Starkie Swenson. (Photo credit: WLUK)
(WTAQ-WLUK) — A corpse found at High Cliff State Park in 2021 and the subsequent charges, which were eventually dropped, may lead to a change in Wisconsin law.
The body of Starkie Swenson was found in the park 38 years after he was murdered by John Andrews in 1983. Andrews was charged with hiding Swenson’s body.
“We’re talking about a serious crime that somebody is trying to get away with,” said Sen. André Jacque, R-New Franken.
However, those charges were dropped by a Calumet County judge due to Wisconsin’s statute of limitations. The statute of limitations allows felony charges to be filed within only six years of the crime.
Rep. Ron Tusler, R-Harrison, and Jacque are local lawmakers pursuing a change to the statute of limitation laws, calling it a loophole that needs to be closed.
“When that body was found, we thought we would be able to prosecute and get a conviction against the person that hid that body,” said Tusler. “A person that had already been convicted of murdering that person many, many years ago.”
Andrews, 86, was originally sentenced to two years of jail time for homicide by negligent use of a vehicle in 1994, but he refused to reveal the location of Swenson’s body.
“We don’t want to reward people for successfully hiding a body,” said Tusler.
Under the new law, the statute of limitations would instead start when the body is found.
“The reality is, it’s a tremendous loophole for individuals and there’s really no reason for it. I’m glad that this legislation is going to try to close that loophole,” said Calumet County District Attorney Nathan Haberman.
The new law would have no impact on Andrews, but would impact future cases.
“You want to be able to make sure that the next family does not have to go through the same trauma,” Jacque said.
The penalty for hiding a corpse is up to 12.5 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000. The law has been formally introduced and could be voted on later this year.
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