DARLINGTON - Attorneys for two Argyle brothers accused of setting a deadly house fire requested Tuesday, Nov. 13 that the high-profile case be assigned to a new judge and to a venue outside the Madison media market.
The "intense scrutiny" the case is getting in the area would make it difficult to find an impartial jury, said Guy Taylor, attorney for Armin Wand III, 32. He said after the hearing that he would not disclose his reason for requesting a new judge.
Wand and his 18-year-old brother, Jeremy Wand, waived their right to a preliminary hearing on the multiple homicide charges against them during their joint appearance in Lafayette County Circuit Court.
The brothers are accused of setting a house fire Sept. 7 on Oak Street in Argyle to cash in on the life insurance settlements of the older brother's family. The fire killed Allen, 7, Jeffery, 5, and Joseph "Jo Jo," 3, and severely burned their 27-year-old mother, Sharon Wand. Jessica, 2, survived without major injuries.
Taylor said if the request for a change of venue is granted, he and Frank Medina, attorney for Jeremy Wand, won't have a say where in Wisconsin the case will be moved, only that it be outside the Madison media market.
The court could grant two options, Taylor said. A jury from elsewhere in the state could be brought to Lafayette County, or the case could be brought before a jury in the jury's home county.
Taylor also requested the brothers' cases be severed and heard separately. If the case were to go to trial joined, he said, it could create conflicts.
Judge William Johnston approved the request for a substitution of judge. Green County Circuit Court Thomas Vale was assigned to the cases.
Meanwhile, the state prosecutor is continuing to collect evidence against the brothers, including personal Facebook records for Jeremy Wand for the days immediately before and after the fire. The brothers' credit history is also being sought as evidence.
The "intense scrutiny" the case is getting in the area would make it difficult to find an impartial jury, said Guy Taylor, attorney for Armin Wand III, 32. He said after the hearing that he would not disclose his reason for requesting a new judge.
Wand and his 18-year-old brother, Jeremy Wand, waived their right to a preliminary hearing on the multiple homicide charges against them during their joint appearance in Lafayette County Circuit Court.
The brothers are accused of setting a house fire Sept. 7 on Oak Street in Argyle to cash in on the life insurance settlements of the older brother's family. The fire killed Allen, 7, Jeffery, 5, and Joseph "Jo Jo," 3, and severely burned their 27-year-old mother, Sharon Wand. Jessica, 2, survived without major injuries.
Taylor said if the request for a change of venue is granted, he and Frank Medina, attorney for Jeremy Wand, won't have a say where in Wisconsin the case will be moved, only that it be outside the Madison media market.
The court could grant two options, Taylor said. A jury from elsewhere in the state could be brought to Lafayette County, or the case could be brought before a jury in the jury's home county.
Taylor also requested the brothers' cases be severed and heard separately. If the case were to go to trial joined, he said, it could create conflicts.
Judge William Johnston approved the request for a substitution of judge. Green County Circuit Court Thomas Vale was assigned to the cases.
Meanwhile, the state prosecutor is continuing to collect evidence against the brothers, including personal Facebook records for Jeremy Wand for the days immediately before and after the fire. The brothers' credit history is also being sought as evidence.