Jereme Newton (Photo source: Wisconsin Department of Corrections)
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The state appeals court upheld Jereme Newton’s conviction for provided a fatal dose of drugs, rejecting arguments his attorney mishandled jury instructions in the case.
Newton, now 37, was sentenced to 12 years in prison after being convicted of first-degree reckless homicide and other counts in connection with the April 21, 2020, overdose at a Bellevue hotel.
After prosecutors requested to use a new jury instruction, Newton contends his attorney didn’t handle the situation properly, so he should get a new trial.
But in the 17-page decision issued Tuesday, the appeals court disagreed.
“We conclude that Newton has failed to demonstrate that he was prejudiced by his defense counsel’s potentially deficient performance with respect to the jury instruction. To begin, Newton does not allege that the updated jury instruction changed the standard of proof rather than clarifying the existing standard under WIS. STAT. 940.02(2) in a manner consistent with existing case law. More importantly, Newton does not explain, let alone prove, how defense counsel’s prior knowledge of the updated language would have helped his defense or how counsel’s alleged lack of knowledge of the updated language affected the outcome of the proceedings. We agree with the State that while the updated jury instruction ‘language undercut the usefulness of Newton’s expert, there is nothing to suggest that prior knowledge of that language would have saved Newton’s backup defense or his expert’s testimony,'” the decision states.
The court also rejected several others issued Newton raised.
According to the criminal complaint, the victim’s employer was concerned when he didn’t show up for work. Deputies entered the hotel room and found the unnamed man, who was deceased. Rene Puente arranged for Newton to deliver heroin and meth to the victim at the hotel.
Puente was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in arranging the drug deal.
Newton is currently housed at the Stanley Correctional Center.
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