Weldon pleads not guilty

By NICK NARIGON

Tonch Weldon

The attorney for Tonch Lynn Weldon, 37, Blairstown, filed a not guilty plea in Iowa County District Court Thursday, July 9, to the charge of murder in the first degree.

A jury trial is set for Monday, Aug. 3, at 9 a.m. A pretrial conference was scheduled for Thursday, July 23, at 10 a.m.

Iowa County Sheriff Robert Rotter said Weldon's trial date will more than likely be pushed back. Weldon has to physically be able to stand trial, Rotter said, and he does not know if Weldon's doctor will allow him to stand trial that soon. Rotter said Weldon also has to be able to stay at the Iowa County Jail for the duration of the trial.

Weldon is currently being treated as a patient at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center, Oakdale. He allegedly attempted suicide following the alleged murder attempt.

Weldon was charged June 7 at 1040 L Ave., rural Blairstown. According to the incident report, at 4:30 p.m. at 1040 L Avenue, Blairstown, Weldon allegedly willfully, deliberately and with premeditation shot Amy Gephart with a firearm, killing her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UPDATED July 15, 2009 9:45 AM