Michael Putala mugshot. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Michael Putala was sentenced Wednesday to five years in prison for a 2023 fatal shooting on the east side.
Putala, 25, was previously convicted of second-degree reckless homicide for the death of Carlos Ponce, despite objections from the victim’s family that the plea deal resulted in a charge that wasn’t strong enough. Putala was originally charged with first-degree reckless homicide, but, acknowledging the self-defense elements in the case, that was reduced as part of the plea deal.
He was also placed on extended supervision for seven years by Judge Thomas Walsh.
Before the sentence was issued, Ponce’s brother, who was not identified by name, called Putala a spineless, cowardly murderer.
“My family is now broken in ways I can’t describe. Holidays are quiet now. Birthdays are silent. Family gatherings feel incomplete. There is no more phone calls, no more joking around, no more texts checking up on me. Just silence, pain and numbness,” he said.
Putala made a short statement.
“I would like to apologize to the Ponce family for all of the pain and hurt I’ve caused. And I hope you guys can find forgiveness for me, and hope one day you guys can find peace. And thank you to all my friends and family for supporting me throughout this whole thing,” he said.
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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