MANITOWOC – A judge has denied a defense motion seeking to admit evidence that is typically barred under Wisconsin’s rape shield law in the Manitowoc County Circuit Court case against Michael Kornely, 76.
The motion asked the court to allow evidence that would otherwise be excluded under rape shield protections. The court denied the request.
Judge Mark Rohrer denied the motion during a hearing May 11 after hearing arguments from both Kornely’s attorney, Jason Luczak, and from Assistant District Attorney Angelina Scarpelli, who is prosecuting the case.
The reason for Rohrer’s denial was not noted in online court records.
Michael Kornely faces sexual assault charges stemming from a March 2024 complaint
Kornely was charged with second-degree sexual assault of an intoxicated victim and third-degree sexual assault in a case file March 22, 2024.
The criminal complaint states the victim reported a sexual assault, alleging Kornely was the perpetrator.
A scheduling conference is now set in the matter for June 24 at the Manitowoc County Courthouse.
Separate case involving alleged contact with minor moved to federal court
A second circuit court case, also filed in March 2024, was closed after the charges were deferred to the federal court.
In that case, Kornely was arrested on March 21, 2024, while attempting to meet with a 15-year-old boy he believed he had been talking to through Snapchat, another criminal complaint said.
He was released from Manitowoc County Jail on March 22, 2024, after a $10,000 cash bail was furnished.
According to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice, Kornely is alleged to have transported two minor victims across state lines “with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity,” in 2005 and 2006.
The release also states that Kornely is suspected to have “used a computer to attempt to persuade, induce and entice a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity,” in March 2024.
Conviction in federal case could carry life sentence and steep fines
If convicted of these charges, Kornely could face up to a lifetime in prison and up to $250,000 in fines. He would also be required to register as a sexual offender.
The case is set for a jury trial in the Eastern Wisconsin District Court in September.
Contact Alisa M. Schafer at aschafer@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Rape shield motion denied in Manitowoc case against Michael Kornely
Reporting by Alisa M. Schafer, Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter / Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter
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