A Green Bay man who killed two women while out on bail from an Oconto County stalking case was found guilty of two counts of first-degree intentional homicide March 11.
A Brown County jury deliberated for about an hour before returning guilty verdicts against Richard W. Sotka, 49. The defense did not contest that Sotka killed Rhonda Cegelski and Paula O’Connor but asked jurors to consider finding him guilty of reckless homicide rather than the more serious crime of intentional homicide.
The murders occurred while Sotka was out on bail, having posted $10,750 cash while he awaited trial on charges of stalking and misdemeanor counts of bail jumping and disorderly conduct, in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred Sept. 1, 2021, and an alleged Oct. 31, 2021, restraining order violation.
On Jan. 29, 2023, Sotka stabbed Cegelski, 53, and O’Connor, 58, to death. He was arrested in Arkansas the day after the murders, having cut off and discarded an ankle bracelet he was ordered to wear while out on bail in the Oconto County case.
Sotka faces a mandatory two life sentences, and Brown County Circuit Court Judge Beau Liegeois must determine whether he will ever be eligible for release on parole or extended supervision. The judge scheduled sentencing for May 20 and ordered a pre-sentence investigation.
Sotka found guilty in double homicide
