Jury in Dikeman murder trial will be selected in La Crosse, instead of out-of-county

A La Crosse County jury will be chosen for the local homicide trial of Josie Dikeman.

The Onalaska woman is accused of causing the abuse-related death of her boyfriend’s 6-year-old son, Alexavier Pedrin, in early 2023. On Tuesday, Dikeman’s defense attorney, Christopher Zachar, argued to choose jurors from outside La Crosse because of extensive publicity about the case.

“Our primary request is to bring in a panel from out of county, rather than change the venue entirely,” said Zachar. “I think everyone involved would probably prefer that outcome, if the court were to take action here.”

The case has received publicity in social media, and people wearing T-shirts in support of Alexavier have marched in local parades, during Oktoberfest and the Holmen Kornfest. Zachar described the parade activity as “advocacy efforts,” which he believes “paint Miss Dikeman as a killer and a child abuser.”

La Crosse district attorney Tim Gruenke says other high-profile local cases, such as the Nya Thao triple-homicide trial, were heard by local juries, and were considered fair trials. Judge Levine made a similar point, saying jurors chosen for a trial aren’t necessarily influenced by public demonstrations related to crimes.

“I believe that we can empanel a jury here that will be fair to Miss Dikeman,” said Levine. The judge denied the request for a jury from outside La Crosse County, as well as turning down a motion to dismiss a child neglect charge filed against Dikeman. Three weeks have been set aside for a trial in August.