Eric Rogers PC: Fox 11 Online
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Eric Rogers has pleaded not guilty to charges he killed another man at what police say is a known drug house.
Rogers, 53, is accused of shooting Eric Hudson, 31, last Nov. 15. Rogers has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide, robbery, taking a vehicle without owner’s consent and bail jumping.
According to the criminal complaint, Hudson’s girlfriend said Hudson left their apartment early in the morning on Nov. 15 to play cards. He left in a silver Buick, which he was borrowing from someone else. His girlfriend said Hudson did not return home that morning. Just before noon, she said people arrived at her house, telling her that Hudson had been shot by Rogers.
Rogers was arrested two days later in Green Bay. After being arrested, Rogers said the Summer Street home was used to sell prescription pills, meth and cocaine. He said Hudson would pay him with cocaine to use the house, which was often used for sex and selling drugs.
Rogers said that he owed Hudson money, so he went to an Appleton gas station to sell food stamps to pay him back. But he says he ended up using the money to get high after a friend drove him to Green Bay. But police say he returned to the Summer Street house instead.
According to the criminal complaint, Rogers said that when he left the Summer Street house, Hudson, who he said was “a good friend of his,” was asleep.
Rogers said he did not take the Buick and did not know how Hudson had been killed — police said they never said that Hudson had been killed, just that he was dead.
The criminal complaint does not provide any direct evidence tying Rogers to the shooting but explains that his DNA was found on the key and steering wheel of the Buick, which Rogers denies driving.
If convicted on the homicide charge, Rogers will face life in prison. If convicted of the other charges, Rogers could also face fines of over $100,000 and an additional 30-year sentence.
Rogers is due back in court May 31.
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