STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A trial for a 1975 murder remains on track to be held in January.
Richard Pierce, 84, faces counts of first-degree murder and disinterment of the dead for the death of Carol Jean Pierce. Her body has never been found. He has pleaded not guilty.
One current sticking point: prosecutors have not turned over some of the evidence in the case because the defense has not paid a $4,000 bill for copying fees. The defense attorneys argued access in a conference room isn’t the same as possessing the documents and electronic media – and shouldn’t be denied evidence. Another hearing was set for May 26 to review the matter.
Anticipating that issue gets resolved, however, the judge expressed confidence Tuesday the case will go on as scheduled, with jury selection Dec. 16, and a four-week trial on Jan. 4.
The trial has been postponed twice, once to due to COVID-19 concerns, but the judge was optimistic that situation is getting better.
“Certainly by January of 2022, I’m hopeful that we’ll be in a position where we’ll be able to try this case, as long as it’s going to be in a safe manner that protects the due process rights of all of the parties,” said Judge David Weber.
Pierce was arrested in October 2018 in Michigan, where he lived. Police have extensively searched the property, but have not said if they have found any remains.
The couple was planning to move from Sturgeon Bay to Cheboygan, Michigan, around the time Carol Jean Pierce disappeared, investigators say. Richard Pierce claims his wife left him, but prosecutors say he told different versions of the story to various people.
Prosecutors say Richard Pierce benefited from Carol Jean Pierce’s death with “a pension unencumbered by a wife; most of the important belongings of their marriage; land and a home in Michigan; a new girlfriend weeks after Carol Jean’s disappearance, as well as the benefit of Carol Jean’s silence.”
Police have said there has been no new evidence discovered, but current prosecutors decided to move forward with the charges.
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