Police
Man charged with homicide after La Crosse Menards parking lot fight is released from jail after bond lowered
The 50-year-old man charged with 1st degree reckless homicide after a fight in the La Crosse Menards parking lot has been released from jail, after his bond was lowered on Thursday.
Matthew Kinstler is accused of beating a 79-year-old, who later died of his injuries. His initial bond was set at $100,000. After a Thursday hearing, however, the bond was reduced to $5,000 cash, and he was released from jail.
Kinstler is ordered to be held under house arrest, and wear a GPS monitor.
On May 1, Kinstler got into an argument with Russell Paulson, when Paulson allegedly either parked too close or bumped into Kinstler’s car at Menards. That argument quickly turned into a fight, where Kinstler allegedly used Paulson’s cane to hit the 79-year-old.
Kinstler claimed Paulson swung the cane and must have hit himself accidentally before falling down.
Witnesses, however, said Kinstler pushed Paulson to the ground, then picked up the walking stick and hit the victim.
Kinstler pleaded not guilty to the charge on May 15.