stand Friday.
[.....]
The victim told the jury she was out at a bar drinking with Sotka. When they got home, she testified she was drinking a glass of water and Sotka bumped it. It knocked out her tooth.

The next thing she remembers is being pushed to the ground by Sotka, losing consciousness, and waking up in the bathtub with the water running. She says Sotka hit her in the face several times and her ankle was shattered.

When Sotka left, she told the jury she made her escape. Later, a responding officer noted her injuries.
[.....]
When Sotka left, she told the jury she made her escape. Later, a responding officer noted her injuries.

“What did you observe? I could tell she was physically assaulted, eye black and blue, blood on her, frantically yelling and screaming, I could tell trauma, not much response but I knew she was beat up,” said Deputy Dan Miller, Waushara County Sheriff’s Office.

After their testimony, the jury heard from Sotka himself, as they listened to more than an hour of his interview with police.
 
An inside look at the second day of Richard Sotka's double homicide trial. Sotka's lawyer admits he killed two women during opening statements Wednesday.


...

In a recording played for the courtroom, a 9-1-1 dispatcher asks "Do you think she's dead?"

"Yes. Yes, 100 percent," Emily Rudnick, a witness, replied.


"It's straightforward, it's simple," the prosecution said during opening statements. "This is a story of someone snapping."

Richard Sotka is charged with murdering his girlfriend Rhonda Cegelski and her friend Paula O'Connor in January 2023.

"We are not going to be arguing that any other person than Richard Sotka killed these two women. He did," said Sotka's attorney.

He said they won't argue he's not guilty, but about the intent to kill.

Rhonda's daughter Paige was the first witness to take the stand Wednesday. Reporters were asked not to take photos or videos of her.

Police say on Jan. 29th, 2023, she was the first person to see the body of her mother's longtime friend Paula O'Connor on the floor of the duplex where Rhonda lived.


...


www.nbc26.com

'A story of someone snapping,' defense lawyer admits Richard Sotka's guilt in double homicide trial

During opening statements of Richard Sotka's double homicide trial, his lawyer admitted Sotka killed two women. But, the attorney said, they'll argue against the state's claim it was intentional.
www.nbc26.com www.nbc26.com

and last updated 6:50 PM, Mar 06, 2024
 
Last edited:
arielilane said:
An inside look at the second day of Richard Sotka's double homicide trial. Sotka's lawyer admits he killed two women during opening statements Wednesday.


...

In a recording played for the courtroom, a 9-1-1 dispatcher asks "Do you think she's dead?"

"Yes. Yes, 100 percent," Emily Rudnick, a witness, replied.


"It's straightforward, it's simple," the prosecution said during opening statements. "This is a story of someone snapping."

Richard Sotka is charged with murdering his girlfriend Rhonda Cegelski and her friend Paula O'Connor in January 2023.

"We are not going to be arguing that any other person than Richard Sotka killed these two women. He did," said Sotka's attorney.

He said they won't argue he's not guilty, but about the intent to kill.

Rhonda's daughter Paige was the first witness to take the stand Wednesday. Reporters were asked not to take photos or videos of her.

Police say on Jan. 29th, 2023, she was the first person to see the body of her mother's longtime friend Paula O'Connor on the floor of the duplex where Rhonda lived.


...


www.nbc26.com

'A story of someone snapping,' defense lawyer admits Richard Sotka's guilt in double homicide trial

During opening statements of Richard Sotka's double homicide trial, his lawyer admitted Sotka killed two women. But, the attorney said, they'll argue against the state's claim it was intentional.
www.nbc26.com www.nbc26.com

and last updated 6:50 PM, Mar 06, 2024
Click to expand...

Actually this is for day 1 - I have those witnesses after opening statements.

Can you find anything for Thursday, 3/7 - Day 2 as to witnesses? TIA! :)
 
Monday, March 11th:
*Trial continues (Day 4) (@ 8:30am ET) - WI - *Rhonda Cegelski (58) & Paula O'Connor (53), stabbed to death, Jan. 29, 2023, Green Bay - *Richard Wendell Sotka (48/now 49) bf of Rhonda arrested (in Mississippi County, Arkansas on 1/30/23; arrest warrant filed 2/1/23), charged (2/1/23) & arraigned (3/10/23) with 1 count of 1st degree intentional homicide (use of a dangerous weapon & domestic abuse assessments) for Rhonda & 1 count of 1st degree intentional homicide (use of a dangerous weapon) for Paula & 1 count of felony bail jumping. Extradited from Arkansas to Wisconsin (2/2/23). Bond $2M. Plead not guilty.
Jury Selection began on 3/5/24 & ended on 3/5/24. Jury: 8 women & 6 men with 2 alternatives.
Trial began on 3/6/24 (thru 3/15/24).
Judge Beau G. Liegeois. Brown County Assistant DA Kevin Steuck & DA Dana J. Johnson. Defense attorneys Kirk B. Obear & Stephanie M. Rock.
Case & Court info from 1/30/23 thru 3/1/24 & Jury Selection Day (3/5/24) & Trial Day 1 (3/6/24) reference post #25 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...23-suspect-arrested-in-arkansas.662958/page-2
3/7/24 Thursday, Trial Day 2: Deputy DA Dana Johnson & Assistant DA Kevin Steuck appear on behalf of the State. Defendant Sotka in court, in custody. Attorney Kirk Bowden Obear & Attorney Stephanie M. Rock in court for Sotka. Present bond continued. No article with state witnesses.
Trial continues on Friday, 3/8/24.
3/8/24 Friday, Trial Day 3: State witnesses: State witnesses: A woman who was beaten up by Sotka (no name given). Waushara County Sheriff's Office Deputy Dan Miller.
For more info see post #28 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...23-suspect-arrested-in-arkansas.662958/page-2
Trial continued on Monday, 3/11/24.
 
@WBAY

FIRST ALERT: The prosecution and defense both rested within seconds of each other in Richard Sotka's double-murder trial



https://twitter.com/x/status/1767187803463369190


GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) - The prosecution rested in Richard Sotka’s double murder case in Green Bay Monday morning.

Seconds later, the defense announced it rested, too, without calling any witnesses and with Sotka invoking his right to remain silent and not testify in his own defense.

As we’ve reported, Sotka is charged with first-degree intentional homicide for the deaths of Rhonda Cegelski and Paula O’Connor whose bodies were found inside Cegelski’s Green Bay duplex in January 2023.

The trial will proceed with jury instructions and closing arguments before Sotka’s case is decided by 12 jurors.

More at link...


www.wbay.com

Prosecutors, defense both rest in Sotka double-murder trial

Jurors can consider a lesser charge of first-degree reckless homicide for the deaths of Rhonda Cegelski and Paula O’Connor. Richard Sotka invoked his right not to testify.
www.wbay.com www.wbay.com

Mar. 11, 2024 at 9:53 AM EDT|Updated: 37 minutes ago
 
First video - WARNING - the details of this story maybe disturbing for some viewers:


'A story of someone snapping,' witnesses take stand in double homicide trial​


An inside look at the second day of Richard Sotka's double homicide trial. Sotka's lawyer admits he killed two women during opening statements Wednesday.



A jury selected for Richard Sotka, the man accused of killing two women in Green Bay​


On Tuesday the jury of 12 with 2 alternate jurors made up of 8 women and 6 men was seated.
 
Looks like a quick verdict by the jury!!

Court activities
Date Time Location Description Type Court official
05-20-2024 03:00 pm Brown County Courthouse, 2nd Floor, Room 250 Sentencing hearing Court Liegeois, Beau G


Court record
Date Event Court official Court reporter Amount
03-11-2024 Order for pre-sentence investigation Liegeois, Beau G
03-11-2024 Cash bond revoked Liegeois, Beau G
03-11-2024 Jury trial Liegeois, Beau G Fick, Jennifer
Additional text:
DAY 4 - Deputy District Attorney Dana Johnson and Assistant District Attorney Kevin Steuck appear on behalf of the State. Defendant Richard W Sotka in court, in custody. Attorney Kirk Bowden Obear in court for Richard W Sotka. Attorney Stephanie M. Rock in court for Richard W Sotka. Jury finds defendant guilty on all 8 counts. Court orders PSI. Court revokes bond.
Sentencing hearing scheduled for May 20, 2024 at 03:00 pm.

link: Wisconsin Circuit Court Access
 
fox11online.com

Richard Sotka convicted for the murders of two women in Green Bay

The jury deliberated about an hour before returning the verdicts.
fox11online.com fox11online.com

Mar. 11, 2024

GREEN BAY (WLUK) – Richard Sotka was convicted Monday of two counts of first-degree intentional homicide for the deaths of Rhonda Cegelski and Paula O'Connor at a Green Bay home in Jan. 2023.

The jury deliberated about an hour before returning the verdicts. It asked a single question during deliberations, requesting to see one piece of evidence.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 20. Sotka faces two mandatory life prison terms, but Judge Beau Liegeois can choose to set a date Sotka could first ask for parole, or decide he would never be eligible for release.
 
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