Wausau Man Enters Plea for Homicide Before Jury Trial Begins

Monday, April 15th, 2024 -- 5:01 PM

(Mike Leischner, WSAU) A Wausau man suspected of shooting another man has pled guilty to homicide to avoid a two-week jury trial that would have started on Monday.

According to Mike Leischner with WSAU, Michael Turner entered the plea on Friday during a last-minute hearing. The guilty plea also extended to one count for being a felon in possession of a firearm. A count of battery by prisoners was then dismissed but read into the record.

Turner, who turns 48 later this month, will face a mandatory life sentence on May 28th with only the possibility of parole up for discussion. He also pled guilty earlier this week to drug-related charges stemming from the incident.

The shooting happened in May of 2021 when Turner approached the 45-year-old victim as he was sitting in a vehicle near Thomas Street. He shot the man, then fled. The victim was able to go to a nearby business for help and was hospitalized.

He died a few weeks later, but not before he was able to identify Turner as the suspect. Turner left Wausau but law enforcement was able to catch up to him in Marquette County. He was arrested and brought back to Wausau without incident.

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