Jackson Vogel is suspected in the Aug. 27, 2024 death of a cellmate at Green Bay Correctional Institution. (Photo source: Wisconsin Department of Corrections)
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Jackson Vogel made his first court appearance Friday on charges he killed his cellmate at the Green Bay Correctional Institution due to race and sexual orientation of the victim, Micah Laureano.
Vogel appeared in court by video from the Green Bay Correctional Institution, apparently with his hands cuffed behind his back.
Although Vogel isn’t scheduled to be released from prison until 2036, a $1 million cash bond was set by Court Commissioner Cynthia Vopal. A preliminary hearing will be held Oct. 3.
According to the criminal complaint, a corrections officer noticed a pink piece of paper covering the window to a cell door. When he asked Vogel to remove it, the officer saw Laureano’s body “hanging from the top bunk with his hands and ankles tied together with orange fabric material.”
Vogel told investigators he bound Laureano’s hands and feet and “then strangled him with his hands to death,” the complaint states.
“Vogel admitted to killing VICTIM because he was “bored” and he “checked all the boxes…Gay…(a racial slur)…” and a “potential child molester.” Vogel stated he always thinks about killing people. Vogel referred to killing VICTIM by saying it created “ecstasy” “strangling someone and then hog tying them like a pig.” Sgt. Raska further reports that he asked Vogel when was the first time he had a thought that he was going to kill VICTIM, or want to kill the VICTIM. Vogel replied “first day I met him” which was a couple days prior,” the complaint states.
The preliminary cause of death was listed as a homicide due to “asphyxia due to ligature strangulation,” according to the autopsy report cited in the complaint.
Inside the cell, police also found a handwritten note which stated “kill all humans” and had derogatory comments based on race and sexual orientation.
The Brown County Sheriff’s Dept. said the two had only shared the same cell for a few hours.
Vogel, 24, is serving a 20-year sentence for attempted homicide in Manitowoc County for stabbing his mother. He arrived at GBCI in June.
Laureano, 19, was sentenced to three years in prison in January on a substantial battery charge from Waukesha County, court records show. After Laureano’s admission into the prison system, he was transferred in to GBCI on April 12, prison records state.
Comments