Dontreace Saulsberry appears in court via video conference from the Brown County jail April 29, 2022. (Image courtesy Brown County courts/Zoom)
GREEN BAY, WI (WTA-WLUK) — Nearly nine years after Dontreace Saulsberry allegedly provided the drugs which later killed a pregnant woman, the case appears headed for a resolution this spring — either through a plea deal or a trial.
Saulsberry, 46, is charged with first-degree reckless homicide-drug delivery, first-degree reckless homicide of an unborn child and heroin delivery in connection with the June 2017 death of Jennifer Skeen.
Saulsberry allegedly provided the drugs to Cassie Nygren and Shawn Gray, who in turn, provided them to Skeen. According to autopsy results, Skeen was about 30 weeks pregnant and had more than three times a lethal dose of fentanyl in her system.
Gray was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison, while Nygren was sentenced to 13 years in prison for their roles in the case. Nygren’s father, former state Rep. John Nygren, often cited his daughter’s drug issues while sponsoring a variety of legislation on opioid and addiction issues.
Meanwhile, Saulsberry’s case has dragged on for multiple reasons. He had been scheduled to stand trial on four previous dates in October 2022, April 2023, December 2023 and January 2025.
The case is currently set for trial April 28, but in court Friday, the attorneys for both sides said they are working on a plea deal which could avoid the need for that trial.
Deputy District Attorney Wendy Lemkuil said the parties “are working diligently” on a possible resolution, which could include a joint recommendation to the court. Defense attorney Shane Brabazon said he “remains hopeful” a deal can be reached.
The parties return to court next month for a status conference.
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