Man pleads guilty in contract killing case

By TED SULLIVAN Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009

Photo

Joseph Chrislaw Sr. making an appearance for a preliminary hearing in solicitation of murder case at the Rock County Courthouse in Janesville.

JANESVILLE — Janesville City Council member Yuri Rashkin said he is pleased the man accused of hiring a hit man to kill him and his girlfriend pleaded guilty Friday to two charges of soliciting first-degree intentional homicide.

“My reaction is that I see that the justice system works, and life is about moving forward, and that’s what I intend to do,” Rashkin, 33, said.

Joseph R. Chrislaw Sr., 46, of 733 Kellogg Ave., No. 3, Janesville, is accused of trying to hire a man from the Hells Angels motorcycle gang to kill his estranged wife, Inna M. Cheremisina, 34, and Rashkin, according to the criminal complaint.

But the man actually was an undercover Janesville police officer posing as a hit man.

Chrislaw changed his plea in Rock County Court about four months after his arrest in September.

Attorneys on both sides will argue how Chrislaw should be punished at his sentencing hearing Wednesday, April 15, Assistant District Attorney Thomas White said.

The state will ask for prison time, White said.

Chrislaw remains in the Rock County Jail on $30,000 cash bond.

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