June 20, 2012 at 5:14 p.m.
Possible plea deal for former medical examiner delayed
By Kyle Rogers-kyle@rivernewsonline.com
At a pretrial conference Tuesday, Oneida County Assistant District Attorney Steve Michlig said England's attorney, Joel Hirschhorn, and District Attorney Mike Bloom are negotiating a plea deal.
However, Michlig said, this is Bloom's last week as district attorney as he prepares to fill a vacant judge position. Michlig asked for more time to become familiar with the case. A new pretrial date is set for Aug. 21.
Hirschhorn agreed, saying plea negotiations had been progressing slowly because of charges England also faces in Forest County. England had a preliminary hearing in Forest County Monday and was bound over for trial. Arraignment was set for July 3. Hirschhorn said he expects to file motions in both counties.
England, 45, faces charges of misconduct in office in connection with an incident in January in which an Oneida County sheriff's deputy allegedly saw her take tissue from the body of a deceased person while the two were in Fond du Lac to observe an autopsy.
Det. Sgt. Shannon Murray previously testified that she observed England pick tissue out of a plastic bag near a body that was being autopsied and place it in a plastic container. In addition, Murray said, England told her on the ride back to Rhinelander that day that she also took part of a spine from another body.
England allegedly told Murray that she planned to use the bone to train her dog to be a cadaver dog.
Murray then informed her supervisor, Lt. Jim Wood, and he took over the investigation.
Wood testified during a previous court hearing he interviewed England about Murray's allegations and that England admitted to taking the tissue and bone.
Hirschhorn has said his client might not have understood that such actions are illegal. England resigned her position following her arrest; a new medical examiner has since been appointed.
Kyle Rogers may be reached at kyle@rivernewsonline.com.
Comments:
You must login to comment.