(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Pleasant Prairie Police Chief Dave Smetana told KCE today that with many hours of police work, and some tips, there might finally be closure for the family of Joseph Christol of Pleasant Prairie. Christol was found by a friend dead in his own home on 121st Street in Pleasant Prairie on September 16, 2019, just after 5:30pm.
(Kenosha County Sheriff)
According to the criminal complaint, a friend of Christol hadn’t heard from him in three days, so he went to Christol’s house to investigate. His car was there, so he went in through a window. There, he found his friend, who has been deceased for some time. He had a bullet hole in his head and two guns on the floor next to a pool of blood.
Police noticed two holes in the wall about the size of a human fist. An autopsy was conducted on the body of Joseph Christol by Dr. Wieslawa Tlomak of the Milwaukee Medical Examiner’s Office. Dr. Tlomak indicated that there was a gunshot wound to Joseph’s head, contact range of fire with exit. The entrance was on the left temple with soot. The exit was on the right parietal scalp. The trajectory was front-to-back, left-to-right and upward. Joseph’s brothers noted that Joseph was right-handed.
Siler’s cousin, who lives in Arizona told Silers’ brother that randomly Siler arrived at his house in Arizona and said that he was with Joseph the day that Joseph died. On September 20, 2019, police contacted Siler’s cousin by phone. During the call, he stated that on Saturday, September 14, 2019 at around 11:30 a.m. (1:30 Central) he received a phone call from Siler who wanted to come out to Arizona for a week or two. His cousin told Siler it was fine and he figured Siler might be fighting with his girlfriend or something else as Siler had been out to visit him a month ago. Siler’s cousin stated that on Monday, September 16, 2019, he got the news that Joseph was found dead with a bullet in his head, suicide. Siler’s cousin tried to talk to Siler about Joseph but Siler started tearing up and would not talk.
Finally, after persistence, Siler’s cousin got him to talk about the death. Siler’s cousin asked Siler to explain what exactly happened. Siler said they were drinking and hanging out and before he knew it, the gun went off. Siler told his cousin that he didn’t know if he had the gun or if Joseph had the gun but as soon as the gun went off Siler said he sobered up instantly. Siler told his cousin that he laid there and held Joseph for a while. Siler said his phone wasn’t charged so he couldn’t call for an ambulance. Siler said he got into his vehicle and drove.
After hearing this, Siler’s cousin had told Siler he couldn’t stay at his home and he needed to go back to Kenosha to talk to Joseph’s family and the police.
A detective spoke to Siler’s mother who stated that Siler came home and told her he did not know what happened because he drank so much. Siler stated they were playing around with guns. Siler’s mother stated they do this often referring to drinking and playing with guns. Siler’s mom stated that she next saw Siler Friday night but was not sure of the time. Christol’s mother stated that Siler came home and said, “Mom I think Joe’s dead.” Siler’s mom stated she asked Siler what happened and he replied he did not know because he was in a total black out. Siler stated he laid on the floor with Joseph, held him and cried.
A police officer conducted a follow-up interview on October 8, 2019 with Siler’s friend who found him. During this interview, he was asked about Siler. He recalled an incident that he estimated had occurred approximately two years prior. He stated that Siler was at Joseph’s house with others. He said that Joseph’s guns were out which was not uncommon for Joseph. He said that Joseph would keep his guns in drawers and out in the open. He said that during the prior incident Siler grabbed one of Joseph’s guns and pointed it at Joseph’s head and pulled the trigger and it went click. Siler’s friend stated that Joseph said, “Dude if there was a fucking bullet you would have killed me.” He state that Siler responded by saying, “So what?” Joseph’s brother also recalled that incident.
In June of 2024, an inmate at the jail told police the he needed to talk to them about Siler. He said he had information about a murder in Carol Beach that was meant to “look like a suicide.” The bunkmate told police that Siler told him that he was a “killer” and a “gang member.’ Siler also mentioned the fist holes in the wall and was worried about DNA. The police did indeed find Siler’s DNA in various areas of the crime scene and fingerprints.
Today, Siler was charged with Homicide by Negligent Handling of a Dangerous Weapon, a class G Felony. If convicted, Siler faces a maximum sentence 5 years in prison and 5 years of extended supervision.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
“The state is requesting a $150,000 cash bond in this case. The state believes there is significant concern about the defendant fleeing the jurisdiction. As that is what he did in the immediate aftermath of what happened in September of 2019,” said Kenosha County Deputy District Attorney Carli McNeill. “He immediately did flee to Arizona. And it was months before the Pleasant Prairie Police Department could locate him again. And attempt to continue their investigation in the spring of 2020. So there is significant flight risk. And then also the defendant does have a prior record that has mainly been accumulated since this incident. But I think it’s enlightening in terms of his willingness to be non-compliant.”
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
“The court has reviewed the criminal complaint. It has heard arguments from both state and the defense. The court does believe a substantial amount of cash is concerned,” said Kenosha County Circuit Court Commissioner William Michel II. “From what’s alleged in this criminal complaint. From the court’s reading. There is a confession. I do understand the nature. The maximum penalties for the homicide by negligent handling of a dangerous weapon. The defendant is facing 10 years of incarceration. Fine up to $25,000. What the court’s going to do. The court’s going to impose a $150,000 cash bond.”
Siler is due back in court on September 3, 2024 for a preliminary hearing.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
24 Responses
Guilty. 5 years ? You gotta be effing kidding me !
Class G Felony ?
I’d like to know what a F class is. All the way back up to Class A Felony.
Seems like an issue with the legislature giving too many options of charging someone.
Are there any more classes to where they get no time at all for killing someone ?
https://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com/resources/class-a-felony.htm
Hey Kevin, good show with Vicki. Poor ANDY…
https://m.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3z4Mdh0Y2VG965-jk_UEYaCftEuDWfI8TUyjOtPmmrULyZ3kG__ENUG6I_aem_59mpb8uQEyGXBItebHEVxg&v=dis5cblne5E&feature=youtu.be.
Just listened to the interview. Gravely should be embarrassed. Oh that’s right , he’s a Democrat.
Sgt. Hard just lost his stiffy.
I love Vicki’s show, but I was mowing the lawn yesterday.
Great interview.
Very nice interview! I wish we could have given Steinbrink Jr more exposure than what he got too by having his financial crimes on a radio program. He should of had more charges stick and not been allowed to run his business so freely on a daily business while “serving time”. Steinbrink gets out all day long to do whatever he wants with his business and doesn’t have to be back to jail until 6pm. What a joke! He can even go home if he wants ( of course, only if its business related…lol). It won’t be long he will just be given allowance to not even have to go back to jail and spend the night! Why don’t the people of PP get justice? Why doesn’t Steinbrink have to pay back what he stole and be accountable? Why does he even get to keep house? SELL IT! What about all the people he treated so wrong by firing them and causing such hardship for them financially? 1 Year in jail and 30,000 fine? Seriously!!!??? I hope he messes up somewhere and Zoerner pulls the plug with this sweet deal Steinbrink has with the judge! We need to keep the prosecutors held responsible for shirking their duties to other counties. Let’s figure out a law to introduce so that can happen!
I see Steinbrink driving around all the time in the Hansen pool and spa truck. Installing pools and doing a hack job
See bergs post? About solis. And he claims he isn’t under investigation
Kids drinking? Didn’t he post a picture of him and his underage daughter drinking together in a bar?
He’s claiming the the post to his friends it’s all a lie about the investigation and he isn’t under any investigation and Kevin is lying Read all the comments
Look back in his posts from last Halloween. He was asking for recommendations for where he could take his daughter to an “adult Halloween party”.
Sounds like a Kevin story to be made
Agree!
Kevin, why is Andy saying there is no investigation and it’s all a lie
These facts have been known since Joe’s murder, I actually spoke with Mike Graveley in the months following this terrible crime. I got a bs answer at the time and was so angry. We had left on vacation earlier that day, and I spoke with Joe the previous day, and I knew the minute I heard ‘suicide’ it was crap. Joe was our neighbor, a kind & funny guy for sure. I am absolutely disgusted that this creature will only face 5 damned years. Joe deserves better! Rest in peace Joe, you are missed!
That’s why I’m voting for XAVIER SOLIS for district attorney. We need to get rid of their liberal policies and soft on crime stance. Crooked Carli is no better.
Gravely needs to go!
Great interview, Kevin.
Hope to hear more of you on radio.
WLIP would probably be afraid to have you though.
You know we live in a messed up town with a disgusting judicial system when you get more time for drugs than murder, absolutely Disgusting and to Joe’s family what a slap in the face. I feel bad for his family who will get no Justice!!!!
Accidental? This sounds intentional! And no charges until a jail snitch when they knew Kevin shot him right after, ridiculous! #justiceforjoe. Rot in hell Kevin Siler for killing someone you knew for over 20 years
Thanks for looking into this Kevin M. Sad, They knew Kevin did it right after and don’t charge until a jail snitch 5 years later and been able to commit more crimes in that time…. Hopefully they can gather more information and up the charge, 5 years isn’t justice. RIP Joe💙
I would like to know the prosecutor’s seemingly absurb rationale for not issuing more serious charges. Also, why did it take so long to press charges? It seems like it shouldn’t have taken a jailhouse snitch’s info to seal the deal in this case. Good thing the suspect didn’t permanently flee the Kenosha area given how long it took for charges to be filed.
Absolutely terrible. When are we going to get justice in Kenosha. We need change and I will vote for Solis