RYAN LEWIS STEINHOFF
By LeAnn R. Ralph
MENOMONIE — A 37-year-old Eau Claire man has entered a plea of “not guilty” in connection with a homicide in the Town of Dunn in November.
Ryan L. Steinhoff appeared in Dunn County Circuit Court before Judge Rod W. Smeltzer with his attorneys, Ryan J. Moertel and Matthew Krische, for an arraignment hearing December 30.
Steinhoff is charged with first degree intentional homicide, along with Chad D. Turgeson, age 37 and Ashley A. Gunder, age 24, in connection with the death of Bruce E. McGuigan, age 37, of Hayward, at N2564 440th Street in the Town of Dunn November 17.
The charge of first degree intentional homicide also has three modifiers: use of a dangerous weapon, as a repeat offender and as a party to a crime.
Steinhoff is charged,too, with three felony counts of bail jumping and a misdemeanor count of retail theft as a party to a crime and as a repeat offender.
The misdemeanor count of retail theft in an amount of less than $500 was recently added to Steinhoff’s charges.
Krische objected to the addition of retail theft.
During a preliminary hearing December 28 for Chad Turgeson, Sergeant Travis Mayer with the Dunn County Sheriff’s Department testified Steinhoff and Turgeson had been staying at the Americinn in Menomonie and had gone to Kwik Trip and were eating items they had not purchased and that they had taken items from the convenience store.
Judge Smeltzer determined the count of retail theft was transactionally related to the other charges.
Steinhoff and Turgeson left the residence of George Welch in the Town of Dunn where the murder occurred with a woman named Courtney Rice.
When deputies were looking for the vehicle, which was registered to Rice’s father, they found the vehicle parked at the Americinn.
The Steinhoff case had originally been assigned to Judge James Peterson. Earlier in December, Steinhoff had requested a different judge, and the case was transferred to Judge Smeltzer.
The Gunder case also was originally assigned to Judge Peterson, but Gunder also requested a different judge, and her case was transferred to Judge Smeltzer as well.
Steinhoff is scheduled for a status conference in Dunn County Circuit Court on March 5 at 10:30 a.m.
According to the criminal complaint, Welch told investigators that while he had been in town, four people had broken into his house. Welch said he knew two of the people. One was “Chad” — later identified as Chad Turgeson — and “Little Red,” identified as Ashley Gunder. Welch said he did not know another individual, who seemed to be in charge, and that he also did not know the victim.
Welch said he was told not to go to the bedroom because someone was being “schooled” and that he had heard noises coming from the bedroom.
