Update: Eric Koula Guilty on All Chrages
Wednesday, June 27th, 2012 -- 4:14 PM
-The jury has found Eric Koula, a Neillsville graduate, guilty on all charges.Koula was found guilty of two counts of first degree intentional homicide for the deaths of Dennis and Merna Koula, his parents. He was also found guilty of uttering a forgery. Koula shook his head at the verdict and left a La Crosse County courtroom Wednesday afternoon in tears.
The verdict came just after 3:30 p.m. Wednesday after one of the longest trials in the county?s history with 57 witnesses, 14 days of testimony, one day of closing arguments and 2? days of deliberations.
La Cross County District Attorney Time Gruenke said, ?It?s a relief to the family the jury came to the conclusion they did. I?m not sure there?s any joy in this. Dennis and Merna are still gone.?
Koula could be sentenced to life in prison for the homicide counts and six years for the forgery. He?ll be sentenced Aug. 24.
Each jury member confirmed that they said guilty on all counts. Jury members left the courtroom quickly as emotions were very high.
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