Niner
Long time Websleuther
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2003
- Messages
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Monday, May 20th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 3pm 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 & ended on 3/12/24 with closing arguments. Jury began deliberations on 3/12/14 for an hour & found Sotka guilty of all charges.
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 (3/6-3/8/24) reference post #31 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...23-suspect-arrested-in-arkansas.662958/page-2
3/11/24 Monday, Trial Day 4: State witnesses: No witnesses listed. The prosecution rested. The defense called no witnesses & rested their case.
The judge agreed to let the jury consider convicting Sotka of the lesser charge of 1st degree reckless homicide for both victims. A conviction on that charge carries up to 60 years in prison instead of an automatic life sentence. The prosecution said it was strongly opposed when the defense asked to let the jury consider a 2nd degree reckless homicide charge as well, which carries a maximum 25-year sentence.
For more info see post #32 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...23-suspect-arrested-in-arkansas.662958/page-2
3/11/24 Monday, Day 4/Jury Deliberations Day 1: 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. Jury deliberated for an hour & finds defendant guilty on all 8 counts. Court orders PSI. 3/11/24: Exhibit list, Verdict, jury instructions. Other papers: jury questions. 3/8/24: Confidential crime victim information. 3/26/24 Subpoena-paid 3/26/24.
4/29/24 Docket update: Pre-sentence investigation filed. PSI available to attorneys.
5/6/24 Docket update: Payment voucher. Court revokes bond. Sentencing hearing scheduled for 5/20/24 @ 3pm.
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 3pm 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 & ended on 3/12/24 with closing arguments. Jury began deliberations on 3/12/14 for an hour & found Sotka guilty of all charges.
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 (3/6-3/8/24) reference post #31 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...23-suspect-arrested-in-arkansas.662958/page-2
3/11/24 Monday, Trial Day 4: State witnesses: No witnesses listed. The prosecution rested. The defense called no witnesses & rested their case.
The judge agreed to let the jury consider convicting Sotka of the lesser charge of 1st degree reckless homicide for both victims. A conviction on that charge carries up to 60 years in prison instead of an automatic life sentence. The prosecution said it was strongly opposed when the defense asked to let the jury consider a 2nd degree reckless homicide charge as well, which carries a maximum 25-year sentence.
For more info see post #32 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...23-suspect-arrested-in-arkansas.662958/page-2
3/11/24 Monday, Day 4/Jury Deliberations Day 1: 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. Jury deliberated for an hour & finds defendant guilty on all 8 counts. Court orders PSI. 3/11/24: Exhibit list, Verdict, jury instructions. Other papers: jury questions. 3/8/24: Confidential crime victim information. 3/26/24 Subpoena-paid 3/26/24.
4/29/24 Docket update: Pre-sentence investigation filed. PSI available to attorneys.
5/6/24 Docket update: Payment voucher. Court revokes bond. Sentencing hearing scheduled for 5/20/24 @ 3pm.
