Attorney General Josh Kaul said individuals on the ‘hit list’ of the man who allegedly murdered a retired Juneau County Judge do not appear to be in any danger

“As we learn information that we can provide to the public while maintaining the integrity of the information, we’re going to continue providing that information.” Kaul said in Milwaukee on Monday. “And also if we learn any information that causes us to be concerned about the safety of the public or any individual, we’ll certainly provide that information.”))

On Friday, retired judge John Rohmer was found zip tied to a chair and shot to death in his home. His alleged killer shot himself and is in critical condition. The list found in Douglas Uhde’s vehicle included Governor Tony Evers and Michigan Governor Gretchen Wittmer.

The AG noted elected officials have their own security details which are in the best position to assess threats.

Governor Tony Evers is stepping in, to halt the release of a convicted killer. In a Friday letter to Wisconsin Parole Commission Chair John Tate, Evers asks for immediate reconsideration of next week’s scheduled release of Douglas Balsewicz.

The letter follows a meeting Evers had with the family of Johanna Balsewicz. Douglas Balsewicz was convicted in 1997 of stabbing his wife to death in front of their two young children.

“I had the opportunity to speak directly with them and heard firsthand about the weight of the grief, trauma, and anxiety they carry every day,” Evers wrote. “I also heard about their concerns throughout this recent parole process, including a lack of transparency, accountability, and notification, causing more trauma and pain for Johanna’s family.”

Douglas Balsewicz was sentenced to 80 years in prison, and the presiding judge told the parole commission at the time that the case was not appropriate for early release. Johanna’s family has been outraged by the decision to release Balsewicz after only 25 years.

Marathon County deputies say a group of scammers stole over 80 thousand dollars from three elderly residents over the last few weeks.

Public information officer Sarah Severson says the scammers pretended to be distressed grandchildren. “That grandchild was being held in jail and needed bond money and these individuals called asking for that money and then later showed up at the victim’s home in person to collect the cash.”

Severson says it’s a reminder to stay in touch with elderly family members and to set up code words in case of real trouble. “So if you do receive a phone call that someone that you don’t know is asking you for money it’s really important that you verify the facts.”

If you have any information or received one of these calls, you’re asked to reach out to the Sheriff’s office as well.

From Chippewa Falls PD

Horrific details emerged as the suspect in the murder of 10-year-old Iliana “Lily” Peters of Chippewa Falls made an initial court appearance.

District Attorney Wade Newell described the assault in Chippewa County Court on Wednesday.

The suspect “punched the victim in the stomach, knocked her to the ground, essentially strangled her with a stick, essentially strangling her to the point of death before he sexually assaulted her.” According to the DA, the juvenile also told police “that his intention was to rape and kill the victim from the get go.”

Judge James Lane approved a one million dollar cash bond for the 14-year-old suspect. The next court hearing in the case is scheduled for May 5.

The juvenile is charged in adult court with first-degree intentional homicide and sexual assault of a child.

Newell said Lily and the suspect are related but did not provide details. He said they left Lily’s aunt’s house together on Sunday. Her father reported her missing that night, and Lily’s body was found Monday.

Police officers in Neenah are trying to figure out who left a plastic tub full of puppies on a sidewalk Sunday night.

Community officer Joe Benoit says the dogs were located in a residential area. 

“There was no food or water available to the puppies. So the puppies were taken into custody and placed in the local animal shelter provided with food and water there and they continue to be cared for.”

Benoit says they’re already getting a flurry of calls and tips in the case and are investigating. “If in fact, the investigation concludes that the dogs were intentionally abandoned, the owner could be cited with a municipal violation, they could be charged criminally.”

The dogs will be held by the shelter for observation before any choices are made on adoption.