Michael Putala appears in Brown County court via video conference July 28, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A reckless homicide charge was filed Friday in connection with a July 14 east-side shooting, after prosecutors considered not filing charges in the case due to self-defense.
Michael Putala, 23, faces three counts in all, including two counts of recklessly endangering safety for the Cass Street incident. Despite a prosecution request for an increase, bond remains at $50,000 cash. A preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 4.
The victim is identified in the criminal complaint as CP-C. A statement read on behalf of his mother identified the victim as Carlos.
At a July 17 court appearance, Deputy District Attorney Dana Johnson said the state was weighing not filing charges because of possible self-defense claims. In court Friday, Johnson said Putala’s version does not match the video evidence.
“Mr. Putala gave a version we believe the video shows is not correct. Mr. Putala’s version is basically, he’s being chased, he’s a front seat passenger, and the other vehicle that has the victim in it came up along side of him and he sees a gun. I’ve had law enforcement watch the video, I’ve watched it. It wasn’t just ‘pulled along side him and he saw the gun.’ It was back behind. It was near the front bumper of the white Charger, was near the back bumper when the hand started coming out with the gun it. So, it wasn’t as Mr. Putala said,” Johnson said.
Defense attorney Jevon Jaconi said the self-defense claim would be pursued “vigorously.”
According to the criminal complaint, Putala told police the incident started with the eventual victim throwing a drink at a woman. Putala said he received messages that the victim and his friends would be heading to Putala’s parents’ house. When Putala arrived, he saw others there, and left the scene.
“Putala told me that the white car was chasing them, and they could not get away from the vehicle. Putala said that as they were driving south DG and Putala started to slow and hit the brakes as the white car pulled started to pull up next to them hoping that they would pass them.
Putala told me that he thought the white car was going to hit them. Putala said that as they started to stop/slow the white car pulled up right next to them and started to stop and he saw a gun in the white car on the driver’s side.
Putala told me that it was a blur, but he believes that the person with the gun was in the back seat of the driver’s side. Putala said that the gun was pointed at him, but he could not give a description of what kind of gun it was that was being pointed at him.
Putala said that after he saw the gun being pointed at him that he shot right away. Putala said that the gun used in the shooting is his gun that is under his name and that he legally owns. Putala told me that the gun he owns is a Glock 45 9mm and his attorney indicated that they would make arrangements to surrender the firearm to me later. Putala told me that he fired two shots when he shot,” the complaint states.
Police reviewed video from a camera inside one of the vehicles.
“In the video that I observed it was apparent that UC-R was chasing the Jeep at a high rate of speed. As the Jeep slowed and their vehicle passed an arm could be seen extended with a gun in a hand. You could hear two shots ring out and then almost immediately you could hear CP-C in obvious pain telling the other occupants he had been shot,” the complaint states.
The victim suffered a gunshot wound to the chest.
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