Accused gunman faces trial in neighbor’s death

By: Associated Press//August 16, 2011//

Listen to this article

sheriff — Jefferson County Sheriff Paul Milbrath and District Attorney Susan Happ respond to a question during a news conference following an initial court appearance Aug. 1 in Jefferson where James H. Richards, 19, of Oconomowoc, and James T. Richardson, 51, of Watertown, were charged in the murder of Beau Butschke, 28, of Ixonia. (AP Photo/The Watertown Daily Times, Samantha Christian)

JEFFERSON, Wis. (AP) — The man accused of fatally shooting a neighbor in Jefferson County will face trial.

Fifty-one-year-old James Richardson waived a preliminary hearing during an appearance in court Monday. Richardson and his co-defendant, 19-year-old James Richards, are charged with first-degree intentional homicide, hiding a corpse and theft in the disappearance and death of Beau Butschke. His body was found in late July nearly two weeks after he disappeared.

WISN-TV says a motion to dismiss the homicide charge was made on behalf of Richards.

Richardson and Butschke were neighbors in Ixonia and investigators say they sometimes argued about taking care of their property. Police say Richardson has admitted shooting Butschke with the help of Richards.

Information from: WISN-TV, http://www.wisn.com

Select Region or Brand

Upcoming Event