Vehicular homicide convict remains free (UPDATE)

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BARABOO, Wis. (AP) — A 28-year-old Wisconsin Dells man convicted of vehicular homicide won’t be sent to prison after a judge ruled him guilty but not mentally responsible for a crash that killed a 22-year-old woman.

Casey Wright will remain free, but he must receive treatment for mental illness, The Baraboo News Republic reported.

In a sentencing hearing Tuesday, Judge Patrick Taggart ordered Wright to continue to live with his mother as he submits to random drug testing, psychotherapy and medication. The judge said action will be taken if Wright doesn’t comply with the terms of his treatment plan.

Witnesses told police Wright was driving all over the road before he crashed into a vehicle driven by Lisa Mikec. Wright had marijuana in his system and told officers he thought demons were chasing him when he was arrested.

He was charged with homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle more than a year after the incident. He pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.

A pre-sentencing investigation found Wright had a history of violence and psychotic delusions related to schizophrenia.

A case manager at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services recommended Wright be sentenced to treatment in a community setting. Taggart said he had little choice but to follow their recommendations.

“Certainly, they feel that someone dropped the ball in getting treatment for this individual,” Taggart said. “I don’t know that I can disagree with them. This is something that never should have happened.”

Mikec’s relatives said after the hearing that they were disappointed by the outcome.

“He just goes back to living with his mother,” said Mikec’s aunt, Patti Schimmel of Brookfield. “They let him go with a slap on the wrist.”

Information from: Baraboo News Republic, http://www.wiscnews.com/bnr