Apr. 4, 2024 11:30p
(WGTD)---Racine County District Attorney Trish Hanson has no explanation as to why previous D-A’s passed up the chance to prosecute the prime suspect in the gruesome 1987 murder of 28-year-old Derby Wagner-Richardson. But Hanson is pressing ahead.
Fred Wagner-Richardson, now 83 years old, was charged this week with First Degree Murder.
Speaking to reporters Thursday, Hanson acknowledged that the case against the defendant is circumstantial. "Ultimately I think that Derby deserves for a jury of her peers to make a decision in this case and now that it is in my hands and my office we're going to make that happen," she said.
Derby Wagner-Richardson’s body was found in the trunk of her car. Her throat and wrists were slashed and her mouth had been taped shut. The victim and the defendant were in the process of getting a divorce.
Also present at the news conference was the victim’s brother, Bryon Linder. "I'm still kind of shocked because it's been so long," he said. "I'm thankful there has been an arrest. I wish Mr. Wagner-Richardson a fair and thorough trial but beyond that it's been really hard on all of us."
A preliminary hearing for Fred Wagner-Richardson is scheduled for next Wednesday.
He’s free after posting a $50,000 bond.
In addition to the murder charge, the defendant is facing charges of possession of a firearm by a felon. Guns were found in his home during the execution of a search warrant last month.
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