Aaron Walton and Joseph Poore appear in Brown County court, June 6, 2024. (Photo courtesy: Brown County court/Zoom)
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Joseph Poore was sentenced Friday to 30 years in prison for his role in the drug-deal-related murder of Robert Marshall.
Poore, 40, previously pleaded no contest to first-degree reckless homicide for the June, 3, 2024, death on Green Bay’s east side.
He was also placed on extended supervision for 10 years by Judge John Zakowski.
Before the sentence was issued, Poore described his history of addiction, starting at age 12, his criminal history and his periods of sobriety and work success.
“I’m not playing victim here, justifying or making excuses. I accept full responsibility for my actions. I just wanted to stress just how serious my struggles with addiction have been,” Poore said.
The argument about drugs and money owed got out of hand when Poore stabbed Marshall.
“I acted out of fear. I acted on impulse. There was no intent involved, and I didn’t think there would even be a physical altercation. I am deeply ashamed and regretful over this. And to all of Mr. Marshall’s family and loved ones, I am truly sorry,” Poore said.
This case is representative of a larger societal problem, Judge Zakowski said.
“Our community has to be protected against people who are using drugs. I am sick of it. This is all about drugs. Drugs, drugs and more drugs. And this is what happens. I’ve seen it over and over again. And we can’t tolerate that,” the judge said.
The state and defense jointly recommended a 24-year prison term.
Co-defendant Aaron Walton is scheduled to enter a plea Sept. 10 for his role in the murder.
The murder was a dispute about drugs, according to authorities. According to the criminal complaint, Marshall was beaten and stabbed in a vehicle on Green Bay’s east side. Poore and Walton then took off in the vehicle and left Marshall, who was found dead at the scene.
Walton admitted the two planned to “take money (expletive) back from him” because Marshall owed Walton money.
Marshall was injured when he told him to leave the vehicle. When a detective asked why Poore did it, Walton answered that Poore is “nuts.”
The criminal complaint did not include a statement from Poore.
A knife believed to have been used in the stabbing was found near the Mason Street bridge in Green Bay. Poore and Walton were arrested near Peshtigo.
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