Lee Franck
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — A plea deal has averted a trial in the case against Lee Franck, the man accused of killing Lyle Leath in 2018.
Franck entered a no contest plea Monday morning to one count of first-degree intentional homicide. In exchange, two counts of disorderly conduct have been thrown out.
The 60-year-old had been accused of striking Leath multiple times with a blunt-force object, possibly a pipe that was found in a burn pit at his Northwoods home.
Franck had been dating Leath’s daughter, and the two were said to have been arguing about the relationship. Franck is said to have threatened the Leith family numerous times, saying things like “you will all pay” after the woman broke up with him.
Franck had been scheduled to go to trial in mid-April for the charges. Instead, he will be sentenced to life in prison with only the possibility of parole to be discussed.
Court records show both sides have agreed to forgo a presentence investigation. A sentencing hearing will be set at a later date.
The trial had been delayed numerous times for issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which put a brief halt on all jury trials statewide. There were also delays due to changes in Franck’s defense team.
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