January 21, 2015 at 4:04 p.m.
Suspect in 2003 homicide case makes court appearance
Suspect in 2003 homicide case makes court appearance
Latoya J. Wolf, 33, has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide, as party to the crime, in connection with the death of Kenneth "Punky" Wells.
Wells' body was recovered from the Wisconsin River behind the Trig's Riverwalk Centre on July 1, 2003. Although court records indicate Wolf first told police she had information about Wolf's death back in 2012, she was not charged until Jan. 19.
An identical charge was also filed against James R. Jones (also known as James R. Thomas), 42, of New Richmond and a warrant was issued for his arrest. The charge was dismissed Tuesday morning and the warrant quashed.
Oneida County District Attorney Michael Schiek explained that since her arrest Wolf has been interviewed twice by detectives from the Rhinelander Police Department. The first interview was conducted Friday afternoon, the second on Monday afternoon.
"I reviewed the recording of the interview from Friday on Monday afternoon and determined that Mr. Jones didn't play a part in the murder of the deceased," Schiek said before Tuesday's hearing.
According to the court papers, dismissal of the charge was "in the interest of justice."
During Tuesday's hearing, Wolf appeared by video from the county jail. She told Bloom she has applied for a public defender, but an appointment has not yet been made. Bloom set a $100,000 cash bond and scheduled an adjourned initial appearance for 1:30 p.m. Friday. Wolf is also being held on a probation hold through Lincoln County.
Rhinelander Police Chief Mike Steffes held a press conference following the hearing. He said Wolf has been "very emotional," in interviews with detectives and continues to cooperate. He agreed with Schiek that the additional statements from Wolf made it clear that Jones played no part in Wells' death.
He noted that the Wells case languished due to a lack of evidence at the time and because the detective working the case left for another job.
Steffes said Detective Sergeant Joshua Chiamulera began looking into cold cases after was promoted in January 2014. In the Wells case, he was able to get Wolf to provide information.
According to court documents, Wolf began giving investigators information concerning Wells' death in February 2012. Subsequent interviews were conducted as recently as March 2014. Wolf's statements are described in the criminal complaint as being very detailed and containing information that only someone who witnessed the death would be able to share.
Wolf told police she witnessed an altercation between Wells and at least one man at the Elbo Room bar on the night of his death. She also told investigators that her party moved to the Longbranch Bar after the altercation. Sometime later that night, Wolf said she saw a couple of men beat and kick Wells. Wolf admitted to helping place a plastic bag over Wells' head and roll him into the river.
The initial autopsy conducted by an assistant medical examiner in the Fond du Lac County Medical Examiner's office revealed that Wells died of "probable freshwater drowning." The manner of death was ruled "undetermined."
Court documents indicate other individuals believed to have been involved in the crime have been interviewed since 2012.
Steffes was mum when asked if anyone else will be charged.
"I don't want to compromise an ongoing investigation," he said.
He also declined to say if there were any other cold cases the department was currently working on.
Steffes said being able to give the Wells family and friends closure is important.
"For me, I guess there is no greater relief than being able to give (answers) to a family and loved ones of Kenneth," he said. "To be able to tell that family what actually happened and make sure the people are brought to justice who are guilty of committing the crime."
Jamie Taylor may be reached at [email protected].
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