June 19, 2023 at 12:26 p.m.
Preliminary hearing waived in attempted homicide case
Preliminary hearing waived in attempted homicide case
By River News Staff-
Andrew B. Geisler waived his preliminary hearing during a short appearance before Oneida County circuit judge Mike Bloom June 13.
Geisler is being represented by defense attorney Wright Laufenberg.
"It is our intent to waive the preliminary hearing," Laufenberg told the court. "Although we certainly disagree with the charges that have been issued, respectfully. At this time, we believe the state has the ability to (meet the burden of probable cause necessary for this hearing)."
Hearing that, Bloom bound Geisler over for further proceedings.
"The allegations in the criminal complaint are sufficient to establish at least probable cause that a felony offense was committed by this defendant in Oneida County," Bloom said.
Geisler is being held in the Oneida County jail on a $100,000 cash bond.
According to press release issued by the Minocqua Police Department, officers responded to the Walmart parking lot on Northridge Way on May 21 after gunshots were reported.
Upon officers' arrival, investigation determined that the situation stemmed from a domestic situation, according to the release. There were no injuries as a result of the gunshots.
Minocqua Police Chief Dave Jaeger said the shooter, later identified as Geisler, had left the scene and was taken into custody at his residence.
According to the complaint, two people reported Geisler shot at their vehicle several times and a well-timed duck prevented serious injury or death.
"He just wasn't aiming into the air to scare me," one of the two alleged victims told police. "It was right at my (expletive) head if I wouldn't have gone on the ground."
The complaint also indicates Geisler may have been intending to fight one of the two individuals in the parking lot.
A handgun, several gun cases and six gun magazines with bullets in them were found during a subsequent search of Geisler's residence, the complaint states. The complaint also states a gun was found in Geisler's vehicle.
Citing the "incredibly aggravated nature" of the allegations, assistant district attorney Jillian Pfeifer requested a high cash bond.
"The defendant fired ten rounds at the vehicle, all hitting the vehicle," she told Oneida County circuit judge Mike Bloom on May 23. "He was inches away from one of those bullets striking Victim 2."
"Despite the fact that apparently no person was actually injured as a result of the defendant's conduct, the conduct is aggravated," Bloom agreed.
Conditions of bond include absolutely no consumption of alcohol, no possession of firearms and surrender of passport within 24 hours of release.
Arraignment - the hearing where a defendant first enters a plea - is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. June 26.
Attempted first degree intentional homicide carries a maximum penalty of 60 years in prison. Possession of a firearm while intoxicated carries a maximum penalty of nine years in prison.
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