OCONTO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Oconto County District Attorney says a 17-year-old boy was released from jail because an investigation concluded he did not intend to kill a man earlier this month.
The teen was arrested in connection to the death of Jason Fotopoulos on Dec. 17. Oconto County.
District Attorney Edmund Burke says the 17-year-old boy killed Fotopoulos with a punch, but the teen was attempting to defend himself.
The DA says the nature of the injury to Fotopoulos “and the lack any outward physical signs of injury would not lead an ordinary person to believe that Jason was severely injured after the fatal blow was delivered.”
Oconto County Sheriff Mike Jansen says the 36-year-old Fotopoulos died during a fight at a Chase home, and the 17-year-old was Fotopoulos’ neighbor.
The sheriff says in a fight at the teen’s home, the teen knocked Fotopoulous to the ground and Fotopoulous had trouble breathing. Jansen says the teen tried to give the man CPR but could not revive him. The 17-year-old was arrested that day.
According to the DA, witnesses say Fotopoulos directed racially inappropriate language at the 17- year-old, who is black, on two occasions, including the day of the fight.
