Oshkosh man charged in Sheboygan fatal stabbing
SHEBOYGAN (WITI) -- A 22-year-old Oshkosh man is charged with second-degree reckless homicide in the fatal stabbing of Nicholas Lehrke. Michael Lemerande faces up to 25 years in prison and $100,000 in fines if convicted.
Police say Lehrke was stabbed during an altercation with Lemerande on Saturday, January 19th. It happened on S. 12th St. When police arrived on the scene, they found Lehrke stabbed in the back. He was taken to Sheboygan Memorial Hospital where he later died.
The criminal complaint against Lemerande indicates he noticed Lehrke and another man shoving one another. Lemerande told police he saw Lehrke come after the other man with a shovel -- and that "he was not going to stand there." Lemerande said in the complaint, "Nobody there told me to stab anybody. I was basically, self-defense was running through my head even though it probably wasn't self-defense, but then I walked downstairs and seeing dude on top of (the man) I lost it."
Lemerande told police after he stabbed Lehrke, "it was the worst thing I've ever seen." He also stated, "It's time for me to pay the consequences. I'm just scared I'm never going to see my family again...A couple of beers can do this (expletive)."
Lemerande is due in court for his preliminary hearing on Wednesday, January 30th.
Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.