WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAU) --
The Merrill woman accused of trying to hire a killer has been found guilty. 33-year-old Jessica Strom was in Marathon County court Friday, where she entered a no-contest plea to a reduced charge of solicitation of homicide.
Special Prosecutor Ralph Uttke says he amended the charge because the proof standard was a little less and the facts of the case fit the charge quite well. Entering into the plea agreement also avoids a jury trial.
Changing the charge also means Strom is no longer facing up to 60 years in prison. Now, the maximum sentence would be 12 and a half years, with 7 and a half in prison followed by extended supervision.
Uttke said this is the first time he’s worked with a victim who is also a lawyer, Merrill attorney John Schellpfeffer. The victim agreed with Uttke that this was the appropriate course of action.
A presentence investigation was ordered by Judge Neal Neilson. A sentencing date will be determined next week.