Last Updated: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 9:01 AM CDT
Defense seeks suppression of Decker’s statements
By Daily News Staff
A judge is expected to issue a ruling in October on a motion to suppress evidence in the case of a Rhinelander teen accused of attempting to cover up her boyfriend’s alleged role in a Tomahawk homicide.
Katie Decker, 17, is charged with a single felony count of harboring or aiding a felon. She is accused of hiding bloody clothes allegedly worn by her then boyfriend, Seth Louis, when he allegedly stabbed Tracy Maurer to death.
Maurer, 42, Louis’ co-worker at the Rhinelander Taco John’s restaurant, was found dead in her home at 211 W. Merrill Avenue in Tomahawk on April 6, 2007.
Louis, 24, of Rhinelander, has been charged with first degree intentional homicide (as party to the crime) in connection with Maurer’s death.
The defense claims Decker’s statements to police should be suppressed because they were not voluntary.
See Decker, Page 3A
Judge Neal A. “Chip” Nielsen had intended to rule on the motion Tuesday but a new recording of Decker talking to police in a squad car has surfaced since Nielsen first held a hearing on the motion in April.
“It seems as though I may not have gotten the whole story. There may be a little bit more to learn here,” Nielsen said.
According to Oneida County Assistant District Attorney Ruth Kressel and defense counsel Wright Laufenberg, the squad car recording lasts less than three minutes.
Nielsen said he would review the tape, and possible rewatch the DVD of Decker’s formal interview with the police, before issuing a ruling. He scheduled Decker’s next court appearance for Oct. 9.
Decker is free on a $5,000 surety bond. She is also prohibited from having any contact with Louis, who is being held in the Lincoln County jail on $500,000 cash bond.
Louis is scheduled for trial Nov. 12.
Decker, who entered a not guilty plea in December, faces a maximum of three years and six months in prison if convicted.
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