June 20, 2018 at 4:15 p.m.
Jillian Buza bound over for trial in false imprisonment case
Jillian Buza bound over for trial in false imprisonment case
By By Abigail Bostwick-
A preliminary hearing Wednesday saw Jillian Buza, 39, before Judge Michael Bloom in Oneida County Circuit Court. After hearing from an investigator, Bloom bound her over for further proceedings.
Joseph Buza, 70, was seen for an adjourned initial appearance Monday, which was rescheduled to Friday. Both Buzas, who are divorced, are from Eagle River.
According to court records, Jillian had an appointment at the pain clinic June 12 but arrived late with Joseph and was asked to reschedule. She reportedly said she would go home and kill herself and began calling for the provider. Jillian was taken to an exam room and Joseph followed, reports state.
Inside, Joseph cornered the practitioner with his wheelchair and held a hatchet and meat tenderizer to her face while Jillian asked, "Are you ready?" and duct-taped and held the office door closed, reports say. Joseph told the practitioner he wanted her to "see what pain felt like" and that "he was going to chop and take her out with them," court documents state.
The pair was allegedly upset that the practitioner was stepping Jillian off opiate prescription drugs, the criminal complaint notes.
Staff at Marshfield Clinic were able to force the door open and detain both Buzas before police arrived, court records indicate. Jillian reportedly said, "I told you we should have just killed ourselves," after being restrained.
A Minocqua police officer reported Joseph informed him he planned to "smash" the practitioner's hands, wrists and feet before killing Jillian and himself. He also said he had "no remorse...knew what he was doing and not crazy," the criminal complaint says.
Jillian allegedly told police she did not know what Joseph had planned, court records state.
At the preliminary hearing for Jillian Buza Wednesday morning, Detective Sergeant David Geiss of the Minocqua Police Department testified that he had been called to the scene where the Buzas had been detained by clinic staff. He interviewed the alleged victim, who reported she had banged on the window to try to call for help after Joseph Buza produced the hatchet and meat tenderizer. Geiss said the loaded revolver was later found in his bag, along with door wedges.
"He wanted (the practitioner) to know what pain they lived in," testified Geiss. "He wanted her to know the hell he lived in."
Rhinelander defense attorney Breanna Magallones indicated Jillian had expressed to police she did not want to see the alleged victim hurt. She added that Joseph did not "chop or hit" the alleged victim with either the tenderizer or the hatchet.
"She took it as a threat," Geiss said to the court of the weapons being held by her face.
Oneida County assistant district attorney Jillian Pfeifer is prosecuting the case.
Jillian Buza will be arraigned July 9.
Joseph and Jillian Buza are each charged with felony false imprisonment (as party to a crime), felony attempted aggravated battery (as party to a crime) and disorderly conduct. Joseph Buza is also charged with carrying a concealed weapon. They remain jailed on $250,000 cash bonds. They face more than 14 years in prison each if convicted.
The alleged victim has filed for restraining orders against both Jillian and Joseph Buza.
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