RHNELANDER – Sugar Camp resident Jeffrey M. Liebscher will learn his fate April 20 when he is due to be sentenced following his guilty plea Friday in Oneida County Circuit Court to a single count of felony hit and run involving death.
Judge Patrick O’Melia ordered a presentence investigation, which is to be filed by April 3.
On motion by District Attorney Michael Schiek, the judge dismissed a Class G felony charge of homicide by negligent operation of a motor vehicle. Also dismissed was a charge of driving without insurance. Liebscher remains free on bond.
The Branch 1 courtroom was nearly full with family and friends of both Liebscher and that of 23-year-old Sean J. Holtslander, who was killed when Liebscher’s truck struck his motorcycle at about 10:15 p.m. Aug. 28 of last year on State Highway 17 North, according to authorities. The 53-year-old Liebscher then got into his truck and fled the scene and didn’t contact authorities until more than 11 hours later.
The judge went through a series of questions to determine if Liebscher’s understood the Class D felony charge, which carries a maximum sentence of a $100,000 fine and 25 years in prison, and that the plea was freely given. He then found him guilty.
The April 20 court date begins at 1:30 p.m. Schiek told the court he expects to have 3-4 witnesses, as well as letters on behalf of the victim’s family. The state will be bound by the presentence investigation’s recommendations. As usual in high profile cases, security was beefed up Friday with attendees required by sheriff’s deputies to go through a metal detection station before entering the courtroom.
The defendant’s brother, Brian Liebscher, 55, of Three Lakes, is scheduled to appear in Oneida County Circuit Court on March 12 at 2:30 p.m. to hear motions on a misdemeanor charge of obstructing law enforcement. He allegedly provided false information about his brother’s whereabouts following the accident.
