RUDY TO PLEAD TO MURDER, DISMEMBERMENT CHARGES
Tuesday, May 16th, 2006 -- 11:26 AM
The Thorp man charged with one of the most notorious crimes in Clark County history has apparently decided to plead to the charges.Authorities believe 23-year-old Shaun Rudy murdered his wife, Christine, and her unborn child.
In a shocking development during a status conference in Clark County Circuit Court Tuesday morning, Rudy?s attorney, David Grace, told Judge Jon Counsell that his client wanted a plea hearing scheduled in the matter.
Rudy is charged with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide and one count of mutilating a corpse.
Under 'Wisconsin's' Truth in Sentencing guidelines, 1st Degree Intentional Homicide is a Class ?A? felony, punishable by life in prison.
It is highly unusual for cases of this magnitude not to go to trial and there was obvious surprise in the courtroom.
The mother and father of the alleged victim appeared surprised, and Judge Counsell actually questioned if Grace was talking about the homicide charges.
Grace confirmed he?d talked with his client and this is how he wanted to proceed.
The plea hearing has been set for Thursday, May 25th at 8:15 a.m.
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