By LeAnn R. Ralph
MENOMONIE — A 25-year-old woman has pleaded “no contest” and has been found guilty of first degree reckless homicide in connection with a murder that happened in the Town of Dunn last November.
Ashley A. Gunder appeared with her attorney, Bernardo Cueto, before Judge Christina Mayer in Dunn County Circuit Court August 20 for a plea hearing.
Gunder initially was charged with first degree intentional homicide along with Chad D. Turgeson, age 37 and Ryan L. Steinhoff, age 38, in connection with the death of Bruce E. McGuigan, age 37, of Hayward, at N2564 440th Street in the Town of Dunn November 17, 2020.
First degree intentional homicide is a Class A felony that carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison.
First degree reckless homicide is a Class B felony that carries a penalty of up to 60 years in prison.
Two modifiers, use of a dangerous weapon and as a party to a crime, are included with Gunder’s charge of first degree reckless homicide.
Gunder also is charged with three felony counts of bail jumping.
Judge Mayer accepted Gunder’s plea of “no contest” and found the defendant guilty on the charge of first degree reckless homicide and dismissed the felony counts of bail jumping, although the three dismissed counts will be read into the record for sentencing, according to online court records.
Judge Mayer also ordered a pre-sentence investigation (PSI).
Gunder is scheduled to appear in Dunn County Circuit Court for a sentencing hearing on December 17 at 9 a.m.
At the time of the plea hearing, Gunder remained in custody at the Dunn County jail.
Judge James Peterson set bail at $500,000 cash for each of three defendants during an initial court appearance November 25, 2020.
According to the criminal complaint, Dunn County sheriff’s deputies responded to a call on that November day from George Welch, who was at Brian Lindo’s residence on 370th avenue in the Town of Dunn.
When deputies talked to Welch at Lindo’s residence, Welch said there was someone badly injured at his trailer on 440th street in the Town of Dunn.
The two deputies went to Welch’s trailer and used a public address system to ask anyone inside the residence to exit.
A woman, later identified as Ashley Gunder, and a dog emerged from Welch’s residence.
In the second bedroom, deputies discovered a man covered in blood with visible lacerations to his head who was not moving and who was cold to the touch.
