A Sauk County Judge has rejected a request to add additional charges against a teenager accused of murdering his principal. Prosecutors had wanted to file an additional first degree attempted homicide charges against 16-year-old Eric Hainstock of rural LaValle, before his trial begins next week.
The charge was tied to Hainstock allegedly pointing his gun at another teacher, before he fatally shot Weston High School principal John Klang. At a hearing earlier this week, Sauk County DA Pat Barret argued that Hainstock intended to kill the teacher, but was stopped because he was tackled to the ground.
The judge rejected the additional charge, saying it would violate Hainstock's right to a fair trial and would be prejudicial. He also cited concerns that Hainstock's defense wouldn't have time to prepare a defense against the charge, with the trial set to begin in under a week.
Hainstock is already facing a charge of first degree intentional homicide, for the murder of Principal Klang. Hainstock's trial is set to begin later next week. If convicted, he faces life in prison.
