MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A convicted murderer will have a new sentencing hearing, but his attempt to withdraw his plea in the case was denied Tuesday by the state appeals court.
Jeffrey Wickman was sentenced 36 years in prison for the murder of Daniel Kuehl. Police said Wickman broke into Ashland Avenue home in May 2013, looking to steal guns to trade for cash or drugs, and eventually strangled Kuehl. Officers recovered a stolen gun, leading to Wickman’s arrest.
Wickman pled no contest to a reduced homicide charge of felony murder. He later won an appeal, saying he didn’t understand the elements of the various charges, and was granted a chance to challenge the plea and sentence. Wickman failed to filed the appropriate motions within the time allowed, however. More than four years later, he appealed again.
In Tuesday’s ruling, the state appeals court rejected his arguments about the plea hearing – leaving his conviction intact.
However, the court accepted Wickman’s argument that part of his sentence – nine years of extended supervision for being a repeat offender – was too long under the law. The maximum that portion of the sentence allowed would be 7.5 years, so the appeals court sent the case back to the circuit court for a re-sentencing.
That hearing has not been scheduled.
The initial 36-year prison term is unaffected by Tuesday’s ruling.
