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Bail set at $1 million for suspect in Manitowoc homicides

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Bail is set at $1 million cash for a 35-year-old Appleton man who investigators believe is responsible for the shooting deaths of a Manitowoc father and his daughter. Karl Hess is facing two counts of first-degree intentional homicide in the September 2018 murders of 51-year-old Richard Miller and 19-year-old Jocelyn Miller.

They were found fatally shot in their home in the 3700 block of Dale Street. Police say Hess was acquainted with the two victims, and that theft was the motive for the crimes.

Hess “knew Mr. Miller, was acquainted with him, and premeditated this crime,” said Manitowoc County District Attorney Jacalyn LaBre said Thursday.

“The one million dollar request really points to simply not set bond and keep him in custody,” Court Commissioner Patricia Koppa said. “That’s the reality of these cases.”

Formal charges are expected to be filed in the next few days. Hess remains in the Manitowoc County Jail and his initial appearance is scheduled for Monday afternoon at 1:30.

WOMT

 

Jake Patterson enters guilty pleas in Closs kidnapping and murders

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Sniffling and tearful in court, Jake Patterson pleaded guilty on Wednesday to charges in the murders of Jayme Closs’ parents and the kidnapping of the Barron teenager. Patterson’s attorney had to walk him through the pleas, and make sure that he was heard in court.

Barron County Judge James Babler accepted those pleas. “The court finds the the three pleas are knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily given.”

Patterson faces life in prison at his sentencing date in May.

State Appeals Court in Wausau responds to request for stay in lame duck laws case

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The state Court of Appeals has responded to a request to stay a ruling overturning last year’s Republican authored lame duck laws.

The Third District Court of Appeals says they’d like to hear from both Republicans and the groups filing the lawsuit challenging the lame duck laws.

The court reminded Republicans that they have to file for appeal with Dane County Court, and that they want to have briefs filed by Monday. The Court also allowed Attorney General Josh Kaul a say in the case, since the ruling involves Wisconsin laws being made unconstitutional.

Hortonia residents protest site location for new youth prison

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A Fox Valley town is pushing back over a proposed youth prison, but it’s not clear if any changes will be made.

Hortonia residents aren’t happy about being picked as the site for a proposed youth prison.

People packed a town board meeting this week to lobby against the site and to ask the board to prevent the construction. The board also complained to the Department of Corrections that they weren’t briefed or consulted with the placement.

State officials say the selected location is state property, and likely won’t change.

 

WTAQ

Manitowoc police seek public help in double homicide

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The Manitowoc Police Department is requesting the public’s help for information in connection to the deaths of two people last September. Captain Dave Vorpahl said police have been actively investigating, and have developed several leads.

Police responded the morning of September 9th to 3709 Dale Street for a report of two people who were deceased. The victims were Identified as 51-year-old Richard Miller and his 19-year-old daughter Jocelyn Miller. Both died from gunshot wounds.

Investigators want to identify a male subject that was seen in the area the night of the homicides, along with a vehicle described as an early 2000’s model Toyota Highlander possibly tan or gold in color.

A reward of up to $2000 may be offered for information that helps solve this case. Call Manitowoc Police at 686-6551or if you choose to remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 683-4466.

WOMT

FBI offers reward in Noelani Robinson case

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Milwaukee police are asking for nationwide help in finding two-year-old Noelani Robinson. During a Friday press conference, Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales said that the toddler’s mother Sierra Robinson was murdered – allegedly by Noelani’s father, Dariaz Higgins.

Morales said Higgins has provided investigators with information on Noelani’s whereabouts “however, all of it has proven to be untrue. The suspect is a cold-blooded killer.”

Morales also said Higgins and his victim have been involved in human trafficking.

“We’re asking the media to help put this information out there,” because Higgins has ties to several midwestern states, including Michigan, Minnesota and Missouri. “But he has ties all the way down to Miami, Florida and Las Vegas, Nevada,”

The FBI is now offering a $5,000 reward for information that helps locate the little girl.

Wisconsin AG Kaul supports national law to combat robocalls and phone scams

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Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul is joining the rest of his colleagues across the country to push for a new law that would put a damper on robocalls.

Kaul says the TRACED act would direct telecommunications companies in the US to create a system to detect and stop spoofed calls, and to stop selling spoofed numbers to scammers.

“They would be required to implement this technology within, I believe it’s 18 months. So that’s one of the good things about the legislation is that it puts a mandate in place.”

He says scam calls and robo calls are consistently the biggest threat to consumers right now. “That’s why the required implementation of a call authentication framework is really important because it will reduce the likelihood consumers get these calls with spoofed area codes.”

The bill would also make it easier for law enforcement to prosecute the crooks running these outfits, even if they’re based overseas.

 

Jayme Closs kidnapper to enter guilty pleas

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The man charged with kidnapping teenager Jayme Closs and killing her parents says he will enter a guilty plea to all charges. Jake Patterson is scheduled for arraignment in Barron County Circuit Court March 27th.

Patterson sent a letter to a reporter at Twin Cities television station KARE, in which he stated that he doesn’t want his victim or her family to worry about a trial. Patterson didn’t mention the murders of James and Denise Closs in the letter. He currently faces four felony charges.

West Allis girl fends off kidnapper with a bag of candy

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A scary situation for a student in West Allis on Thursday after a fifth grader at Horace Mann Middle School says a man tried to kidnap her.

He allegedly grabbed her by the wrist and tried to pull her into his car, but she fought him off with her bag of Valentine’s candy.

Local resident Chini Lorenzana says she’s proud of the girl. “She did everything right and she told the school when she got here and that’s pretty awesome. Pretty brave of her.”

Police say the man is described as possibly Hispanic, between 30 and 40 years old, around 5 and a half feet tall and walked with a limp. He was driving a white S U V with larger than normal tires.

Patterson waives preliminary hearing, will head to trial for Closs kidnapping and murders

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The man accused of kidnapping Jayme Closs and killing her parents is headed to trial

In a very brief hearing on Wednesday, 21-year-old Jake Patterson waived his right to a preliminary hearing.

Barron County judge James Babler accepted that waiver and bound Patterson over for trial on two counts of homicide, one count of kidnapping, and one count of armed burglary.

Police say Patterson confessed to the attack and the kidnapping at the time of his arrest.

Patterson will be back in court for arraignment March 27th.