Despite lawyer's unique argument, Jakubowski convicted on 3 counts after Janesville gun theft

Jakubowski found guilty

Joseph Jakubowski, attorney Michael Murphy

JANESVILLE -- The man who sparked a statewide manhunt last spring was found guilty here on all three counts Tuesday. 33-year-old Joseph Jakubowski was on trial for stealing more than a dozen guns from Armageddon Supplies in Janesville.

While Jakubowski garnered national attention during a ten-day, statewide manhunt after he was discovered to have sent a rambling, anti-government to the White House, this state trial only had to do with the gun heist.

Closing arguments in Jakubowski's state trial Tuesday revolved around an interesting question: Did he arm himself by going into Armageddon Supplies and stealing 18 guns?

Jakubowski's lawyer, Michael S. Murphy, said his client admits he stole the guns. However, he argued that doesn't mean he armed himself.

"Mr. Jakubowski never loaded any of those firearms," said Murphy. "That conduct was not conduct in arming oneself, but conduct in stealing things. Mr. Jakubowski is a thief, not a terrorist."

Richard Sullivan

The prosecutor argued that, regardless of his intentions or subsequent actions, Jakubowski endangered the community by stealing 18 guns.

"Did he take guns that can kill? Yes. It's very clear," said Rock County Asst. District Attorney Richard Sullivan.

Murphy argued one of the charges should be modified. He said this may be have been a burglary but Jakubowski didn't look to see if he was getting the right ammunition.

The break-in, along with the rambling manifesto Jakubowski sent to the White House last April, preceded a 10-day, statewide manhunt. It ended when police captured Jakubowski on a farm in Vernon County, the western part of the state.

Joseph Jakubowski -- Armageddon Supplies

Joseph Jakubowski -- Armageddon Supplie

Armageddon Supplies gun shop in Janesville

"The only thing we're discussing here is did he arm himself? Did he arm himself? 18 times he armed himself," said Sullivan.

After about 90 minutes of deliberation, the jury convicted Jakubowski on all three charges. Jakubowski showed little emotion, taking notes as the judge read the verdict. Afterward, the two sides were still split on whether Jakubowski put people at risk.

"No, I don't. I don't believe he's dangerous right now either," said Murphy.

"Those (weapons) getting into the streets, into the wrong hands, would certainly be a danger to the community," Sullivan said.

As for his argument, Sullivan said previous developments in the federal trial limited his options here.

"In a case like this, where the defendant admits guilt or admits the conduct, then he admits the conduct under oath in federal court, there’s really not much I can do with it," Sullivan said.

Joseph Jakubowski

Jakubowski was previously sentenced to serve 14 years in prison on federal charges. The question now is whether Jakubowski will serve his state and federal sentences concurrently (at the same time) or consecutively (one after the other.) Murphy said he'll argue for Jakubowski to serve his sentences concurrently and in state prison and opposed to a federal penitentiary. The judge will decide on February 28.

As for the experience of working with Jakubowski, who caused some courtroom drama Monday by refusing to take an oath and, thus, not being allowed to testify, Murphy said Jakubowski was actually a good client.

"Easy. I’ve had a lot more clients that are a lot more difficult to work with than him," Murphy said. "The reason it’s easy to work with him is he’s honest."