Murder confession from acquitted man

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33959, 27 September 1975, Page 15

Murder confession from acquitted man

(New Zealand Press Association —Copyright)

NEW RICHMOND (Wisconsin), Sept. 26. Wayne Maynard Johnson, aged 28, was being sentenced for striking another man in the face with a hatchet when he looked up at the judge and announced that he had something to say.

“When I was here last time, in a murder trial, and was found not guilty, I actually did it,” Johnson said quietly. His words stunned the St Croix County Judge (Judge Bartholomew) and others present in the court. Two years ago, Johnson had been found not guilty of murder in the slaying of Mr Lynn Schulte, aged 24. Mr Schulte’s body was found in a field near Hager City, and Johnson was arrested while driving Mr Schulte's car. He was acquitted after a trial which lasted seven days. Judge Bartholomew hastened to confer with the court officials, and then looked down at Johnson. "No-one can be tried twice for a crime — the legal concept of double jeopardy places you beyond the reach of justice,” he said.

“I was very surprised by the statements that Johnson made,” Judge Bartholomew said later. “However, after consultations with the district attorney, we felt that we had to do what the law provided for.” He had sentenced Johnson

to three years in the state prison at Waupun for striking the man with a hatchet. That was all he could do.