Black River Falls Man Appears in Clark County Court Regarding the Death of a Fairchild Man
Tuesday, April 29th, 2014 -- 2:31 PM
-A Black River Falls man appeared in Clark County Court on Tuesday regarding the death of a Fairchild man.In January of 2013, 20-year-old William Wilkinson-Hurst was found dead in his home and an exam determined that he died of an overdose from the drug fentanyl. During the hearing, Deputy Coroner Francis Carl said the autopsy determined that the level of fentanyl in Hurst?s body was twice the normal prescribed amount.
During the preliminary hearing, Clark County Assistant District Attorney, Richard Lewis, questioned several witnesses to determine whether or not 29-year-old Richard Madsen, of Black River Falls, was the one that, albeit indirectly, sold the drugs to Hurst through his accomplice, who is facing the same charges, 26-year-old Jessica Scoville of Fairchild.
Madsen?s lawyer, Karl Kelz, believed that there was nothing directly tying his client to the victim. In questioning Hurst?s ex-girlfriend, Heather Brake, he asked why she changed her story, telling authorities that Madsen wasn?t involved with the incident, when they were still going out in April of 2013, and telling authorities he was involved in October of 2013, when they were no longer going out.
In the end, Mr. Lewis said that the state had found probable cause in which William Wilkinson-Hurst purchased two packets of fentanyl from Jessica Scoville, who received it from a man named ?Ricky? that lived in Black River Falls, and later overdosed on the drug. Mr. Kelz questioned the plausibility of the case and asked for dismissal.
Judge John Finn agreed with the state and the court proceedings will continue. Madsen?s bail remained at $10,000 and, if convicted of the charge against him, he could face a $100,000 fine, 40 years in prison or both.
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