Michael Putala mugshot. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The family members of shooting victim are objecting to a possible plea, calling the deal reached by prosecutors and the defense “absurdly lenient.”
Michael Putala, 24, is currently charged with first-degree reckless homicide and two counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety for the July 14, 2023 shooting on Cass Street which killed one man and injured two others.
Court records show a plea deal would have Putala plead to second-degree reckless homicide.
According to the filing by the family of the dead man, identified by his initials C. P.-C., they object to the deal, and asked Judge Thomas Walsh to reject it at Friday’s hearing.
“The victims want Putala to have his day in court (trial) and face the uncomfortable consequences of his actions on July 14, 2023,” wrote attorney Heather Richmond on their behalf. “By allowing the absurdly lenient plea to move forward, justice to all the victims, as well as the community, will essentially be denied.”
Putala’s original charges could result in up to 70 years in prison and 30 years on extended supervision. The plea deal calls for prosecutors to cap their recommendation at five years in prison.
“The idea that someone can fire a gun into an occupied vehicle, in a residential neighborhood, during daylight hours, demonstrates nothing short of utter disregard for human life and the safety of the community as a whole. The precedent that will be set if this plea is allowed to proceed is dangerous and will send a petrifying message to others in the community that gun violence is acceptable and has minimal consequences in this Brown County. The proposed plea deal flies in the face of justice and is contrary to public interest,” the victims’ motion states.
Prosecutors have not responded to the motion.
At an earlier court hearing, prosecutors said self-defense claims were an issue in the case.
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 gun 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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