Jeffrey Morris appears in Brown County court via video conference Aug. 1, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — An alleged bank robber has been ordered to stand trial.
Jeffrey Morris, 55, appeared in court Friday. He allegedly robbed the Associated Bank in downtown Green Bay on July 28, leaving the scene with $2,500 after handing the teller a note which said “100s, 50s and 20s,” and then saying “I want it all now,” to the teller. He was arrested a short time later, with the cash.
Originally, prosecutors charged Morris with one count of robbery of a financial institution. But a court commissioner dismissed the charge, noting the statue defines the crime as “by use of force or threat of imminent force take from an individual or the presence of an individual money that is under the custody or control of a financial institution” but there were no allegations Morris used or threatened any force.
Prosecutors re-filed the same charge with the same information. A judge then signed an arrest warrant, prompting a second court appearance. A different court commissioner declined to address the challenge to the charge, deferring to the warrant signed by a judge. That sent the case to a judge for a hearing Thursday.
At that hearing, Judge John Zakowski ruled in favor of the state, allowing the charge to stand. He agreed with Herman there was no actual threat, although the use of the word “now” implies an immediate action and consequence.
After testimony from a Green Bay police detective Friday, Court Commissioner Cynthia Vopal ruled there was enough evidence to send Morris to trial in the case.
Morris is due back in court Aug. 24 to enter a plea.
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