Scorned lover arrested after 2 fatal shootings
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Consumed with jealousy, a Loganville man plotted to kill his ex-girlfriend, gunned down two people and wounded two others before turning himself in, authorities said Friday.
Charles Witzel Jr., 42, was arrested Friday at a Wal-Mart in Dodgeville. He faces charges of first-degree intentional homicide and attempted first-degree homicide in Dane County. More charges are pending in Iowa County.
After learning ex-girlfriend Joan Haglund cheated on him with a friend while they were involved, Witzel shot and killed the friend on Halloween, then shot Haglund’s current boyfriend and his brother late Thursday night, investigators said.
Online court records did not list an attorney for Witzel or note when he might make his initial court appearance.
Witzel and Haglund had been dating for 12 years, according to the Dane County complaint. They broke up about a year ago, but Haglund told detectives Witzel learned from friends only a few months ago that she had been secretly seeing Craig Severson, 45, while involved with Witzel.
Witzel sent Haglund text messages in the last week of October calling her scum and a sneaky liar. One of the abbreviated messages said, “The look on u n craig’s face in gona b priceless.”
Nov 8, 2008 at 10:02 p.m.
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Charles was a loser. It is unfortunate that we didn't have any loser laws that would have applied to him. I feel bad for the families that were affected by this loser. I hope he gets a nice cold lonely cell to live in and think about his actions.
Nov 8, 2008 at 6:38 p.m.
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1 10' rope, one tree. All of Witzel's problems solved.
Nov 8, 2008 at 4:35 p.m.
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Well said, John Doe. While 99% of the population functions quite normally, it's that 1% you gotta watch out for.
Nov 8, 2008 at 3:35 p.m.
Nov 8, 2008 at 8:40 a.m.
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Mr. Witzel has a history of criminal behavior. Carrying a concealed weapon, possession of THC, disorderly conduct and DUI, all since 2005 and all misdemeanors. Plea bargains, perhaps?
Mr. Witzel decided that due to the wrongs he suffered (in his own mind) someone should die (assuming that he actually did these things he's accused of). If there were justice available in this state he should forfeit his own life (if convicted). Instead, the state will house him, feed him, clothe him, exercise him, provide him with medical care and even provide him with entertainment for the next 30 or so years, provided that some other fellow incarcerated reprobate doesn't murder him. Unless he can afford a really good lawyer who is also a good plea bargain negotiator.
Nov 8, 2008 at 12:17 a.m.
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A rational person would not need such an admonition...and an irrational person would not heed such an admonition.
Nov 7, 2008 at 9:22 p.m.
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Hey, if someone doesn't want you...let it go..don't do this kind of thing. PLEASE seek help first.
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