A Weyauwega man who gained statewide notoriety for his involvement in the slaughter of five deer with snowmobiles last winter made his initial appearance Thursday afternoon in Waupaca County Circuit Court, for a hit and run death from 2004.
Rory A. Kuenzi, who’s currently jailed on a probation violation, is charged with hit and run causing death, and causing death by drunk driving. Prosecutors say the 25 year-old Keunzi was behind the wheel of a pickup truck which struck and killed 20 year-old Kevin McCoy on the night of October 23rd, 2004. According to the criminal complaint, both men had attended an underage drinking party that night, and McCoy was struck from behind as he walked along a road.
Attorneys representing Keunzi argued for dismissal of the homicide by drunk driving charge, arguing a lack of sufficient facts in the criminal complaint. Judge Phillip Kirck disagreed, setting Kuenzi’s bail at $100,000 cash, and his next court appearance for January 8th. Kuenzi’s prosecution is being handled by the state attorney general’s office.
In January, Rory Kuenzi, his 24 year-old brother Robby Kuenzi, and 22-year-old Nicholas Hermes were charged with felony mistreatment of an animal, after they were arrested for allegedly using snowmobiles to run down deer. Those charges were later dropped, although Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen sought an appeals court review of those dismissals. All three men were charged with hunting violations, and the case generated widespread outrage around the state.
Jack Barry, WDUX