Email This Story
Print This StoryRelated To Story
Portage Investigation  SLIDESHOW: View Photos Of Portage Investigation SuspectsSLIDESHOW: View Images Of Portage Investigation TALKBACK: Are You Shocked By Allegations? READ: View Portage Investigation Court DocumentsREAD: View Portage Investigation Criminal Complaint (PDF Format)Video  VIDEO: Four Suspects Face Charges (June 20, 2007)VIDEO: Body Discovered At Portage House (June 15, 2007)VIDEO: Neighbors React To Investigation (June 15, 2007) |
Judge Grants Separate Trials In Portage Torture-Slaying Case
Jury Will Be Brought In From Different County
UPDATED: 1:03 pm CDT March 15,
2008
PORTAGE, Wis. -- A judge has granted separate trials for the leaders of a group of drifters accused of torturing an 11-year-old boy and killing his mother.VIDEO: Watch The ReportMichael Sisk, 26, and his 24-year-old girlfriend, Candace Clark, each face multiple charges that include being a party to first-degree intentional homicide, child abuse and false imprisonment.Sisk and Clark also requested separate trials for each charge, but that request was denied, WISC-TV reported."I'm very pleased the judge decided to keep all the charges for each defendant together. That's going to be very important, because otherwise we would be going over and over the same evidence at separate trials on each defendant," said Jane Kohlwey, Columbia County district attorney.Investigators said Sisk and Clark led a group of scam artists across the country.Police said they discovered an 11-year-old boy locked in a closet with burns all over his body in a home the group rented in Portage. Officers also found the body of the boy's mother, Tammie Garlin, buried in a shallow grave behind the house.Kohlwey said she is disappointed that the judge granted a change of venue request for the trial. The jury will be selected from outside of Columbia County, WISC-TV reported. A trial date has not yet been set.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportMichael Sisk, 26, and his 24-year-old girlfriend, Candace Clark, each face multiple charges that include being a party to first-degree intentional homicide, child abuse and false imprisonment.Sisk and Clark also requested separate trials for each charge, but that request was denied, WISC-TV reported."I'm very pleased the judge decided to keep all the charges for each defendant together. That's going to be very important, because otherwise we would be going over and over the same evidence at separate trials on each defendant," said Jane Kohlwey, Columbia County district attorney.Investigators said Sisk and Clark led a group of scam artists across the country.Police said they discovered an 11-year-old boy locked in a closet with burns all over his body in a home the group rented in Portage. Officers also found the body of the boy's mother, Tammie Garlin, buried in a shallow grave behind the house.Kohlwey said she is disappointed that the judge granted a change of venue request for the trial. The jury will be selected from outside of Columbia County, WISC-TV reported. A trial date has not yet been set.
Previous Stories:
- March 1, 2008: Clerc Pleads No Contest To Abusing Portage Boy
- February 29, 2008: Lawyer: Client Will Plead To Helping Abuse Boy In Portage
- December 14, 2007: Three Enter Not Guilty Pleas In Portage Slaying, Child Abuse Case
- November 20, 2007: Judge Orders Trial For Couple In Portage Slaying Case
- November 19, 2007: Doctor: Portage Boy Was Most Beaten Child She'd Ever Seen
- November 15, 2007: Teen Accused In Portage Killing Moved To Juvenile Court
- November 13, 2007: Teen Accused In Portage Slaying Could Move To Juvenile Court
- November 7, 2007: Boy Won't Have To Testify In Person In Portage Abuse Case
- June 30, 2007: High School Team Helps Portage Cares Effort
- June 28, 2007: Victim's Relative Agrees To Stop Fundraising Effort
- June 28, 2007: Donations For Abused Boy Top $10,000
- June 25, 2007: Portage Slaying Victim's Family Raises Money For Tortured Son
- June 23, 2007: Woman Accused In Portage Investigation Speaks To Reporters
- June 22, 2007: Beaten Boy Still Hospitalized; FBI Might Enter Portage Investigation
- June 22, 2007: Homicide, Torture Case Rocks Portage
- June 20, 2007: Teen Arrested In Connection To Portage Slaying
- June 19, 2007: Toddler Rescued In Portage Was Missing From Florida Foster Care
- June 19, 2007: Portage Landlord: Family Requested Back Yard Patio
- June 18, 2007: Authorities Continue Portage Investigation
- June 17, 2007: Police Investigating Child Abduction Uncover Body, Alleged Abuse
Copyright 2008 by Channel 3000. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
