Annaka Winter Trudell (Photo courtesy of Fond du Lac Police)
FOND DU LAC (WTAQ-WLUK) – Annaka Trudell was convicted Friday for the stabbing death of Ashley Calo during an argument about a drug deal.
Trudell, 21, pleaded no contest to first-degree reckless homicide and conspiracy to commit armed robbery for the Feb. 14, 2024, incident. No sentencing date was set, but there is a status conference July 25, according to a court official.
The reduction of the homicide count changes the potential sentence from a mandatory life prison term to a maximum of 60 years in prison system, with initial confinement and extended supervision combined.
The deal avoids a trial, which had been scheduled to start May 19.
Also charged in the case is Dawson Miller, who faces felony murder, armed robbery, and other counts. His trial is set for Oct. 6.
Calo, 33, was found dead inside a car after crashing near W. Follett and N. Main streets. There was also a 3-year-old child in the vehicle. Initially, the call was for “someone overdosing” but then it was discovered she had been stabbed in the chest, the complaint states.
According to the criminal complaint, police determined Trudell and Miller had made arrangements to buy drugs from Calo, but planned to rob her instead.
Miller told Trudell to take a knife to the deal for her protection, so she did. Then, when Trudell returned to Miller shortly after stabbing (Calo), Miller assisted Trudell in fleeing from Fond du Lac and avoiding detection. The planning of the theft, the stabbing, and most of the post-stabbing conduct of fleeing and avoiding detection occurred on February 13 and 14, 2024,” the complaint states.
A witness said Calo had blue fentanyl pills to sell.
“Trudell said the deal was to be for the purchase of 57 Percocet pills “percs” for $250, but she planned on taking the pills without paying. Trudell said though that the girl tried to rip her and Miller off,” the complaint states. “When Det. Hahn told Trudell that (Calo) is dead, Trudell responded by sobbing and saying, “I didn’t mean to do that” or, “I didn’t mean to kill her.” She further said, “I didn’t want that to happen.”
The witness watched the argument in a fast-food parking lot, and saw Trudell attack Calo. Calo then drove off, “but it seemed to him like she didn’t even know she was stabbed,” the complaint states.
In one of his interviews with police, Miller minimized his role in the deal.
Miller says he didn’t think Trudell was going to rob Victim. Miller than admits that Trudell told him she was going to get the pills, that he didn’t it was a good idea because it seemed like a setup. He didn’t know Trudell was going to kill anyone. Miller says he thought Trudell had the money and was just going to buy the pills. Miller said the Trudell was high and he thinks it is all a mistake. Miller denied telling Trudell to take a knife. Miller admitted that he knew Trudell was meeting up with Victim and Witness 1 for a drug deal, to buy drugs. Miller admits that he told Trudell to bring something for her protection, but he didn’t think he said anything about knives. He never intended for Trudell to rob or kill Victim,” the complaint states.
According to the autopsy, Calo was stabbed at least twice, including one which went through the lung and heart.
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