GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Nearly five months after he was charged in connection with a west-side murder, Jacob Ventura still does not have an attorney and a preliminary hearing has not been held – something usually required within 10 days.
Ventura, 35, is charged with being party to the crime of first-degree intentional homicide for the April 30 shooting death of Randall Denny at Perkins and Western avenues. He is being held on a $1 million cash bond, in addition to being housed at the Waupun Correctional Institution on unrelated drug charges.
In court Monday, Ventura asked for the case to be dismissed, arguing going more than four months without a preliminary hearing violates his due process rights. He also asked Judge Marc Hammer to appoint an attorney for him. The judge declined to do that, because it would make Brown County responsible for the cost, when Ventura is eligible for an attorney through the state public defender office.
“At what point does this become a major problem?” Ventura asked.
“It’s a major problem right now, Mr. Ventura. You’ve been sitting and waiting for counsel for a significant period of time. The victims want to get this case moving forward, as well. The court does not want this matter to be sitting there without resolution. It’s a problem right now,” Judge Hammer said.
A status conference is scheduled for Dec. 28, although if an attorney is appointed, the preliminary hearing could happen sooner.
The state public defender’s has more than 200 pending cases without attorneys assigned to them.
Two others are also charged in the case. Gustavo Cantu has a plea hearing scheduled for Jan. 30. Alejandro Cantu has an arraignment Nov. 21. Both also face intentional homicide charges.
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