Wisconsin eye drops homicide case; Jessy Kurczewski gets life in prison
WAUKESHA, Wis. - The woman convicted in the eye drops homicide case in Waukesha County was sentenced on Friday, April 5 to life in prison. She will be eligible for extended supervision after at least 40 years – when Kurczewski is in her 80s.
Jessy Kurczewski was convicted of poisoning Lynn Hernan's water with a fatal dose of eye drops – and stealing nearly $300,000 from her.
In her own words, Kurczewski doubled down on her claims that her friend, Lynn Hernan, willingly drank Visine bottles and died by suicide.
"She took it to help her sleep and it took away her pain," Kurczewski said. "To say I killed someone who I considered family? It just doesn't make sense."
Jessy Kurczewski
For two hours, Kurczewski spoke and read letters she said were written by Hernan.
Hernan's friends told the judge Hernan was a loving woman – a beautician who cared for animals and her family – and who enjoyed going to the beach. They asked for Kurczewski to be sentenced to live in prison without the possibility of parole.
"The devil awaits you. I hope you rot in hell," said one friend.
The homicide charge alone carried a mandatory life sentence.
"Even though this is completely diabolical… I think this is one of those cases to make you eligible for extended supervision at some point," Judge Dorow said.
In the end, the judge said Kurczewski can be eligible for extended supervision after 30 years – when Kurczewski is in her 70s. But the conviction in the theft cases added ten extra years – meaning Kurczewski will likely be in prison for the rest of her life.
Jessy Kurczewski
Restitution was set at $380,000 with an additional $16,000 owed to cover the cost of state witnesses in the trial.
CONTINUE READING: FOX6 News coverage of the Wisconsin eye drops homicide trial
Hernan died in October 2018. At the time, police thought her death was a suicide. It was not until months later when toxicology reports came back and a second beneficiary of Hernan's will started asking financial questions – that the death was ruled a homicide.
Lynn Hernan
Investigators believe Kurczewski drained Hernan's bank accounts while she was alive and took money from her estate after Hernan's death.
Testimony during sentencing
Kurczewski maintained her innocence in her statements to the court.
Kurczewski statement to court
Following Kurczewski's two-hour testimony, the court took a 90-minute recess – and then the judge handed down her final sentence.
Judge's final sentence
Prosecutors react
Judge Dorow said Kurczewski cannot profit in any way from this case.