Final pre-trial delayed again for Wilson

Justice will have to wait a little longer in a circuit court case involving a 65-year-old Pulaski man who is facing a charge of first-degree child sexual assault with a child under age 13, in relation to an incident in the Town of Angelica in July 2022.

Jeffrey Wilson faces up to 60 years in prison if convicted.

Quinn Jolly, Wilson’s attorney, asked for a delay during a final pre-trial hearing Nov. 17, telling Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court Judge Katherine Sloma that he received letters from Wilson’s doctors that need to be reviewed and entered into evidence. Sloma agreed to the request and set a new final pre-trial hearing for 10 a.m. Jan. 10 in Shawano County Courthouse Branch 1.

That prompted an outburst from someone in the gallery, asking, “How many final pre-trials can there be? Isn’t it supposed to be final.”

To that, Sloma replied, “As many as it takes.”

According to court records, Nov. 17 was Wilson’s third final pre-trial hearing, with delays requested each time. The first final pre-trial hearing was May 24, and the second Aug. 25.

Wilson was charged July 26, 2022, in Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court.

According to the criminal complaint, one deputy was notified and met with the victim’s mother, who reported that her 6-year-old daughter had possibly been sexually assaulted. The mother alleged that her daughter had been to a family friend’s house and said that she did not want to go back, because Wilson had touched her “private area.”

The mother also alleged that her daughter had been to Wilson’s residence on numerous occasions, including spending the night. The mother then stated that she did not want to answer any more questions.

In a supplemental report, a deputy reported that after talking with the mother, they learned that Wilson is a family friend and is known to the family as “Grandpa Jeff.”

In a Child Advocacy Center interview July 14, 2022, the victim told the interviewer that she was lying on Wilson’s lap with a blanket on, when Wilson put his hand on the victim’s private area and started to rub.

In a one-party consent phone call between the mother and Wilson on July 22, 2022, Wilson allegedly denied the sexual contact at first. According to the criminal complaint, the conversation went back and forth before the mother allegedly asked for the truth. The criminal complaint states that Wilson took a deep breath and admitted to the sexual contact. He allegedly told the mother that it was the only time it happened.

In an interview with Wilson on July 25, 2022, at his house, a deputy asked Wilson if he knew why the deputy was there to talk about the incident. Wilson allegedly said yes and that he had sexual contact with the victim. When asked why he did it, Wilson responded that he didn’t know why, said the complaint.

lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com