John C. Andrews PC: Fox 11 Online
CHILTON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – John Andrews pleaded not guilty Thursday for allegedly lying about the whereabouts of the remains of Starkie Swenson.
Starkie Swenson was killed in 1983. Andrews was convicted in 1994 of homicide by negligent use of a vehicle. Swenson’s remains were found in September 2021 by hikers at High Cliff State Park, prompting the charge of hiding a corpse against Andrews. In July, a judge ruled Andrews’ actions and statements to police did not meet the statutory definition for the hiding a corpse charge, so he dismissed it.
However, based on that ruling, prosecutors filed a misdemeanor charge of obstruction against Andrews for allegedly lying to police in June 2021, when police were searching for Swenson’s remains in the Omro area — months before they were found in Calumet County.
In court Thursday, Andrews was ordered not to have any contact with the Swenson family or High Cliff State Park. He was released on a $500 signature bond, and returns to court Feb. 16 for a scheduling conference, court records show.
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