Courts

La Crosse Police video of questioning may be allowed at Sackett murder trial

Published

6 years ago

June 21, 2019

Brad Williams

Erik Sackett (center) sits with attorney Christopher Zachar before Judge Elliott Levine on Friday

When a La Crosse man was questioned by police about an ex-girlfriend, who was missing, were his rights violated?

The attorney for Erik Sackett says yes, but a judge says no.

Sackett is scheduled to be tried this fall in La Crosse for the 2018 murder of Erin (Bushek) Somvilai.

Judge Elliott Levine ruled Friday that La Crosse police did not violate Sackett’s rights when they talked with him at his home last year, after Somvilai was reported missing.

As a result, a video of the questioning could be used as possible trial evidence.

Sackett’s attorney said an officer ignored his client’s repeated insistence that he didn’t want to answer any more questions.

Somvilai was discovered dead a few days later, at a lake in Vernon County.

More hearings on motions are expected before Sackett’s trial in October.

Related Topics:Erik Sackett murder trial police video

Brad Williams

A native of Prairie du Chien, Brad graduated from UW - La Crosse and has worked in radio news for more than 30 years, mostly in the La Crosse area. He regularly covers local courts and city and county government. Brad produces the features "Yesterday in La Crosse" and "What's Buried on Brad's Desk." He also writes the website "Triviazoids," which finds odd connections between events that happen on a certain date, and he writes and performs with the local comedy group Heart of La Crosse. Brad been featured on several national TV programs because of his memory skills.