Charges filed after accidental shooting

Bond was set at $10,000 cash for Christopher G. Halase, 29, Baraboo, after he was formally charged Aug. 26 in connection with the shooting death of his sister.

Halase is charged in Oconto County Circuit Court with second-degree reckless homicide and homicide by negligent use of a dangerous weapon, both felonies, and a misdemeanor count of operating a firearm with a controlled substance.

Judge Michael T. Judge adjourned Halase’s initial appearance until Sept. 17 and ruled that any firearms be removed from his residence if he makes bail.

Ashley Halase, 31, of Reedburg, died Aug. 21 after her brother, Christopher, reportedly pointed a gun at her and it discharged as she sat talking on a bed in their mother’s home near Mountain.

The criminal complaint said all witnesses confirmed there were no disagreements or arguments before the incident, which appears to be accidental.

Judge granted a motion to seal the “probable cause document” used to take Christopher Halase into custody because it contains the victim’s name, which is listed only as “AH” in the criminal complaint.

District Attorney Edward D. Burke Jr. said authorities cannot release the woman’s name because of Marsy’s Law, the state constitutional amendment that was passed in an April referendum to expand crime victims’ rights.

The law refers to crime victims’ right to privacy, which is being interpreted in this case to include a victim’s name. NEW Media determined Ashley Halase’s name via other sources.