Attorney James Connell and Chad Jorgenson this morning in Langlade County court. |
Order prison term for local murder plot Nov. 25, 2008 Chad Jorgensen, an Antigo businessman who has spent the last 240 days behind bars in the Langlade County Safety Building, will be spending another 1,500 or so in the Wisconsin prison system following a sentencing hearing this morning.
Before passing the term for soliciting first degee murder, Langlade County Circuit Court Judge Fred Kawalski said he was puzzled and troubled by the case.
He explained that he has known Jorgensen since he appeared in court a few years ago in divorce proceedings with his wife, Kelly, and is aware that he was a successful, respected and hard-working businessman.
“Then there is a dark side,” the judge said.
Kawalski said that it was apparently that dark side that surfaced when the 37-year old man was jailed on divorce-related problems. It was there where he befriended a man with a long criminal record and the two cooked up a plan to kill Jorgensen’s estranged wife. The plan was later called off.
During a jury trial in September, Jorgensen was convicted of a felony for plotting his wife’s mortal demise. His jail-house friend had recorded their discussions about the killing and it served as one of the key pieces of evidence that led to the conviction.
District Attorney Ralph Uttke, however, suggested it was Jorgensen’s own testimony during trial which led to his conviction.
And the jury apparently agreed, returning with a quick verdict of guilt.
“This is an extremely serious case,” Uttke said, suggesting that prison was the only option.
Defense counsel James Connell suggested that the events which led to his client’s felony conviction spiraled out of the bitter divorce and despite the evidence presented in court, Jorgensen was an upstanding citizen.
“This loose talk in jail started an avalanche that buried him,” Connell said.
Providing more than two dozen letters of support, Connell marked his client’s total lack of a criminal record and his solid academic and work history.
He argued that should a prison term be ordered, taxpayers would be forced to spend thousands for Jorgensen’s care. Should probation be ordered, Jorgensen could work and therefore, be a contributing member of society.
He also argued that the punishment has already been severe.
“Whatever sentence you impose, he will never put past the stigma of a serious criminal conviction,” he said, noting the shame the case brought to the family. “He’s lost his son, he’s lost his home, he’s lost his business and he’s already served 11 months in jail.”
Uttke agreed that the case was a difficult one and explained that from all indications, what Jorgensen did appeared to be out of character but the simple fact was that he wanted his wife dead.
“She is in absolute terror,” he said.
“He must be severely punished,” Uttke said, adding that the community must be protected.
Uttke marked Jorgensen’s lack of remorse and argued that a probation term, as requested by the defense, would depreciate the seriousness of the offense as well as send a wrong message to those less than satisfied with their own relationships.
“He is an individual who needs to come to grips that he was responsible for his actions. He needs to be held accounta ble,” Uttke said.
Prior to his sentencing, Jorgensen marked his regret and explained that he never intended to kill or have someone kill his former wife.
“I am sorry,” he said.
Calling it an “extremely difficult case,” Judge Kawalski ordered an eight year term, splitting it between five years of incarceration and three years of extended supervision. The time will be minus the 240 days of time already served. During that time, he is to have no contact with his ex-wife or her family and continue treatment and counseling.
At conclusion of the hearing, Connell filed a notice for post-conviction relief. A request for bail pending appeal was denied.
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