Jacob Ventura PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WLUK) – Nearly six 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.
Since the last hearing a month ago, Ventura filed a prompt disposition request, which would force a trial before March 23. In the alternative, Ventura asked for the charges to be dismissed since the preliminary hearing has not been held in a timely manner, and he hasn’t been appointed an attorney by the state Public Defender’s Office.
“I feel this is a miscarriage of justice to continue with these proceedings with nothing going on,” Ventura said.
Judge Marc Hammer set a tentative trial date of March 7 but only if Ventura has an attorney.
The state public defender’s has more than 200 pending cases without attorneys assigned to them, causing repeated delays.
Two others are also charged in the case. Gustavo Cantu has a plea hearing scheduled for Jan. 30. Alejandro Cantu has a status conference Jan. 3. Both also face intentional homicide charges.
Comments