"Plude was convicted of intentional homicide in 2002 after his wife, Genell, was found drowned in a toilet. During the trial, Plude claimed his wife took the pills and committed suicide on her own. However, prosecutors said Plude poisoned Genell and pushed her face into the toilet to drown her while she vomited.
"The Land O'Lakes man has already spent several years behind bars for the murder. However, the intentional homicide conviction was overturned after an expert witness exaggerated his credentials.
The witness claimed he was a University professor before giving expert testimony. The Wisconsin supreme court ruled the expert's credentials were false and overturned the conviction."
REPORTER PATRICK MANNING; WAOW;
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"EAGLE RIVER (WAOW) -- The Northwoods man who admitted to drowning his wife in a toilet will spend an additional 19 years behind bars before being released. Douglas Plude was sentenced to 25 years for the reckless homicide. However, the past 5 1/2 years Plude has already served will be deducted from the 25 years," the WAOW story by reporter Patrick Manning, published on November 24, 2010 under the heading, "Plude to serve more time behind bars," begins.
"Plude is currently being held in Vilas Co Jail and will be transferred to the Wisconsin State Prison System," the story continues.
"The court heard testimony from Genell Pludes parents.
"I have a permanent picture in my mind of Genell that day. I will for ever wonder what her last moments were like and did she know that we were on her way to get her," said mother Lillian Johnson.
"There's no relief from the anxiety and stress that we and many others have had to endure over this time," said father Kenneth Johnson.
Plude originally pleaded not guilty to intentional homicide but a judge and jury determined otherwise.
He served nearly six years of prison time before that guilty conviction was overturned. An expert witness had falsified credentials.
Plude was released, but instead of going through another trial, he pleaded guilty this time around to a lesser charge of reckless homicide.
Lawyers from both sides recommended he serve no more prison time--just probation. Both saying Plude isn't a threat to society.
"He accepts responsibility for the bad choices he's made. He's agreed in this case that he had alternatives, enter this plea or go to trial and he's taken the plea that he would like to conclude this case today," said James Connell, Plude's attorney.
Plude argued he needs to be released to care of his sick mother.
"It didn't take long for me to accept this plea bargain; so I could be home with her. It's not about me and my innocence anymore, I'd love to prove it, believe me," says Plude.
But the judge denied Plude's request for probation. He was sent to custody and will be transported to a Wisconsin state prison.
Online Reporter: Patrick Manning
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Plude was convicted of intentional homicide in 2002 after his wife, Genell, was found drowned in a toilet. During the trial, Plude claimed his wife took the pills and committed suicide on her own. However, prosecutors said Plude poisoned Genell and pushed her face into the toilet to drown her while she vomited.
The Land O'Lakes man has already spent several years behind bars for the murder. However, the intentional homicide conviction was overturned after an expert witness exaggerated his credentials.
The witness claimed he was a University professor before giving expert testimony. The Wisconsin supreme court ruled the expert's credentials were false and overturned the conviction."
The story can be found at:
http://www.waow.com/Global/story.asp?S=13562238
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic" section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be accessed at:
http://www.thestar.com/topic/charlessmith
For a breakdown of some of the cases, issues and controversies this Blog is currently following, please turn to:
http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=120008354894645705&postID=8369513443994476774
Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog; hlevy15@gmail.com;
