Woman to stand trial in homicide case stemming from drug overdose
Photo 
Bobbie Jean Joecks
ELKHORN — A former East Troy woman charged with first-degree reckless homicide in the death of a man who fatally overdosed on methadone will stand trial in October.
Bobbie Jean Joecks, 37, is accused of providing the methadone that killed Jason R. Bodart, 32, on March 26, 2006, according to the criminal complaint.
Attorneys on both sides agreed to begin her three-day jury trial Oct. 6.
Joecks’ attorney, Joshua Klaff, asked the judge to set a status hearing before the trial. The hearing will be Sept. 5.
Joecks appeared in Walworth County Court Wednesday by telephone from Taycheedah Correctional Institution, a women’s prison in Fond du Lac.
She is serving a one-year prison sentence after violating the probation on her 2007 conviction in Waukesha County for obtaining a controlled substance by fraud.
According to the complaint in the reckless homicide case, a surveillance video from Double D's Tavern in East Troy Township showed Joecks placing a large pill in front of Bodart, who swallowed it with a drink.
A witness confirmed what the camera captured, the complaint stated.
The witness told investigators Joecks offered both he and Bodart methadone, a drug often used to treat heroin addiction, according to the complaint.
The witness refused, but Bodart consumed the pill, the complaint states.
Joecks told Bodart that she usually breaks the pills into quarters and that "she couldn't believe Bodart took the whole thing," according to the complaint.
Bodart died in his East Troy Township home of respiratory failure, according to the complaint.
An autopsy revealed that Bodart had a toxic level of methadone in his body.
Joecks denied giving methadone to Bodart, according to the complaint.
She also said she never saw Bodart take methadone, the complaint states.
Prosecutors are allowed to charge reckless homicide against people suspected of providing drugs that cause death by overdose.
A $50,000 bail has been set in Joecks’ case.
She also is charged with felony bail jumping.
Jul 18, 2008 at 1:35 p.m.
Suggest removal
well its good to see that the walworth county D.A. has the good sense to prosecute these cases unlike the rock county D.A. who doesent have the guts and knows these things are going on in rock county and just wont do it because it will not land him on T.V or with a big promotion. in my opinion he is a coward and as long as he is in office I wont feel safe! He has even had witnesses to these crimes and ignores them! what a schmuck!
Jul 17, 2008 at 11:21 p.m.
Suggest removal
Methadone is the #2 killer drug in US, killing more then heroin and only 2nd to cocaine.
Methadone kills when abused, misued or taken EXACTLY as prescribed!!!
www.harmd.org
Helping America Reduce Methadone Deaths
Jul 17, 2008 at 7:41 p.m.
Suggest removal
Did she shove the pill down his throat? How can a guy driving a car drunk get one year in jail and this woman is looking at serious time and she didn't force the man to take the pill. I'm sure this guy took pills before and never had a problem.
Jul 17, 2008 at 7:24 p.m.
Suggest removal
There is not a look of remorse on her face, she doesn't care what she did.
Jul 17, 2008 at 12:30 p.m.
Suggest removal
Is methadone a prescribed substance? If so, then the person who obtains the prescription is accountable right? As far as the law is concerned she is guilty of that. Was he a dumbass for taking the pill? Sure he was but she gave him the pill.
Why is she trying to get out of something that is clearly on camera?
Jul 17, 2008 at 11:50 a.m.
Suggest removal
I don't think she should be prosecuted. Where is the personal responsibility for the drug user? Why are we always blaming other people for people's own actions?
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.