Jury Delivers Speedy Verdict in Kevin Lychwick’s Murder Trial

[00:00:00] Speaker 1: The appearances are the same, standby counsel is present again in the courtroom. I've been advised that we have a verdict from our jury. We will bring the jury in. Do you have those final questions? Yeah, you don't even have to do 525, is the 522 just the poll? Yeah, please. All right, the jury. Thank you, you may be seated. I have been advised that the jury has a verdict, is that correct? Yes, sir. Is Ms. Morotek the jury foreperson? [00:02:09] Speaker ?: Yes. [00:02:10] Speaker 1: Okay, could you please hand the folder to the bailiff? [00:02:14] Speaker ?: The court will now read the verdict. In the matter of state of Wisconsin versus Kevin Leitchwick, verdict as to count one. [00:02:29] Speaker 1: We, the jury, find the defendant, Kevin W. Leitchwick, guilty of first-degree intentional homicide, as charged in count one of the information. Signed and dated this 11th day of June 2026, and it bears the four person's printed name and signature. The other two verdict forms are left blank. Ladies and gentlemen, I am now going to do a process called polling the jury. It's going to ask each of you individually if these are your verdicts. I'm going to start in the back corner. [00:03:14] Speaker ?: Ma'am, are these your verdicts? [00:03:14] Speaker 1: Yes, sir. Are these your verdicts, sir? [00:03:16] Speaker ?: Yes, Your Honor. [00:03:17] Speaker 1: Are these your verdicts? Yes, Your Honor. Are these your verdicts? Yes, Your Honor. [00:03:21] Speaker ?: Are these your verdicts? Yes, Your Honor. Are these your verdicts? [00:03:23] Speaker 1: Yes, Your Honor. Are these your verdicts? Yes, Your Honor. Are these your verdicts? Yes, Your Honor. Are these your verdicts? Yes, Your Honor. Are these your verdicts? Yes, Your Honor. Are these your verdicts? Yes, Your Honor. Are these your verdicts? Yes, Your Honor. Are these your verdicts? Yes, Your Honor. Are these your verdicts? Yes, Your Honor. Are these your verdicts? [00:03:41] Speaker 2: Yes, Your Honor. [00:03:42] Speaker 1: Are these your verdicts? [00:03:43] Speaker 2: Yes, Your Honor. [00:03:44] Speaker 1: Are these your verdicts? Yes, Your Honor. Are these your verdicts? [00:03:47] Speaker 2: Yes, Your Honor. [00:03:48] Speaker 1: Are these your verdicts? [00:03:49] Speaker 2: Yes, Your Honor. [00:03:50] Speaker 1: Are these your verdicts? [00:03:51] Speaker 2: Yes, Your Honor. [00:03:52] Speaker 1: Are these your verdicts? Yes, Your Honor. Are these your verdicts? Yes, Your Honor. Are these your verdicts? Yes, Your Honor. Are these your verdicts? Yes, Your Honor. Are these your verdicts? [00:04:01] Speaker 2: Yes. [00:04:02] Speaker 1: And are these your verdicts? [00:04:03] Speaker 2: Yes, Your Honor. [00:04:05] Speaker 1: Is the state satisfied with the polling? Yes. Mr. Leitchwick? I don't know what to say at this point. Okay. The court has polled all individual jurors, and all jurors have indicated that these are their verdicts. Members of the jury, with the verdict delivered, your service in this case has concluded. Therefore, you may now freely discuss the matter with any individual of your choosing, and all of my restrictions on such discussions have been removed. However, it's important for you to understand that you are under no obligation to discuss this case, or answer any questions about it, unless I require you at some later date to answer questions about it. This applies to interactions with the parties, their attorneys, the members of the media, any other individuals. Should you choose to discuss the case with others, though, I urge you to approach these conversations with the seriousness that they deserve. I would also recommend that any discussions you engage in are ones that you would feel comfortable having in the company of your fellow jurors, and openly in court under oath. While you have the right to speak freely about this case, it is important to remember that discussions in the jury room were conducted in an environment designed to be open and free from fear of reprisal or criticism. Your fellow jurors shared their opinions fully and candidly and may not want their opinions made public. Therefore, I urge you, when you discuss the case and discuss deliberations, you discuss those from your own viewpoint and not the viewpoints of your fellow jurors. Finally, ladies and gentlemen, I have a couple of matters to still discuss with the parties. It'll take probably about five minutes or so. If any of you have any questions or feedback that you would like to give me, stick around in the jury room and I will come back and do my best to answer those questions if you have any. Otherwise, on behalf of Waukesha County, I extend my deepest gratitude for your service in this case. I recognize that you have devoted considerable time to this case this week, but your contribution is a vital component of our justice system as enshrined in the United States Constitution and our state constitution. So it's my hope that you have found this experience to be rewarding. You are now discharged in this case. Thank you. All rise to the jury. All rise to the jury. Thank you, you may be seated. We are outside the presence of the jury. Attorney Thompson, any motions from the state? [00:06:51] Speaker 2: I would ask that the court enter a judgment of conviction on each count. [00:06:54] Speaker 1: Mr. Leitchwick, are you moving for judgment of acquittal notwithstanding the verdict? Yes. Okay. The court will grant the state's motion and order judgments of conviction as to each count. Mr. Leitchwick, I'll advise you that you are a convicted felon now. And as such, you may not use or possess a firearm for the remainder of your life. You also may not vote until your civil rights have been restored. We will schedule this case for sentencing. Attorney Thompson, do you have a specific length of time in mind as to how far out you want to go for sentencing? [00:07:34] Speaker 2: I am not requesting a PSI in this case, so at the family's wishes, as soon as the court can accommodate, please. [00:07:47] Speaker 1: Mr. Leitchwick, there is a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment on count one. The court does have the ability to determine early release or eligibility for release, I should say. One of the options you can exercise for sentencing is a request for a pre-sentence investigation. The state's not requesting one. I don't particularly need one, I don't think. But if you would like one, we could order a pre-sentence investigation. Otherwise, I could offer a date as early as tomorrow for sentencing. I would like a pre-sentence investigation, Your Honor. Okay. I'll allow for the pre-sentence investigation, so we'll schedule the matter accordingly. That will go out about 60 days, probably. [00:08:56] Speaker 2: Thursday, August 20, at 8:30. That works for the state, thank you. [00:09:42] Speaker 1: August 20, at 8:30, then, the court will order the PSI. The defendant is remanded into custody. And Attorney Galloway is -- the court is relieving you of your standby counsel appointment. Thank you. Anything else from the state at this time? [00:09:58] Speaker 2: No, thank you. [00:09:59] Speaker 1: From the defense? I've learned to appeal, Your Honor. I understand. You will have that right, and I will notify you of your opportunity to appeal after sentencing. We stand adjourned. [00:10:13] Speaker ?: Thank you.