Courts

Dikeman may wait until next year for trial in death of 6-year-old Onalaska boy

Published

11 months ago

January 22, 2024

The trial for an Onalaska woman accused of causing a 6-year-old boy’s death may not happen for another year, after an appearance Monday in La Crosse County court.

Josie Dikeman was charged with killing Alexavier Pedrin, by physical abuse — blunt force trauma. The boy died last February. The 31-year-old Dikeman was charged with homicide weeks later.

Dikeman appeared briefly in court Monday.

Her defense attorney expects that a trial could last three weeks.

La Crosse County Judge Elliott Levine said a case of that length might have to wait until 2025 because of a full court schedule for this year.

According to the autopsy, the boy had severe injuries to his head, neck, and other parts of his body. He also had been given Xanax pills.

Court appearances by Dikeman have brought out spectators, who sometimes wear shirts bearing a picture of the victim, and the message “Justice for Alexavier.”

A hearing on motions in the Dikeman case is expected within the next 30 days.

FILE – Spectators in May of 2023 at the Dikeman court hearings demonstrated outside the La Crosse Courthouse, in support of 6-year-old murder victim Alexavier Pedrin (PHOTO: Brad Williams)

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.