UNDATED (WSAU) The defense will continue to make its case today in the murder trial of former Appleton fire-fighter Scott Schmidt. He’s accused of shooting his estranged wife Kelly three times at last April outside the home they shared – and he allegedly shot-and-wounded Kelly’s mother as she came out to confront him.
Before the prosecution rested yesterday, Grand Chute police detective Michael Bartlein gave some stunning testimony. He quoted the 38-year-old Schmidt as he remembered Kelly’s final words while lying on the ground, calling it quote, “the best conversation they had in a long time.”
Bartlein also said Kelly’s boyfriend called on her cell phone right after was shot – and Schmidt admitted holding the phone to her ear so they could talk. Also, another Grand Chute detective told how Schmidt wrote two letters to his children apologizing for what he did – but that he had no choice. Schmidt also reportedly wrote that if he wasn’t going to prison for the shootings, he’d go for an earlier drunk driving crash that injured a woman. He’s charged with bail jumping for violating the terms of a bond in that case.
The trial could end as early as tomorrow.
