Probable cause found in alleged homicide case

Probable cause was found in a case relating to an alleged first-degree intentional homicide in the Town of Wescott on June 25.

With Attorney Christopher Froelich representing him, Michael E. Ingold, 58, Shawano, appeared in court Dec. 8 for a preliminary hearing. Shawano County Sheriff’s Department Detective Chris Gamm testified giving details of his investigation.

“I received an email from our patrol lieutenant to review the complaint,” said Gamm. “There was a death investigation at W5005 Pioneer Drive in the Town of Wescott where a female had passed away. We talked to the only other person at the residence, which is the defendant. The lieutenant was questioning the case and said that we should take a look at it, because of the prior domestic violence history between the parties.”

According to online court records, Ingold was charged with one count of second-degree recklessly endangering safety, one count of strangulation and suffocation, one misdemeanor count of battery and one misdemeanor of operating a firearm while intoxicated on July 1, 2020, in Waukesha County. Those charges were eventually dismissed on court’s own motion.

In response to questions from District Attorney Greg Parker, who was representing the state, Gamm relayed information from an officer who spoke with Ingold at the scene, saying that Ingold allegedly came home from work, took a shower and sat down to watch television with the victim. From there Gamm said that Ingold claimed he woke up at 2:30 a.m. and saw the victim awake in the kitchen, getting a beer, which Gamm said Ingold thought was odd. Gamm said Ingold stated that he woke up again around 4 a.m. and found the victim deceased. He went on to say that a 911 call was made from a neighbor, who entered the house with Ingold, after Ingold had asked the neighbor for assistance, and saw the victim.

“They saw the victim in the bedroom and the neighbor tried to wake her up, but the defendant said not to touch her,” said Gamm. “At that point the neighbor called 911. There was no one else in the home.”

Gamm said that the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department received the autopsy report that showed that death was caused in a manner similar to manual strangulation. He said that during a conversation with Ingold on July 27, Ingold’s story matched what he had initially told law enforcement. Also during this conversation Gamm told Ingold the autopsy finding of manual strangulation, and in response Gamm said Ingold denied touching the victim.

“At that point he was placed under arrest and mirandized,” said Gamm.

After answering Parker’s questions, Froelich got his turn, first clarifying the information that Gamm reported. From there, Froelich asked Gamm more about the information regarding the autopsy report, asking if there were any drugs or alcohol in the victim’s system. Gamm responded by saying she had a blood alcohol level of 0.14 percent and that there were no drugs in her system.

“There were no listed drugs — I know she had a plethora of medications that were prescribed to her. I am not sure exactly what she was taking at the time,” said Gamm. “We verified with the medical examiner that those did not affect her death.”

Froelich questioned Gamm on his testimony, asking if Ingold indicated a timeline of events of the night when the two parties met on July 27. Gamm confirmed that Ingold provided a timeline of events. Froelich asked Gamm if Ingold was emotional or if he was crying when looking for help from neighbors on the night of the alleged homicide, to which Gamm said that he was. Froelich then asked Gamm about Ingold’s relationship with the victim’s brother. Gamm explained that Ingold was upset with the victim’s brother and said that he was going to kill them.

On redirect Parker asked if there is anything to suggest that the victim caused her own death, to which Gamm replied that it is not possible to choke yourself without an added apparatus. Froelich recrossed, clarifying that Ingold said he did not touch the victim. Gamm confirmed Froelich’s question.

Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court Judge William F. Kussel Jr. found probable cause and Ingold was bound over. Kussel scheduled an arraignment for 1:30 p.m. Jan. 18.

lreimer@newmedia-wi.com