MONROE — Derek Hammer, in jail on charges thus far unrelated to the disappearance of his former girlfriend, posted $5,000 bond and was released late Monday even as the search for answers goes on.
The news came as a blow to the family and friends of Melissa Trumpy, the 37-year-old mother who has been missing for over a year. Hammer is thought to be among the last people to see Trumpy, who lived in Monticello, alive in October of 2021. They suspect Hammer, who has a lengthy criminal record and has faced serious criminal charges in at least three states, had something to do with it.
“Melissa’s entire family is freaking out,” said Benny Affrunti, the father of two of Trumpy’s young children. “I’m trying not to stress and I don’t want to worry the kids.”
His bond was recently decreased to $15,000 and Hammer had already posted $10,000. It is unclear who posted the remaining $5,000 to free him Monday.
The Hammer case will be handled by a Rock County Judge, as the case moves through the system and the probe continues. The school-age kids are scared of Hammer and have been subpoenaed to testify in some aspect of the case, according to Affrunti.
“The State always hopes that whenever a Defendant is released from custody that they will comply with all of their conditions of release,” said Green County District Attorney Craig Nolen. “Defendants are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law and charges are merely an accusation.”
As conditions of his bond, Hammer can’t consume alcohol or drugs and must not leave Carroll or Stephenson Counties in Illinois. What’s more, Hammer is restricted from travel north of Wis. 11 in Green County, and may only be present in Dane County to have contact with his attorney, according to court records.
Meanwhile, Hammer’s attorneys have sought to have the case moved out of Green County, a petition called “change of venue” that typically uses pre-trial publicity to argue that it would be hard for a defendant to get a fair trial in a given jurisdiction.
A Facebook group also has been created due to interest in the case. It’s a public group with over 2,900 members.
But Nolen has repeatedly argued against such a change in the court record. And so have those close to the case who are growing frustrated with law enforcement on both sides of the border. The change in judges and potentially in court venue makes it harder much for the family, they contend.
“This whole situation has made me completely lose faith law enforcement and the judicial system altogether,” said Affrunti, who added it can be hard to keep up with and attend all of Hammer’s court dates.
Nolen said the case is likely to move forward faster now that the judge situation has been sorted, at least for now. Hammer also faces drug charges in Illinois. Trumpy also has been charged with crimes allegedly committed during her time with Hammer.
“In Mr. Hammer’s case, he requested a substitution of Judge (Faun) Phillipson, who was initially assigned,” said Nolen. “Judge (Duane) Jorgenson, Lafayette County Circuit Court Judge, was then assigned as Judge on Mr. Hammer’s matters. The case was then reassigned by the Chief Judge of the Fifth District to Judge Ashley Morse of Rock County.”
Gov. Tony Evers appointed Morse to the Rock County bench, filling a vacancy created by Judge Daniel T. Dillon’s resignation, effective April 5, 2022. Morse’s term runs through July 31, 2023.
A pre-trail conference before Morse is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on March 7. During the last hearing, video links were used for Hammer and the other parties.
Hammer faces a host of felony charges in Green County and elsewhere, including bail jumping, possession of cocaine with intent to deliver, possession of THC with intent to deliver, maintaining a drug trafficking place, and possession of a firearm as a felon.