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Uncensored:Laura Tennessen

From Wikitruth

Laura J. Tennessen

Born	July 27, 1986 Lancaster, Wisconsin
Died	August 27, 2006 (aged 20) Lancaster, Wisconsin
Occupation	Certified Nursing Assistant
Parents	Clifford Tennessen Marge Cullen Tennessen

Laura J. Tennessen (July 27 1986–August 27 2006)^[1] was a 20 year old Cassville, Wisconsin resident who posthumously became an internet cause célèbre after three Wisconsin men were arrested for tampering with her grave.

1 Accident & death
2 Attempted desecration of body
3 Motorcycle driver charged
4 Legal repercussions
5 Legacy
6 Notes
7 External links

[edit] Accident & death

Tennessen was a certified nursing assistant who died from injuries she received in a motorcycle accident on Highway 133/East Amelia Street (500 Ft. north of Klauer St) in Cassville on Sunday, August 27 2006 around 3:14 a.m.^[2] Tennessen was a passenger on a 2001 Honda motorcycle driven by Thomas C. Sweet, also twenty years old, of Lancaster, Wisconsin. Both were flung off the motorcycle when reportedly Sweet lost control. Grant County, Wisconsin deputies^[3] said that speed and alcohol were factors and that neither persons were wearing helmets. They were transported to Grant Regional Health Center by the Cassville Rescue Squad where Tennessen was pronounced dead by Grant County Coroner Ron Sturmer. It was reported that Sweet suffered minor injuries.^[4]

[edit] Attempted desecration of body

Several days later, Nicholas Grunke (the son of ordained Methodist minister Kerry Grunke from Ridgeway, WI) spotted the Tennessen obituary and hatched a plot together with his twin brother Alex and their friend Dustin Radke to steal her remains in order to have sex with her corpse.^[5] At 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 2 2006 the Grant County Sheriff Department received a report about a suspicious, unoccupied vehicle at Wall and East Bluff Street. Alexander Grunke was arrested at the scene by Village of Cassville Police Officer Brent McDonald. Nicholas Grunke and Dustin Radke fled and were arrested the next morning about eight miles from the cemetery, walking along Highway 81 in Beetown, Wisconsin. They were charged with Attempt Misdemeanor Theft and Attempt Third Degree Sexual Assault.^[6]

On Friday, September 15 2006, Nicholas and Alexander Grunke and Dustin Radke appeared before Grant County Circuit Court Judge George S. Curry.^[7] In the hearing, Grant County Assistant District Attorney Anthony J. Pozorski, Sr. read from the transcript of the tape recorded statement given by Alexander Grunke to Grant County Sgt. Detective James E. Kopp in which Grunke said that he, his twin brother Nicholas and Dustin Radke were planning on digging up Tennessen's body and transporting it so Nicholas Grunke could have sex with it. Defense attorneys successfully argued to the circuit court that an attempted sexual assault charge would not be sustainable in this case because under Wisconsin law a third degree sexual assault can only occur if the victim is alive or death is a result of the sexual assault. Judge Curry agreed and dismissed the sexual assault charge, although the Wisconsin Court of Appeals is currently considering the State of Wisconsin's appeal dismissal of the sexual assault charge (the statute specifically states that it applies regardless of whether or not the victim is alive or dead at the time of the assault or attempt). Judge Curry recommended a charge of criminal damage to property as more appropriate and ruled to sustain the attempted theft charge.^[8]

There are no court dates currently set because the dismissal of the attempted 3rd degree sexual assault charge is currently in front of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals. The State appealed the dismissal of the attempted sexual assault charges, questioning the matter based on first impression - namely, whether or not section 940.225(7) of the Wisconsin Statutes, which states this section applies whether a victim is dead or alive at the time of the sexual contact or sexual intercourse, is applicable to a grave robbery in which the purpose of the grave robbing is to have sexual intercourse with the corpse.^[9]

[edit] Motorcycle driver charged

Prosecutors also filed a charge of Homicide by Intoxicated Use of a Motor Vehicle and a charge of Homicide with a Prohibited Alcohol Concentration against motorcycle driver Thomas C. Sweet. His initial court appearance date was set for Monday, October 2 2006. As a condition of bond set at the October 2 hearing, defendant Sweet was prohibited from consuming any alcohol during the pendency of the case.

Mr. Sweet did not waive his right to a Preliminary Hearing, and one was held on October 23 2006, at which time Judge Curry found sufficient evidence to bind him over for trial. At his Arraignment of November 15 2006, defendant Sweet pled "not guilty," placing the issue for trial, but on February 21 2007, he pled guilty to Homicide by Intoxicated Use of a Motor Vehicle. A pre-sentence report was requested, and his sentencing hearing held April 18 2007, the Honorable George S. Curry placed Sweet on probation for a period of ten years, directed him to be confined to the Grant County Jail for one year as a condition of probation, directed him to perform 500 hours of community service, ordered him to pay restitution for the headstone, funeral expenses, and ambulance service costs, prohibited him from consuming alcohol for ten years, and revoked his driving privileges for ten years.^[10]

[edit] Legal repercussions

As a result of the Tennessen case, Wisconsin State Senator Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center) is to sponsor legislation specifically making necrophilia a crime.^[11]

[edit] Legacy

On January 29, 2007, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, announced the Laura Tennessen Memorial Scholarship.^[12] The $500 scholarship can be claimed by a student enrolled in an accredited nursing program and currently employed as a certified nursing assistant. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and a "passion for nursing".