On August 13, 2024, in Jackson County Circuit Court, Branch 1, the Honorable Anna L. Becker sentenced Roy L. Thompson, 52, to a fifteen-year sentence consisting of ten years initial confinement in the Wisconsin State Prison followed by five years of extended supervision. Thompson was convicted in March 2023 of Domestic First Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety with a Dangerous Weapon as a Repeater, and of Possessing a Firearm as an Outstate Felon as a Repeater, in Jackson County case number 2022CF03.
The charges stemmed from a shooting incident in the City of Black River Falls on New Years Day, 2022, where Thompson, while intoxicated, twice discharged an illegally-possessed firearm inside a residence in the direction of several children, including one of his own. Additionally, he struck the mother of the children in the face with the firearm. Nobody was injured in the shooting.
At the sentencing on August 13th , District Attorney Emily Hynek argued that Thompson had the opportunity following his conviction to prove that he could be rehabilitated and avoid a lengthy prison term; however, he failed to do so and continued to present a risk of harm to the public. DA Hynek asked the court to order an overall sentence of seventeen years consisting of twelve years initial confinement and five years of extended supervision. Thompson, through his attorney, asked the court to order the sentence recommended by the Department of Corrections – two years initial confinement and one year of extended supervision.
In her sentencing remarks, Judge Becker echoed the arguments of the District Attorney and stated that she considered the recommendation of the defense and Department of Corrections to unduly depreciate the seriousness of the offense for which Thompson was being sentenced. Judge Becker emphasized that Thompson had been placed on notice in March 2023 that there would be dire consequences if he did not comply with supervision, and thus a more significant prison term was now warranted.
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