DARLINGTON — A fourth charge of first-degree intentional homicide has been filed against Armin and Jeremy Wand in connection with the fatal Argyle house fire.
The brothers face three first-degree intentional homicide charges in connection with the deaths of Armin Wand’s sons — Allen, 7, Jeffrey, 5, and Joseph, 3 — in the Sept. 7 fire.
Both Wands also face one count of attempted first-degree intentional homicide and one count of arson for the fire and injuries to Armin Wand’s wife, Sharon, and daughter, Jessica, 2. Armin Wand faces an additional count of attempted first-degree intentional homicide.
The fourth intentional homicide charge is in connection with the death of Armin and Sharon Wand’s unborn child, who died shortly after the fire.
The Wands will be arraigned on the new homicide charge Dec. 5 at 2:30 p.m. That also is the scheduled time for a scheduling conference for trials on the remaining charges before Green County Circuit Judge Thomas Vale, who will hear the cases after motions to replace Lafayette County Circuit Judge William Johnston.
The Wands also filed motions Nov. 13 for a change of venue in the case, which could either involve moving the trial or bringing in a jury from outside the area.
The motion by Armin Wand’s attorney, Guy Taylor, claimed that “pretrial publicity in the entire Madison area media market has been so intense, inflammatory and unremitting that a fair and impartial jury may not be had in Lafayette County or in the entire media market.”
The motion cited stories about the Wands’ family background, “prayer vigils for the victims and details on the condition of Sharon Wand.” The motion included online and print copies of stories from the Darlington Republican Journal, the Wisconsin State Journal in Madison, and WISC-TV and WKOW-TV in Madison.
Taylor filed a motion to separate the cases because of statements Jeremy Wand made about his brother in the criminal complaint.
Armin and Jeremy Wand are in the Lafayette County Jail after bail was set at $1.4 million and $1.2 million, respectively. They face life sentences on the intentional homicide charges, 60 years in prison on the attempted homicide charges, and 40 years and a $10,000 fine on the arson charges if convicted.
