Lake Geneva man sentenced to prison in father's death
ELKHORN -- The Lake Geneva man accused of fatally beating his father in a drunken brawl told a judge this morning he hopes spending two years in prison will turn his life around.
“I’ve lost my father and my best friend,” Jacob D. Newer, 27, told the judge. “I loved him.
“I hope to live the life my father would have been proud of,” he said.
Newer, N2020 County H, Lake Geneva, was sentenced in Walworth County Court to two years in prison after pleading guilty to felony second-degree reckless endangerment. He will be on probation for four years following his prison sentence.
His father, David J. Newer, 57, died Feb. 28 from injuries investigators believe were inflicted by Jacob Newer during a fight the two had at the Inn-B-Tween Motel, N1691 County H, outside Pell Lake, according to the criminal complaint.
A plea agreement was made in the case because no one really knows how Newer died that night, Walworth County District Attorney Phil Koss told the judge.
Jacob Newer and his uncle, Frank Newer, were intoxicated and don’t remember the incident, Koss said.
Forensic evidence didn’t tell the story of David Newer’s death, Koss said, and the medical examiner could not determine the cause of his head injuries.
“I don’t think we’ll ever know quite what happened on that evening,” Koss said. “But we certainly have seen the ills of alcohol on good people.”
Jacob Newer’s family is supportive of the plea agreement, he said.
Jul 26, 2008 at 4:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
Anything goes in Walworth County.
Jul 26, 2008 at 9:49 a.m.
Suggest removal
The 4 years probation is what's going to land him in prison for a long long time. There is no way he will last 4 years without getting into trouble again.
Jul 26, 2008 at 9:46 a.m.
Suggest removal
It was a love hate relationship. They showed their love by beating each other up. Get hammered and kick the crap out of each other then kiss and make up and do it all over again. Love is defined in strange ways.
Jul 26, 2008 at 8:59 a.m.
Suggest removal
I understand the hurdles the prosecution faced but this sentence sickens me. Not quite as much as Newer's comments about loving his father, his best friend and living a life his father would be proud of. They make me want to puke. However I have to concede failing to get a conviction and seeing this loser walk would be much worse. It's a tough call I just wish the DA's office had pushed for a longer sentence. Two years just doesn't seem sufficent for this crime.
Also did he receive credit for the time he's already served awaiting trial and will he be eligible for reduced time by behaving himself in prison?
Jul 25, 2008 at 10:25 p.m.
Suggest removal
dub190; I don't disagree with your opinion but Jacob D. Newer has been, "in the system" for 6 years already and many of his past problems have been alcohol related. It's a sad situation.
Jul 25, 2008 at 9:46 p.m.
Suggest removal
"we've certainly seen the ills of alcohol on good people" (!) Are you kidding me? Alcohol may have been a factor, but this guy obviously had some anger issues. I guess I should be happy that the only "ills of alcohol on good people" I've seen are nasty hangovers and some bad dance moves.
Seriously, I am disappointed that, once again, the court system takes this passive stance to an alcohol related death.
Jul 25, 2008 at 4:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
Oh no he didn't! Get him Gfan!
Jul 25, 2008 at 4:34 p.m.
Suggest removal
Did you guys hear about that guy who got STONED and beat his family member to death? No? Wonder why...? What about the guy who was too STONED to remember what he saw happen? How about a guy getting so STONED he falls, hits his head and dies?
Jul 25, 2008 at 4:17 p.m.
Suggest removal
Who wants to bet we will see his name again when he gets out and commits another crime.
Jul 25, 2008 at 4:09 p.m.
Suggest removal
The state clearly accepted this plea instead of taking the risk of an acquittal on difficult-to-prove intentional homicide charges. The outcome now means he will spend time in prison followed by supervision.
.
The judge has nothing to do with it. This was a GUILTY plea, not a bench trial.
Jul 25, 2008 at 4:03 p.m.
Suggest removal
i find it surprising that they were intoxicated by the 'eviler of two evils'.....
Jul 25, 2008 at 3:52 p.m.
Suggest removal
Can't you people read? It says right in this article NO ONE KNOWS HOW HE DIED. That means they don't even know if it was an accident or intentional, or even if anyone else was involved. It also says "two years in prison after pleading guilty to felony second-degree reckless endangerment" not murder.
What would happen if the case went to trial, the guy walks and can never be tried again, because there is no evidence. Maybe even no motive. At least now he's being watched for the next six years, and is in the system.
Jul 25, 2008 at 1:33 p.m.
Suggest removal
I am in agreement with all the comments. What the law basically says is that it is ok to get drunk, kill someone and then plea no memory of the incident and all you will get is 2 years? Wow...I guess all of us should stay on the good side of people. If you rub someone the wrong way, you might end up killed as the penalty is so minimal. Pretty soon, people will just run around killing people for fun!
Jul 25, 2008 at 1:20 p.m.
Suggest removal
WI is such a lawless state! What ever happen to justice? We need to get rid of all the judges we have now and get judges that will do their jobs, some with back bones!
Jul 25, 2008 at 12:48 p.m.
Suggest removal
I know people who have served more prison time for just threatening a person. It is an outrage that he only got 2 years. He took a life. No matter how it happened. It is sad that our judicial system is failing us all. What happens when 2 years pass...he drinks and kills again? Who will be the next victim ?
Jul 25, 2008 at 12:28 p.m.
Suggest removal
2 years for murder, uh, yeah
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.