DARLINGTON - Cash bonds of more than $1 million were set Wednesday for two Argyle brothers accused of plotting a house fire that killed three young boys and severely burned their pregnant mother.
Armin Wand III, 32, allegedly planned and executed the fire with the intent to kill his wife Sharon Wand, 27, and their four children and collect on the life insurance policies. The fire broke out just after 3 a.m. Friday, Sept. 7 in the home the family rented at 402 Oak St. in Argyle.
His brother, Jeremy Wand, 18, is also charged with planning and executing the deadly fire that killed three of the children.
The brothers made their initial appearance Wednesday afternoon in Green County Circuit Court. Judge William Johnston followed the state's recommendation of a $200,000 cash bond per felony charge against the Wands.
Armin Wand III's bond is set at $1.4 million for six Class A felony counts of first-degree intentional homicide and one Class C felony count of arson.
Jeremy Wand's bond is $1.2 million for five Class A felony counts of first-degree intentional homicide and one Class C felony charge of arson.
The first three homicide counts against each brother represent the alleged murder of the three Wand boys who died - Allen, 7, Jeffery, 5, and Joseph, 3. The rest of the homicide charges represent the alleged attempts on the lives of their mother and 2-year-old sister, Jessica.
Wand III faces one more homicide charge than his brother because he reportedly tried twice to kill Jessica, once by setting the fire and again by trying to put her back in the burning house after his wife saved the little girl.
Jessica Wand is staying in foster care in Platteville, according to relatives. Sharon Wand remains in the burn unit at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison and has lost the baby she was carrying.
The brothers admitted and described the details of their arson plot to investigators, according to a detailed criminal complaint filed Tuesday.
They kept their heads down during most of the brief bail hearing. Neither spoke publicly.
The courtroom was mostly empty, besides law enforcement, media and court officials. Nobody from the Wand family appeared to be at the hearing.
Armin Wand III is being represented by Guy Taylor, a public defender based in Monroe. Jeremy Wand's representation is Frank Medina, a Darlington attorney.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13.
After the hearing, Sharon Wand's aunts Liz Berestoff and Lessa Bobak met with media to read a brief statement to thank the community, the hospital and law enforcement.
Voice shaking, Bobak said the family "would like to see justice" for Allen, Jeffery, Joseph and the unborn child Sharon Wand was carrying. Jessica Wand, the 2-year-old, is "safe and well cared for."
"Sharon is having a good day today," Bobak said, her voice breaking.
The family is "just taking everything one day at a time now."
Armin Wand III, 32, allegedly planned and executed the fire with the intent to kill his wife Sharon Wand, 27, and their four children and collect on the life insurance policies. The fire broke out just after 3 a.m. Friday, Sept. 7 in the home the family rented at 402 Oak St. in Argyle.
His brother, Jeremy Wand, 18, is also charged with planning and executing the deadly fire that killed three of the children.
The brothers made their initial appearance Wednesday afternoon in Green County Circuit Court. Judge William Johnston followed the state's recommendation of a $200,000 cash bond per felony charge against the Wands.
Armin Wand III's bond is set at $1.4 million for six Class A felony counts of first-degree intentional homicide and one Class C felony count of arson.
Jeremy Wand's bond is $1.2 million for five Class A felony counts of first-degree intentional homicide and one Class C felony charge of arson.
The first three homicide counts against each brother represent the alleged murder of the three Wand boys who died - Allen, 7, Jeffery, 5, and Joseph, 3. The rest of the homicide charges represent the alleged attempts on the lives of their mother and 2-year-old sister, Jessica.
Wand III faces one more homicide charge than his brother because he reportedly tried twice to kill Jessica, once by setting the fire and again by trying to put her back in the burning house after his wife saved the little girl.
Jessica Wand is staying in foster care in Platteville, according to relatives. Sharon Wand remains in the burn unit at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison and has lost the baby she was carrying.
The brothers admitted and described the details of their arson plot to investigators, according to a detailed criminal complaint filed Tuesday.
They kept their heads down during most of the brief bail hearing. Neither spoke publicly.
The courtroom was mostly empty, besides law enforcement, media and court officials. Nobody from the Wand family appeared to be at the hearing.
Armin Wand III is being represented by Guy Taylor, a public defender based in Monroe. Jeremy Wand's representation is Frank Medina, a Darlington attorney.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13.
After the hearing, Sharon Wand's aunts Liz Berestoff and Lessa Bobak met with media to read a brief statement to thank the community, the hospital and law enforcement.
Voice shaking, Bobak said the family "would like to see justice" for Allen, Jeffery, Joseph and the unborn child Sharon Wand was carrying. Jessica Wand, the 2-year-old, is "safe and well cared for."
"Sharon is having a good day today," Bobak said, her voice breaking.
The family is "just taking everything one day at a time now."