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Charges against Brodhead man dismissed

MONROE — Charges of abuse against a Brodhead man convicted in January of first-degree reckless homicide in the death of his 2-month-old son were dismissed Wednesday.

Casey J. Shelton, 33, faced two counts of child abuse and up to eight years in prison and up to eight years probation, if convicted.

The charges related to alleged incidents of abuse against 2-month-old twins Christopher and Charles prior to Christopher’s death Feb. 28, 2007, at a Decatur Township residence.

A weeklong jury trial for the case was scheduled to begin Nov. 30 before Green County Circuit Court Judge James Beer.

Green County Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey Kohl said he decided to ask the court to dismiss the charges after he consulted with the victims’ family.

“The family has stabilized their lives and has tried to move on,” Kohl said.

The children’s mother, Amy Uptegraw, “thought it was better to leave things as they are and move on,” he said.

Kohl told Beer the prosecution thought it could win the case against Shelton if it went to a jury trial, but out of consideration for the family he wanted the court to dismiss the charges.

“Given the fact the defendant is now serving 40 years in prison, we feel the public is protected,” Kohl said.

After the hearing, Kohl said the fact Shelton was sentenced to the maximum prison term in January also impacted his decision.

Shelton was sentenced to 40 years in prison and 20 years probation after a weeklong jury trial in January.

Kohl said the maximum sentence Shelton could have received if convicted in the abuse case was eight additional years in prison.

“We decided not to push it any further,” Kohl said.

Shelton remains in prison at Dodge Correctional Institution in Waupun.