Not guilty pleas have been entered on charges of attempted murder for the defendant in the latest case of drunken violence on the Sugar River near Albany.
The incident in a remote area there May 30 was the result of a very large fight, police said, in which a man trying to break up the fight was nearly choked to death and drowned. Not guilty pleas were entered June 11 for Brett P. Lux, 19, of Janesville, who faces felony attempted murder and other charges in Green County Circuit Court.
“The Sugar River in between Albany and Brodhead has been utilized for several years for recreation to float down river on inflatable tubes,” Sheriff Cody Kanable said in a statement. “Certain individuals use the time to float down the river to over consume alcohol, use illicit narcotics and assault individuals. The Sheriff’s Office has taken a firm zero tolerance for violence in the community and will focus patrols to change behavior on the Sugar River.”
Earlier this month, published reports said that as of the first weekend in June, Green County deputies had already responded to five incidents on the river near Albany so far this year, including two fights — an earlier start to the season than usual, according to Kanable.
According to reports and statements, the latest violence was reported at about 3:35 p.m. on Saturday, May 30 — about two hours into the group’s river trip, near a popular sandbar area where many people were drunk. A criminal complaint in the case alleges a disturbing confrontation that quickly spiraled out of control.
The victim was attacked from behind and placed in a choke-hold after he moved to break up a gathering of other revelers that had already started to turn violent, according to the sheriff’s office statement.
The victim further explained to police that “it was not clear to him of what the argument/fight was about but he did recall interjecting himself into it, physically pushing individuals to break up the argument/fight.”
Nonetheless, investigators allege the victim did remember being choked, held underwater, and not able to breath.
“I was like holy sh**, this is it,” the victim said, in a criminal complaint. “I am going to die!”
Then the victim said he remembered people pulling on his arms to pull him out of the water onto the sand; and then having someone “pump on his chest with their hand.”
The victim also described going in and out of consciousness multiple times before meeting with EMS and law enforcement. He further told police, according to the complaint, that “he drank more alcohol than he had ever drank before and isn’t really sure exactly how everything started.”
The complaint also said that in a means to “evade Law Enforcement contact, due to the underage consumption of alcohol, (the victim) was placed back onto his tube and the group continued floating for approximately 10-15 minutes before (the victim) came in contact with EMS Personnel and Law Enforcement. It was reported that during these 10-15 minutes, (the victim) continued to lose consciousness and regain it on multiple occasions, in what was further estimated to be approximately 15 times.”
Meanwhile, Lux’ next court appearance in another pending case is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. on August 14 in Walworth County Circuit Court, where he is charged with felony burglary with an armed/dangerous weapon (party to a crime); and misdemeanor theft.
Court records show bond was set for Lux at $100,000. He appeared remotely for his Walworth County case from Green County jail on June 18, where the defendant remains in custody, records indicate.
On his newest charges from the Sugar River incident, Lux next pre-trial hearing in circuit court is scheduled for August 4.