(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. — The woman accused of conspiring with her secret lover to murder her husband more than two decades ago appeared in a Kenosha County courtroom Monday afternoon, where her defense attorney pleaded for leniency based on her age, medical needs, and role as a full-time caregiver.
Roxanna Vanderzee-Collins, 70, sat beside attorney Jennifer Recktenwald during her initial appearance on a charge of first-degree intentional homicide as a party to a crime in the 2003 execution-style killing of David Vanderzee. Commissioner William Michel II ultimately ordered a $500,000 cash bond—the same amount imposed on her co-defendant, John Viskocil, last week.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
District Attorney Xavier Solis asked the court to impose a $1 million cash bond, calling the case a deeply serious and long-overdue prosecution.
“The court’s very familiar with the co-defendant. We asked for a $1 million cash bond in that case, and we still maintain that we want a $1 million cash bond in this case,” Solis said. “This case deals with the murder of the defendant’s husband, David Vanderzee. He was found dead—shot five or six times in the back of his head. Due to the nature of the offense, we’re asking the court to follow our recommendation.”
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Defense attorney Recktenwald countered with a lengthy argument, describing Vanderzee-Collins as a retired medical assistant and devoted caregiver to her current husband, Brian, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease and suspected early dementia. She told the court her client receives VA payments as his primary caregiver and raised concerns about Vanderzee-Collins’s own health conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and unresolved gynecological issues. She also alleged that the jail was not equipped to provide adequate feminine hygiene products and medication.
“She is 70 years old, with no criminal record, no history of violence, and deep ties to her family in McHenry County, Illinois,” Recktenwald argued. “The state’s case is largely circumstantial and rests on trauma response, old phone records, and her refusal to take a now-questionable voice stress test.”
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Commissioner Michel acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and the “dated” nature of the case but said those factors did not reduce the danger or legal weight.
“This is a different administration. We have a new DA—DA Solis. There were former DAs, and I can’t say why they did not charge this case earlier,” Michel said. “But I know DA Solis has brought this action, and this is very serious.”
Michel noted that neither co-defendant has a prior criminal record but emphasized that Vanderzee-Collins has “no substantial ties to this community.” He encouraged Recktenwald to contact the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office directly to ensure her client receives proper medical care while in custody.
He then imposed the $500,000 cash bond, with a no-contact order between Vanderzee-Collins and Viskocil. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 13.
Following Viskocil’s hearing earlier in the week, DA Solis spoke to Kenosha County Eye, hinting at what many observers believe is a long-awaited course correction in Kenosha’s justice system.
“When I took office, I found numerous cases—especially violent crimes—with solid evidence that had been ignored or left to collect dust. That ends now.
In the Kenosha County District Attorney’s Office, crimes supported by evidence will no longer sit on shelves.
Violent offenders will be held accountable. If there is sufficient evidence, there will be charges—without delay, without excuses.”
KCE interprets those remarks as a direct swipe at former District Attorneys Robert Zapf, Michael Graveley, and others—who had years to bring charges in this case but didn’t. Under Solis, that era of delay appears to be over.
(Cell Phone Video by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
5 Responses
High blood pressure…shocking..She looks like the cat that ate the canary.(or 2)
lol. You are right!
Mr. Solis it’s about time to resolve another cold case: Baby River’s. Our detectives resolved the case and Gravely refused to prosecute. Time to press charges against that heartless bitch.
She actually doesn’t look that unhealthy.Other than being overweight.. they are reaching! High blood pressure? Really? A good part of americans have high blood pressure! Thats the best they can do? You go Solis!
Who is she a full time caregiver for?