Teresa Boone murder suspect could see state level prosecution
MILWAUKEE -- A 32-year-old man was arrested Sunday, September 2nd -- accused of the murder of 45-year-old Teresa Boone at Kilbourn Reservoir Park in Milwaukee's Riverwest neighborhood. FOX6 News has learned that man is the son of a Milwaukee County judge. The suspect may see his case prosecuted by the Attorney General's Office, versus the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office -- a move the victim's family says they're happy about.
When Boone's family learned the man suspected of taking Boone's life is the son of a Milwaukee County judge, they were worried about how the justice system would work in the case. They say they're breathing a sigh of relief after learning prosecutors may come from the state level.
Marquette Law School professor Greg O'Meara was a Milwaukee County prosecutor for six years. When he heard the suspect in Sunday night's Kilbourn Reservoir Park murder is the son of a judge, he says he understood how that changed the justice process.
"The job of a prosecutor has a lot of discretion. A prosecutor appears before this judge all the time. Someone from the prosecutor's office will constantly be in this courtroom," O'Meara said.
Wednesday morning, September 5th, the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office told FOX6 News it had already contacted the Wisconsin Attorney General's Office regarding taking over the case.
"That way, the victim knows that there's nothing special going on in the case. The victim's family knows that and the public in general," O'Meara said.
Boone's family members say they agree with the move.
"It won't be no favoritism. It will be an honest, fair trial," Carolyn Bond, who's son had three children with Boone.
The trial is the last thing on the family's mind at this point. Boone -- a mother of three and grandmother of three must be buried. The family's financial situation is making arrangements difficult.
"Right now it's like the same thing a homeless person would have, so I'm trying to get it upgraded to a more decent funeral with a better casket for her," Boyd said.
Boone's funeral is set for noon on Friday, September 7th at Leon Williamson Funeral Home. Boyd hopes those who knew Boone might help make one last different in her life.
"I've been to an Associated Bank and setup a memorial fund so possibly we can give her a decent funeral and a respectable, decent burial," Boyd said.
The District Attorney's Office will still be the first agency to file charges against the suspect -- a move FOX6 News is told will likely come Thursday, September 6th.
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