Rattanasack pleads guilty to one murder charge in triple homicide at West Salem quarry

One of the two suspects in a 2021 triple murder at a La Crosse County quarry pleaded guilty to one homicide charge.

Under a plea agreement, other charges against Khamthaneth Rattanasack are being dismissed, including two other counts of murder.

The 46-year-old would receive mandatory life in prison with a possibility of release after 20 years. Sentencing is planned for early next year.

Rattanasack is jailed outside of La Crosse County for other crimes. He appeared remotely by video on Monday before Judge Elliott Levine.

Rattanasack, and a second man, Nya Thao, were arrested for the shooting deaths of Nemo Yang, Peng Lor, and Trevor Maloney in July of 2021 at the Romskog quarry near West Salem, allegedly over a $600 debt, according to law enforcement.

Rattanasack specifically pleaded guilty to the murder of Yang.

Prosecutors say Rattanasack was the main planner of the murders and gave Thao a gun, ordering him to shoot the three victims.

Thao was tried in La Crosse for the murders last June but the jury could not reach a verdict.

Thao is scheduled for a new trial in August.

Levine ordered Rattanasack to be sentenced at least 90 days from now. He said a presentence investigation should not make a recommendation on when Rattanasack could be eligible for early release.