La Crosse Double Homicide Conviction Upheld
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A state appeals court says a man accused of killing the owner of a La Crosse camera store and the owner's teenage son was properly convicted.
A jury in 2013 convicted Jeffrey Lepsch of fatally shooting Paul Petras and 19-year-old A.J. Petras at May's Photo in September 2012. Lepsch argued on appeal he deserves a new trial because prospective jurors were sworn in outside his presence and a clerk administered the oath rather than a judge. He also argued the jurors were biased against him.
The 4th District Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that Lepsch should have objected to the swearing-in process at the time and the trial judge reasonably decided the jurors were impartial.
Lepsch's attorney didn't immediately return voicemail and email messages.
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