Jessica Anne Strom (File photo)
The Merrill woman accused of trying to hire someone to kill her fiancé has entered not guilty pleas to the charges.
33-year-old Jessica Anne Strom was in Marathon County court Thursday for a preliminary hearing and arraignment. Prosecutor Ralph Uttke called one witness, Wausau Police Detective Jennifer Holz, who outlined how a former classmate and former love interest met with Strom at a Wausau restaurant to discuss and plan the murder of Attorney John Schellpfeffer. Holz told the court that Strom “suggested that he go to his office, his home office in Merrill, under the guise of setting up an appointment, and then walking in and shooting him.”
The court found enough evidence to bind Strom over for trial. The judge also denied reducing her bond from $250,000, a decision Uttke praised as being the right move because of concerns about the victim and confidential informant.