Javarius Hurd
MERRILL, WI (WSAU-WXPR) — Trial proceedings for Javairus Hurd, the 18-year-old accused of reckless homicide in the death of Lincoln Hills Correctional Officer Corey Proulx, have been reset after he withdrew his guilty plea.
WXPR Radio in Rhinelander reports that Hurd hopes to have his case sent to the juvenile system, after a recent appeals court decision impacted considerations for such a transfer. He had entered an agreement where he pled guilty to second-degree reckless homicide but claimed he was not mentally responsible for the crime.
A Phase Two trial, which would have examined his mental state at the time of Proulx’s death, had been scheduled to determine if he should go to prison or a mental facility. That is now off the books.
RELATED: Hurd Case to Stay in Adult Court
He was originally charged as an adult because of the seriousness of the crime, even though he was 16 when it happened. A previous attempt by the defense to send him to juvenile court had failed. His lawyers were also unsuccessful in securing a change of venue for the case.
A previous attempt at a Phase Two trial was canceled after the court failed to find an unbiased jury pool.
After the withdrawal of Hurd’s plea, the state upgraded the charge against him to first-degree reckless homicide.
Hurd is accused of throwing a cup of soap in the face of a female correctional officer, who he felt had been treating him unfairly. He then ran into the courtyard of the Lincoln Hills facility, where he was chased by Proulx, who tried to restrain him. Hurd lashed out, and Proulx fell, striking his head on a hard surface. He died at a local hospital a few hours later.
Further court action is scheduled for June 3rd and August 20th.
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