FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Prosecutor Tim Rutkowski, 989.269.9255
On Tuesday, November 7, 2023, Connor Lee Wichert, 27, of Bad Axe, was found guilty of Assault with Intent to do Great Bodily Harm Less than Murder following a one day jury trial in the 52nd Circuit Court.
The charges arose from an incident on February 26, 2022, in the City of Bad Axe, when several friends returned to Wichert’s home after an evening out at a local bar. According to witness testimony, the evening went normally until the early morning hours when Wichert and the victim got into a physical altercation. The victim testified that this was simply a wrestling match while Wichert claimed it was an attack. The victim testified that he “tapped out” and thought the wrestling match was over. Wichert then went to his bedroom and retrieved an aluminum training bat and proceeded to assault the victim repeatedly with the weapon.
The jury heard testimony from Officer Brianna Guza of the Bad Axe Police Department, who took the original complaint at the hospital. Dr. Michael Remley, the emergency physician who treated the victim, testified to his observations and the extent of the victim’s injuries. D/Sgt. Kevin Knoblock, the officer in charge of the case, testified as to his findings from interviewing the individuals involved as well as his execution of a search warrant on Wichert’s residence where he located the training bat. The jury also heard from an eyewitness who was at the gathering as well as the victim. Wichert testified on his own behalf, asserting self-defense by claiming that the victim charged at him and the only way he could stop the attacks was by using the training bat. The case was tried by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Alexander Pahany.
Assault with Intent to do Great Bodily Harm Less than Murder is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for January 22, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. before the Hon. Gerald M. Prill. Wichert was permitted to remain free on bond despite objection from the prosecution.
Prosecutor Timothy Rutkowski noted that:
“This was a very serious incident with a training bat that resulted in significant injuries to the victim. This office takes these types of crimes very seriously and will continue to hold perpetrators of violent crimes accountable for their actions. We would like to thank the officers of the Bad Axe Police Department for their efforts in investigating this matter to allow for a successful prosecution.”
