$1 million bond lowered for two La Crosse suspects in separate murder trials

Bond has been reduced for the defendants in two local homicide cases.

Both Nya Thao and Josie Dikeman had been held on $1 million bond. But after court hearings on Monday, Thao’s bond was lowered to half-a-million dollars cash, and the bond for Dikeman is reduced to $250,000 cash.

Thao was tried in June for his alleged role in a triple murder near West Salem, but the jury could not agree on a verdict, so a second trial is likely. Dikeman is accused of 1st degree murder and child neglect in the death of 6-year-old Alexavier Pedrin, who reportedly died of blunt force trauma last February.

Thao is one of two suspects charged with gunning down three men at a West Salem quarry in July of 2021, over a $600 debt.

Prosecutor Nick Passe argued on Monday that a high bond is important, to keep Thao available for a second trial. Judge Elliott Levine said the “serious and violent” nature of the crime justifies a $500,000 bond.

Dikeman was arrested in May for allegedly causing the February death of Alexavier Pedrin at a house in Medary. The charges against Dikeman include homicide, physical abuse of a child, and chronic neglect leading to death.

Attorney Christopher Zachar argued on Monday for a bond reduction, saying that Dikeman is too poor to pay a million-dollar bond, she has not fled the area, and there’s no direct evidence to prove that she caused the severe injuries blamed for Alexavier’s death.