*
>>> THANK YOU.
PLEASE HAVE A SEAT.
IF YOU ARE SATISFIED BEYOND A
REASONABLE DOUBT THAT THE
DEFENDANT CAUSED THE DEATH OF
LYNN HERNAN WITH THE INTENT TO
KILL, YOU SHOULD FIND THE
DEFENDANT GUILTY OF FIRST DEGREE
INTENTIONAL HOMICIDE.
IF YOU ARE NOT SO SATISFIED, YOU
MUST FIND THE DEFENDANT NOT
GUILTY.
>> LYNN HERNAN IS NOT HERE TO
TELL YOU WHAT WENT ON.
>> WE WERE DISPATCHED TO A
SUICIDE.
A FEMALE HAD LOCATED HER FRIEND
DECEASED IN A RESIDENCE.
>> IT WAS IMMEDIATELY OBVIOUS
THAT THE DESEEDENT WAS THERE IN
A RECLINER.
SHE HAS MULTIPLE MEDICATION
BOTTLES WITHIN ARM'S REACH.
SHE HAS IT ON HER CARPET AND IT
APPEARS TO BE AN UNKNOWN POWDERY
SUBSTANCE LEFT BEHIND ON A
PLATE.
>> I RECEIVED A WITNESS
STATEMENT FROM JESSY.
FROM WHAT I KNEW SHE WAS THE
CARE TAKER OF THE INDIVIDUAL.
>> SHE TOOK CARE OF LYNN DURING
THE LAST YEAR OF LYNN'S LIFE.
JESSY WAS LIKE AN ADOPTED
DAUGHTER TO LYNN SO JESSY AND
LYNN WERE VERY CLOSE.
>> LYNN WAS REALLY SICK AND
DEPRESSED.
>> LYNN STARTED SUFFERING FROM
HEALTH ISSUES THAT WERE
UNEXPLAINED.
SHE WAS GOING IN AND OUT OF THE
HOSPITAL BUT DOCTORS COULDN'T
FIGURE OUT WHAT IT WAS THAT WAS
AILING LYNN.
>> SHE WAS GOING TO DOCTOR AFTER
DOCTOR AND THEN SHE WOULD CALL
ME AND SAY, THEY CAN'T FIND
ANYTHING WRONG WITH ME.
>> THE DEFENSE ARGUED THAT LYNN
WANTED TO DIE BY SUICIDE BECAUSE
SHE WAS SICK OF BEING SICK.
>> I REMEMBER HEARING IT FROM
JESSY ON THE PHONE.
IT LOOKS LIKE LYNN COMMITTED
SUICIDE.
>> WHEN YOU HEARD YOUR AUNTIE
LYNNIE DIED BY SUICIDE, DID YOU
BELIEVE THAT?
>> I WASN'T REALLY SURE AT THE
TIME WHAT TO BELIEVE.
I JUST COULDN'T SEE HER ENDING
HER OWN LIFE.
>> SHE WANTS TO DIE.
SHE DOESN'T LIKE LIFE.
>> THE SPECULATIONS AT THE TIME
ON LAW ENFORCEMENT'S BEHALF WAS
THAT THIS WAS CLEARLY A SUICIDE.
>> YOU RECEIVED INFORMATION FROM
THE MEDICAL EXAMINER.
DID THAT CAUSE THE SHERIFF'S
OFFICE TO CHANGE THEIR
INVESTIGATION?
>> YES.
>> THERE WAS A SUBSTANCE THAT
WAS UNUSUAL.
>> THE MEDICAL EXAMINER FOUND
TETRAHYDROZOLINE IN LYNN
HERNAN'S SYSTEM.
IT IS THE ACTIVE INGREDIENT IN
HI EYEDROPS THAT WHEN INGESTED
CAN BE FATAL.
>> MY OPINION IS THAT LYNN
HERNAN DIED OF TETRAHYDROZOLINE
POISONING.
>> WHAT ABOUT THE MANNER OF
DEATH?
>> IT'S HOMICIDE.
>> THE KILLER IS THE EYEDROPS.
>> ARE YOU SERIOUS?
DO YOU THINK I MURDERED HER?
>> DID YOU?
>> I SWEAR TO GOD I DIDN'T.
>> IN JUNE 2021, JESSY
KURCZEWSKI WAS CHARGED WITH
FIRST DEGREE INTENTIONAL
HOMICIDE.
THE STATE ARGUED THAT LYNN
HERNAN WAS WORTH MORE DEAD THAN
ALIVE TO JESSY KURCZEWSKI.
>> YOU WILL SEE THE ACCESS MISS
KURCZEWSKI HAD TO LYNN HERNAN
ALLOWED HER TO STEAL EVERY
DOLLAR ALMOST THAT LYNN HERNAN
WAS WORTH IN LIFE.
>> LYNN GAVE JESSY MONEY ALL THE
TIME BECAUSE SHE WANTED TO.
SHE WANTED JESSY TO HAVE IT.
>> THIS IS NOT A SUICIDE.
THIS WAS INTENTIONAL HOMICIDE.
>> LYNN LOVED JESSY.
IF LYNN HERNAN WAS HERE TODAY,
SHE WOULD SAY, ARE YOU CRAZY?
PROSECUTION?
JESSY IS INNOCENT.
*
>>> THIS CASE MUST BE DECIDED BY
YOU THE JURORS BASED ON THE
EVIDENCE PRESENTED IN THE
COURTROOM.
YOU JURORS ARE THE JUDGES OF THE
CREDIBILITY OF THE WITNESSES AND
THE WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE.
>> IN OCTOBER OF 2023, IN THE
COURTROOM OF JUDGE GENERAL
DOROW, JESSY KURCZEWSKI WENT ON
THE TRIAL FOR THE INTENTIONAL
HOMICIDE OF LYNN HERNAN ALONG
WITH TWO COUNTS OF FELONY THEFT
FOR STEALING FROM LYNN.
SOMEONE WHO HAD ALWAYS THOUGHT
OF JESSY AS A BELOVED FRIEND.
FIVE YEARS EARLIER, JESSY CALLED
POLICE AND TOLD THEM SHE FOUND
LYNN DEAD, SITTING IN HER
RECLINER IN THE LIVING ROOM OF
HER PEWAUKEE, WISCONSIN CONDO.
JESSY HAD BEEN TAKING CARE OF
LYNN WHO HAD SERIOUS MEDICAL
PROBLEMS.
>> THE LAWYERS WILL NOW MAKE
THEIR OPENING STATEMENTS.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.
>> THE PROSECUTORS FOR WAUKESHA
CUNTY ARE DEPUTY DISTRICT ABBEY
NICKOLIE AND ASSISTANT ATTORNEYS
JJ CRAWFORD AND RANDY
SITZBERGER.
>> SO THIS IS WISCONSIN VERSUS
JESSY KURCZEWSKI.
SAID OTHERWISE THIS IS A CASE OF
MURDER, GREED AND LIES.
YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT IN OR
ABOUT OCTOBER 3rd, 2018, LYNN
HERNAN BECAME WORTH MORE DEAD
THAN ALIVE TO JESSY KURCZEWSKI.
>> PROSECUTORS TOLD THE JURY
THAT THIS CASE WAS ABOUT SOMEONE
WHO WANTED MONEY.
>> STEPHANIE RODRIGUEZ COVERED
THE TRIAL FOR THE CBS AFFILIATE
IN MILWAUKEE.
>> PROSECUTORS SAID THAT'S WHY
SHE WAS CARING FOR HER.
NOT BECAUSE SHE GENUINELY CARED
BUT JESSY WANTED THE MONEY IN
HER BANK ACCOUNT.
>> BETWEEN JANUARY 16 AND
OCTOBER 3 OF 2018, MISS
KURCZEWSKI WAS ABLE TO STEAL
$144,000 PLUS.
>> THEN SHE WANTED LYNN DEAD TO
GET THE MONEY FROM HER ESTATE.
>> LYNN HERNAN WAS DEAD AT ONLY
62 YEARS OLD FROM
TETRAHYDROZOLINE POISONING AFTER
THE DEFENDANT GAVE HER A BOTTLE
LACED WITH VISINE EYEDROPS TO
DRINK.
>> THE DEFENSE PRESENTED JESSY
AS A CLOSE FRIEND WHO TOOK CARE
OF LYNN.
WHO THEY CLAIMED WAS DEPRESSED
ABOUT HER DECLINING HEALTH.
>> THIS CASE IS EXTREMELY
IMPORTANT TO JESSY.
PRESUMED INNOCENT.
DON'T EVER LET THAT THOUGHT
LEAVE YOUR MIND.
THAT SHE IS PRESUMED INNOCENT.
>> AT TRIAL, JESSY WAS
REPRESENTED BY DEFENSE ATTORNEYS
PABLO GALAVIZ AND DONNA KUCHEROV
KUCHEROVLER.
>> HERE'S A PICTURE.
HIGH SCHOOL.
>> HE AT THE MENTION OF HER
CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH LYNN --
>> THERE IS MY DAUGHTER.
SHE'S SO PROUD.
>> JESSY IMMEDIATELY TEARED UP.
>> THAT'S WHO SHE IS TO HER.
HER DAUGHTER.
>> JESSY HAD KNOWN LYNN SINCE
CHILDHOOD.
THROUGH HER MOTHER, JENNIFER
FLOWER.
>> JENNIFER IS LIKE HER BEST,
BEST FRIEND.
AND JESSY BECAME HER BEST, BEST
FRIEND.
>> LYNN WHO WORKED MOST OF HER
LIFE AS A HAIRDRESSER NEVER
MARRIED AND LIVED ALONE.
THEN IN THE TWO YEARS BEFORE HER
DEATH, HER HEALTH RAPIDLY
DECLINED.
>> THERE WERE TIMES WHEN LYNN
WOULD FALL IN HER HOME AND JESSY
WOULD HAVE TO GO HELP HER GET
UP.
>> LYNN ALSO HAD LUNG DISEASE,
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, AND SEVERE
GASTROINTESTINAL ISSUES, WHICH
DOCTORS WERE NEVER ABLE TO FULLY
DIAGNOSE.
SHE HAD BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE
HOSPITAL SEVERAL TIMES IN THE
YEAR BEFORE SHE DIED.
>> JESSY WAS ALWAYS WITH LYNN
BECAUSE SHE BECAME HER FULL-TIME
CARE TAKER, ESSENTIALLY.
JESSY WOULD DO THE GROCERY
SHOPPING FOR LYNN.
JESSY PAID LYNN'S BILLS.
>> JESSY WAS THE ONLY PERSON SHE
TRUSTS.
>> THE DEFENSE TOLD THE JURY AS
LYNN'S HEALTH FURTHER
DETERIORATED, SHE BECAME
DESPONDE
DESPONDENT.
>> YOU SAW THE WAY SHE WAS DONE
ONE THE HAIR AND NAILS AND
JEWELRY.
SHE DIDN'T LOOK LIKE THAT
ANYMORE.
SHE DIDN'T WANT ANY MORE
VISITORS.
BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T LOOK, IN HER
MIND, THE SAME.
>> THE DEFENSE ARGUED THAT ON
OCTOBER 3rd, 2018, LYNN WAS
TIRED OF BEING SICK AND DECIDED
TO TAKE HER OWN LIFE.
>> WHEN THEY ARRIVED ON THE
SCENE, THIS IS WHAT THEY FOUND
AT THE SCENE.
THEY FOUND A LOT OF EMPTY
PRESCRIPTION BOTTLES.
AND THEY CAN'T SEE THAT AS A
SUICIDE?
SHE'S INNOCENT.
FIND HER NOT GUILTY.
>> ONE OF THE FIRST ORDERS OF
BUSINESS FOR PROSECUTORS --
>> WE NEXT CALL --
>> WAS TO ESTABLISH THE CAUSE OF
DEATH.
FORMER WAUKESHA PROSECUTOR --
>> THIS IS A CLOSE-UP OF THE
MEDICATION BOTTLES TO HER LEFT.
THERE ARE ADDITIONAL MEDICATIONS
THAT ARE PRESENT.
SOME WITHOUT THEIR CAMS ON.
>> THERE WERE MULTIPLE
MEDICATIONS SCATTERED ON THE
CARPET AS WELL AS A WHITE POWDER
ON THE PLATE AND ON HER CHEST.
THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY SUGGESTS
THE POWDER WAS SPILLED BY ALONE
HERSELF.
>> JESSY TOLD YOU IT WAS COMMON
FOR LYNN TO CRUSH MEDICATIONS
BECAUSE OF HER PROBLEM
SWALLOWING.
THAT'S WHAT SHE TOLD ME.
>> JURORS HEARD FROM CHIEF
MEDICAL EXAMINER DR. LYNDA
BIEDRZYKI WHO TESTIFIED ABOUT
THE PHOTOS TAKEN IN THE LIVING
ROOM.
SHE SAID THE PILLS AND SCATTERED
AT THE SCENE DID POINT TO A
POTENTIAL SUICIDE.
>> THERE WAS A THOUGHT THAT
MAYBE THERE WAS, THAT INGESTION
WAS A POSSIBILITY FOR THE CAUSE
OF DEATH.
>> BUT BEFORE PRONOUNCING THE
CAUSE OF DEATH, DR. BIEDRZYKI
WAITED TO SEE THE RESULTS FROM
THE TOXICOLOGY TESTS.
WHEN SHE RECEIVED THEM WEEKS
LATER, SHE WAS IN FOR A
SURPRISE.
>> THERE WAS A SUBSTANCE THAT I
WAS, IT WAS UNUSUAL.
AN UNUSUAL FINDING THAT I HADN'T
SEEN BEFORE IN A REPORT FROM THE
FACILITY BEFORE.
IT WAS CALLED TETRAHYDROZOLINE.
>> DR. BIEDRZYKI BEGAN HER OWN
RESEARCH ON TETRAHYDROZOLINE.
A DRUG FOUND IN SOME OVER THE
COUNTER EYEDROPS.
>> THIS IS A SUBSTANCE THAT I
HAVEN'T SEEN IN A TOXICOLOGY
REPORT BEFORE.
IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE
BLOOD.
>> BUT HOW DID IT GET THERE?
>>> DOCTOR, WERE YOU INVOLVED IN
THE CAUSE OF DEATH AND MANNER
DETERMINATION FOR LYNN HERNAN?
>> YES.
>> THE MEDICAL EXAMINER TOLD THE
JOOUR IT WAS IN LATE SEPTEMBER
2019, ALMOST A AREA AFTER LYNN
HERNAN'S DEATH, THAT SHE
PUBLISHED HER OFFICIAL
CONCLUSION ABOUT HOW LYNN DIED.
>> THE CAUSE OF DEATH I
DETERMINED WAS TETRAHYDROZOLINE
POISONING.
>> AND DR. BIEDRZYKI RULED THAT
LYNN DID NOT DELIBERATELY DRINK
A FATAL DOSE OF EYEDROPS.
>> HOW THIS INJURY OCCURRED IS
THAT SHE WAS GIVEN
TETRAHYDROZOLINE BY ANOTHER
WHICH IS WHY I CALLED IT A
HOMICIDE.
>> THE BELIEF THAT LYNN HERNAN
WAS GIVEN TETRAHYDROZOLINE BY
ANOTHER SHOWS THAT SHE WAS GIVEN
THIS UNSUSPECTINGLY.
SHE DIDN'T KNOW THAT SHE WAS
INGESTING TETRAHYDROZOLINE WHEN
SHE DID IT.
>> THE DEFENSE CHALLENGED THE
MEDICAL EXAMINER'S FINDINGS.
>> THESE ARE ALL THE DRUGS FOUND
IN MISS HERNAN, CORRECT?
>> CORRECT.
>> TOXICOLOGY REPORTS SUPPOSED
THAT SHE HAD AT LEAST EIGHT
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS IN HER
SYSTEM.
SOME OF WHICH LYNN WAS NOT
SUPPOSED TO BE TAKING AT THE
TIME BECAUSE THOSE MEDICATIONS
HAD BEEN DISCONTINUED BY LYNN'S
DOCTORS.
>> AND THESE WERE ALL IN HER
BLOOD WHICH MEANS THEY'VE
ALREADY BEEN INGESTED AND MADE
IT INTO THE BLOOD STREAM.
>> TRUE.
>> DR. BIEDRZYKI SAID THAT IN
HER DETERMINATION, THOSE
MEDICATIONS, ALONG WITH SOME OF
LYNN'S MEDICAL CONDITIONS,
CONTRIBUTED TO BUT DID NOT CAUSE
LYNN'S DEATH.
>> THE MEDICATIONS FOUND IN
LYNN'S BODY WERE ALL AT
THERAPEUTIC LEVELS.
>> YOUR CONCLUSION WAS THAT SHE
DIED FROM THE TETRAHYDROZOLINE,
RIGHT?
>> YES.
>> BUT THE DEFENSE ASKED, HOW
COULD THE MEDICAL EXAMINER BE SO
CERTAIN LYNN DID NOT INGEST THE
EYEDROPS ON HER OWN?
>> YOU DON'T KNOW, AS YOU SIT
THERE TODAY, WHETHER SHE
VOLUNTARILY INGESTED THAT.
>> IT WAS MY OPINION SHE DIDN'T,
BUT KNOWLEDGE OF HER ACTION, NO.
>> YOU WEREN'T THERE.
>> I WASN'T THERE.
>> ON REDIRECT, DEPUTY D.A.
NICKOLIE ASKED ABOUT THE POWDER
FOUND ON AND NEAR LYNN'S BODY.
>> WHAT DO YOU THINK HAPPENED?
>> I THINK THAT THEY MAY HAVE
BEEN DEPOSITED THERE.
>> THE MEDICAL EXAMINER BELIEVED
THAT LYNN HERNAN'S BODY WAS
STAGED TO LOOK LIKE AN OVERDOSE
BECAUSE TOXICOLOGY REPORTS
SHOWED THAT NONE OF THE CRUSHED
MEDICATION THAT WAS FOUND ON
LYNN HERNAN AND NEXT TO HER WAS
ACTUALLY IN HER SYSTEM.
>> THE FOLLOWING DAY --
>> THE NEXT WITNESS.
>> THE JURY HEARD FROM SOME OF
LYNN'S FRIENDS.
>> DID YOU KNOW LYNN HERNAN?
>> YES, I DID.
>> JIM KELLEHER MET HER AT A
MAKE FESTIVAL IN 1983.
WHEN SHE WAS 27.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION?
>> THAT LADY THAT LOOKED THAT
GOOD WOULDN'T GO OUT WITH ME.
>> BUT LYNN SAID YES, AND THEIR
ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP LASTED TEN
YEARS.
EVEN AFTER IT ENDED, THEY
REMAINED CLOSE FRIENDS.
>> LYNN WAS A BEAUTIFUL LADY
INSIDE AND OUT, SHE WAS
BEAUTIFUL.
>> HE SAID HE NEVER MET JESSY
UNTIL RIGHT AFTER LYNN DIED.
>> I GET A PHONE CALL FROM JESSY
AND SHE SAYS I HAVE SOME BAD
NEWS.
LYNN COMMITTED SUICIDE.
AND BY THE WAY, WE'RE GOING TO
HAVE A DINNER FOR HER ON THE
13th AT THE OPEN FLAME
RESTAURANT.
>> SHE SAID, IN ONE SENTENCE --
>> CORRECT.
>> YOUR DEAR FRIEND DIED BY
SUICIDE.
THE NEXT SENTENCE SHE TELLS YOU
THERE'S GOING TO BE A DINNER IN
HER MEMORY.
>> RIGHT.
>> WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF THAT?
>> I KIND OF DIDN'T BELIEVE HER
RIGHT OFF THE BAT.
SHE WASN'T CRYING.
>> ON THE STAND, JIM SAID HE
DIDN'T BELIEVE LYNN WOULD HAVE
TAKEN HER OWN LIFE.
>> DID YOU EVER HEAR LYNN SAY
ANYTHING TO YOU ABOUT THINKING
OF KILLING HERSELF?
>> NO.
I DID NOT.
SHE NEVER GAVE ME ANY INDICATION
OF SUICIDAL, NEVER.
>> HE SAID DESPITE HER GROWING
FRUSTRATION WITH HER HEALTH
PROBLEMS, LYNN WOULD STILL VISIT
HIM AND HIS GIRLFRIEND AT THEIR
HOME.
>> DID SHE BRING TREATS AND
STUFF?
SHE WOULD SAY SHE HAD STOMACH
ACHES OR WHATEVER AND SHE WOULD
ALWAYS LEAVE.
>> THE DEFENSE QUESTIONED
WHETHER JIM REALLY KNEW MUCH
ABOUT LYNN'S HEALTH STRUGGLES.
IN THE LAST YEAR OF LYNN'S LIFE,
SHE HAD BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE
HOSPITAL, DISCHARGED THE FINAL
TIME JUST FIVE DAYS BEFORE HER
DEATH.
>> DID YOU OFFER TO GO OVER
THERE AND TAKE CARE OF HER CAT
WHEN SHE WAS IN THE HOSPITAL?
>> NO.
I DID NOT.
>> YOU DIDN'T GO VISIT HER.
>> NO.
I DID NOT.
>> PROSECUTORS ALSO CALLED
KOREEN POZZA.
>> WE WERE BEST FRIENDS FOR
ABOUT 35 PLUS YEARS.
>> AND HER SON ANTHONY WHO SAID
HE ALWAYS HAD A SPECIAL BOND
WITH LYNN SINCE CHILDHOOD.
WHAT DID YOU CALL LYNN?
>> AUNTIE LYNNIE.
>> ANTHONY SAID HE STAYED CLOSE
TO LYNN, REGULARLY DROPPING BY
HER CONDO WHILE HE ATTENDED
COLLEGE NEARBY.
>> I LOVED DOING STUFF WITH HER.
THRIFT STORE SHOPPING.
IT WAS A DATE WE WOULD GO ON IS
THRIFT STORE SHOPPING.
>> DO YOU RECALL WHEN THE LAST
CONVERSATION YOU HAD WITH LYNN
WAS?
>> THE LAST TIME I SAW LYNN WAS
A MONTH BEFORE SHE PASSED AWAY.
>> ANTHONY TESTIFIED THAT
DESPITE HER MEDICAL TROUBLES,
LYNN APPEARED TO BE IMPROVING.
>> SHE SAID SHE WAS STARTING TO
FEEL BETTER AND SHE SAID I'M
GLAD I'M GETTING OUT AGAIN AND
WE NEED TO DO THIS MORE OFTEN.
>> PROSECUTORS ASKED WAUKESHA
COUNTY SHERIFF'S DETECTIVE CHRIS
KOHL ABOUT HIS INVESTIGATION
INTO LYNN'S DEATH.
>> DID YOU SPEAK WITH MISS
KURCZEWSKI IN REGARD TO THIS
DEATH INVESTIGATION?
>> YES.
SHE CONTACTED OUR OFFICE LOOKING
FOR AN UPDATE.
>> PROSECUTORS INTRODUCED VIDEO
OF THAT MEETING WITH DETECTIVE
KOHL.
HE TESTIFIED THAT FIVE MONTHS
AFTER LYNN DIED, BEFORE THE
MEDICAL EXAMINER HAD RULED ON
THE CAUSE OF DEATH, JESSY CAME
TO THE SHERIFF WITH HER MOTHER
JENNIFER FLOWER ASKING
QUESTIONS.
>> WHEN I TALKED TO THE MEDICAL
EXAMINER LAST -- WELL, I TALKED
TO HER NUMEROUS TIME AND THEY
SAID I HAD TO CONTACT YOU GUYS.
THEY WEREN'T SURE WE DIDN'T KNOW
IF IT WAS A SUICIDE OR SOMETHING
MEDICAL.
>> SO AT THIS POINT, I MEAN,
THEY'RE WAITING FOR THEIR
SECONDARY, THEY'RE CALLED
CONFIRMING TESTS.
>> DURING THAT INTERVIEW,
DETECTIVE KOHL FOUND OUT MORE
ABOUT JESSY'S RELATIONSHIP WITH
LYNN.
>> SHE WAS LIKE AN AUNT, A
SECOND MOM TO ME.
SHE DIDN'T HAVE KIDS.
>> YOU KNEW HER YOUR WHOLE LIFE?
THAT'S WHY YOU WERE HELPING OUT?
>> JESSY SAID SHE WAS JUST ABOUT
THE ONLY PERSON STILL IN LYNN'S
LIFE BEFORE SHE DIED.
>> SHE PRETTY MUCH BLEW
EVERYBODY OFF POSSIBLE AT THE
END.
>> ACCORDING TO JESSY AND HER
MOTHER, LYNN WAS SO WITHDRAWN,
SHE DID NOT WANT TO TALK TO HER
FRIEND JIM WHEN HE CALLED.
>> SHE SAID, TELL HIM I DON'T
WANT TO SEE HIM.
>> SHE DIDN'T LIKE THE WAY SHE
LOOKED SO SHE DIDN'T WANT PEOPLE
AROUND.
>> THAT'S NOT HOW JIM REMEMBERS
WHAT HAPPENED WHEN HE AND HIS
GIRLFRIEND CALLED LYNN'S NUMBER.
>> THIS GIRL ANSWERED THE PHONE
AND SHE WAS KIND OF MOUTHING OFF
TO US.
DON'T USE THIS PHONE.
DON'T CALL THIS NUMBER EVER
AGAIN.
DON'T WORRY ABOUT LYNN.
>> AND YOU'RE THINKING, WHAT?
>> I HAVE TO FIND OUT FROM LYNN
WHAT'S GOING ON.
>> A FEW DAYS LATER, JIM SAYS
LYNN CALLED HIM FROM THE
HOSPITAL AND THEY AGREED TO MAKE
PLANS TO GET TOGETHER WHEN SHE
WENT HOME.
>> AND THAT'S THE LAST TIME THAT
I HEARD LYNN'S VOICE.
>> AS THEY TRIED TO MAKE SENSE
OF HER DEATH, LYNN'S FRIENDS SAY
THEY RECALLED LYNN TALKING ABOUT
SOMETHING ELSE THAT WAS
TROUBLING HER.
SOMETHING THAT HAD NOTHING TO DO
WITH HER HEALTH.
>> SHE WOULD TALK ABOUT HER
MONEY.
IT IS DISAPPEARING.
>> SHE JUST SAID I DON'T KNOW
WHAT'S HAPPENING TO MY MONEY.
>>> HOW DO YOU THINK LYNN HERNAN
DIED?
>>> DID MISS KURCZEWSKI TELL YOU
WHO WOULD BE IN CHARGE OF
HANDLING LYNN'S ESTATE?
>> YEAH.
SHE SAID SHE WAS APPOINTED POWER
OF ATTORNEY.
>> AS THE PROSECUTION TURNED TO
THE CHARGES THAT JESSY STOLE
MONEY FROM LYNN, THEY ASKED
ANTHONY POZZA ABOUT HIS
COMMUNICATIONS WITH JESSY AND
THE MONTHS AFTER LYNN'S DEATH.
>> I WOULD JUST CHECK UP WITH
JESSY ONCE IN A WHILE AND ASKED
HER IF SHE NEEDED ANY HELP.
>> LYNN LEFT A WILL SHE HAD
DRAWN UP IN 2016 WHICH NAMED
JESSY AS PERSONAL
REPRESENTATIVE.
WISCONSIN'S EQUIVALENT OF AN
EXECUT
EXECUTOR.
JESSY AND ANTHONY WERE
CO-BENEFICIARIES.
WHEN JESSY SENT ANTHONY OF
ACCOUNTS SHE WAS SETTLING --
>> I REMEMBER GETTING A FINAL
ACCOUNT WITH JUST A BUNCH OF
CREDIT CARD BILLS.
>> HE WAS SURPRISED AT THE
AMOUNT OF MONEY LYNN APPEARED TO
OWE.
>> IT WAS JUST WEIRD HOW SHE HAD
ALL THESE DEBTS THAT DIDN'T MAKE
ANY SENSE TO ME.
>> LYNN'S FRIENDS REMEMBERED HER
AS LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK
UNTIL 2014 WHEN SHE INHERITED
$250,000 AFTER HER MOTHER DIED.
NOW, AFTER LYNN'S DEATH, JESSY
REPORTED TO ANTHONY THAT MOST OF
LYNN'S ASSETS HAD BEEN EATEN
AWAY BY DEBT.
>> I JUST FELT LIKE SOMETHING
WAS UP AND I WANTED IT LOOKED AT
MORE CLOSELY.
>> THE JURY NEXT HEARD FROM
SOMEONE WHO WAS LOOKING MORE
CLOSELY.
>> YOU WENT THROUGH ALL THESE
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS LINE BY LINE,
IS THAT CORRECT?
>> YES.
>> DETECTIVE NATHAN PLENNES
TESTIFIED ABOUT THE
INVESTIGATION INTO LYNN'S
FINANCES.
PROSECUTORS ALLEGED JESSY STOLE
MORE THAN $200,000 FROM LYNN
BEFORE AND AFTER SHE DIED.
AND IN THE COURSE OF THEIR
INVESTIGATION, DETECTIVES
DISCOVERED A BOMBSHELL.
JESSY KURCZEWSKI HAD A CRIMINAL
RECORD.
BACK IN 2011, JESSY WAS
CONVICTED ON CHARGES OF IDENTITY
THEFT AND FORGERY, AND SENTENCED
TO EIGHT YEARS.
JESSY HAD BEEN RELEASED FROM
PRISON EARLY IN 2016 ON EXTENDED
SUPERVISION, WHICH COINCIDED
WITH THE TIME LYNN'S HEALTH
BEGAN TO DECLINE.
>> CAN YOU SCROLL DOWN TO PAGE
3?
>> PLENNES TOLD JURORS WHAT HE
LEARNED ABOUT LYNN HERNAN'S BANK
ACCOUNTS.
HE TESTIFIED THAT LYNN'S MONEY
MARKET ACCOUNT WHICH HAD AROUND
$250,000 IN 2016 WAS DOWN TO
ONLY $87 JUST AFTER SHE DIED.
A FRACTION OF THE TOTAL WAS
SPENT BY LYNN ON A JEEP AND SOME
JEWELRY.
ALMOST EVERYTHING ELSE,
INCLUDING A TOTAL OF 20
CHECKS --
>> $9935.62 --
>> WENT TO JESSY KURCZEWSKI.
>> TWO CHECKS.
7,000 -- 9,000 --
>> JESSY WAS ACCUSED OF STEALING
FROM LYNN BECAUSE SHE WAS
GETTING 20 COLLECTION OUT OF THE
ACCOUNT WITH VARIOUS MEMOS LIKE
IRS PAYMENT, CAR PAYMENT.
>> STEPHANIE RODRIGUEZ COVERED
THE TRIAL FOR THE CBS AFFILIATE.
>> BUT NONE OF THE MONEY WAS
GOING TO THE PLACES WHERE LYNNED
INTENDED FOR THEM TO GO.
>> PLENNES DESCRIBED TO THE JURY
HOW HE MATCHED EACH OF THOSE
COLLECTION TO DEPOSITS IN
JESSY'S ACCOUNTS AND THEN
TRACKED WHERE JESSY SPENT THAT
MONEY.
THERE WAS A BIG SPIKE IN
SPENDING WHILE LYNN WAS IN THE
HOSPITAL.
TWO WEEKS BEFORE SHE DIED.
>> DURING HER LAST HOSPITAL
STAY, MONEY WAS BEING
TRANSFERRED FROM LYNN'S ACCOUNT
INTO JESSY'S ACCOUNT, AND THEN
JESSY WAS WITHDRAWING THAT MONEY
FROM ATMs AT A LOCAL CASINO.
>> PLENNES ALSO TESTIFIED THAT
ON THE DAY THAT LYNN DIED, A
JCPENNEY CARD WAS OPENED IN
LYNN'S NAME.
JUST DAYS LATER, AGO $3,000
PURCHASE OF FURNITURE MADE ON
ANOTHER CREDIT CARD IN LYNN'S
NAME WAS DELIVERED TO THE HOME
JESSY SHARED WITH SCOTT.
>> MR. SCOTT, HOW IS IT YOU KNOW
HER?
>> WE WERE BOYFRIEND AND
GIRLFRIEND FOR THREE AND A HALF
YEARS.
>> WHAT WAS IT THAT HAPPENED IN
THE SUMMER OF 2019 THAT CAUSED
THAT END TO THE RELATIONSHIP?
>> WHEN THE WAUKESHA SHERIFF'S
DEPARTMENT CAME TO MAY HOUSE AND
TOOK HER AWAY.
>> JESSY WAS ARRESTED FOR
POTENTIALLY VIOLATING THE TERM
OF HER ASSUME ADVISED RELEASE ON
THE IDENTITY THEFT AND FRAUD
CHARGES.
>> THIS IS THE INITIAL INTERVIEW
CONDUCTED WITH MISS KURCZEWSKI
ONCE THE WARRANTS WERE CONDUCTED
ON JULY 9th?
>> DETECTIVE AARON HOPPE, THE
LEAD INVESTIGATOR IN THE CASE,
AND DETECTIVE CHRIS KOHL,
INTERVIEWED JESSY.
HOPPE WATCHED PORTIONS OF THE
INTERVIEW I KNOW WHAT THE
JURORS.
>> TYPICALLY, THE MORNING OR THE
NIGHT --
>> I DIDN'T HAVE A SET -- IT
JUST DEPENDED ON HOW SHE WAS
DOING THE DAY BEFORE.
>> FOLLOWING UP ON THE
SUPPOSITION THAT SHE WAS
STEALING, THEY GAVE HER A CHANCE
TO EXPLAIN.
SHE CLAIMED LYNN HAD BEEN PAYING
HER FOR HELPING AT HOME.
>> IT WAS ALL --
>> AN OFFICIAL ARRANGEMENT?
>> NO.
NO.
THERE WAS NOTHING, NO, NOTHING
LIKE THAT.
THERE WAS NO, YOU KNOW, ONE DAY,
HERE'S A CHECK.
OE DAY, HERE'S MY CARD.
GO GET THIS.
ONE DAY -- IT WAS NO, NO SET --
SHE SAID I'M GOING TO PAY RENTAL
OR PAY YOUR CAR.
>> JURORS WATCHED AS DETECTIVE
KOHL FOR THE FIRST TIME SHARED
LYNN'S AUTOPSY RESULTS WITH
JESSY.
>> THERE'S AN ANOMALY IN HER
TOXICOLOGY.
A DRUG IN HER SYSTEM THAT'S NOT
SUPPOSED TO BE THERE.
>> WHAT WOULD THAT BE?
>> IT IS CALLED
TETRAHYDROZOLINE.
>> WHAT IS THAT?
>> COMMONLY KNOWN AS EYEDROPS.
>> SHE USED EYEDROPS ALL THE
TIME.
>> WHAT DID SHE USE THEM FOR?
>> FOR HER EYES.
SHE PUT THEM IN HER EYES ALL THE
TIME.
>> WHAT KILLED HER IS THE
EYEDROPS.
>> ARE YOU SERIOUS?
>> IN THE INTERVIEW HE TOLD
JESSY THAT THE MEDICAL EXAMINER
THOUGHT SOMEONE GAVE THE
EYEDROPS TO LYNN ORALLY IN AN
ATTEMPT TO KILL HER.
>> DO YOU THINK I MURDERED HER?
>> DID YOU?
>> I SWEAR TO GOD I DIDN'T.
>> YOU HAD THE MOST TO GAIN ON
THIS.
>> I HAVE NO REASON TO MURDER
HER.
I DIDN'T GIVE HER ANYTHING.
I DIDN'T GIVE HER THE EYEDROP OR
WHATEVER IT'S CALLED.
>> BUT DETECTIVES SAY JESSY KNEW
ALL ABOUT TETRAHYDROZOLINE.
SHE TOLD HER BOYFRIEND SCOTT IN
TEXT MESSAGES, SOMEONE HAD PUT
IT IN HER DRINK WHEN SHE WAS AT
A BAR ABOUT THREE MONTHS AFTER
LYNN'S DEATH.
DETECTIVE HOPPE READ THE TEXTS
IN COURT.
>> JESSY TOLD SCOTT, SCOTT, I
DON'T FEEL GOOD.
>> SCOTT TOLD DETECTIVES, JESSY
SAID SHE WENT TO THE HOSPITAL.
>> SHE SAID MY BLOOD PRESSURE IS
REALLY BAD.
I HAVE TRACES OF
TETRAHYDROZOLINE IN MY BLOOD.
THE DOCTOR SAID THAT'S THE MAIN
INGREDIENT IN EYEDROPS.
HE SAID THAT PEOPLE PUT IT IN
PEOPLE'S DRINKS ALL THE TIME.
HE SAID THERE'S NO TASTE TO IT
AND PEOPLE DON'T NOTICE.
>> JESSY ALSO TELLS SCOTT IN
THOSE TEXT MESSAGES THAT PEOPLE
CAN DIE FROM TETRAHYDROZOLINE
POISONING.
>>> DETECTIVE HOPPE, I THINK YOU
TESTIFIED YOU SPOKE AGAIN WITH
MISS KURCZEWSKI?
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> ON DAY NINE OF THE TRIAL, THE
JURY WATCHED VIDEO OF ANOTHER
INTERVIEW BETWEEN JESSY AND
DETECTIVES.
THIS ONE TOOK PLACE THE DAY
AFTER SHE WAS ARRESTED ONLY
PAROLE.
SHE ASKED TO SPEAK TO DETECTIVES
AGAIN.
>> I WASSEDING OF EVERYTHING AND
ANYTHING.
>> AFTER SPENDING HER FIRST
NIGHT IN JAIL, JESSY'S CLOTHING
THAT CHANGED AND SO HAD HER
STORY.
RIGHT AFTER HER ARREST, JESSY
HAD TOLD DETECTIVES THAT LYNN
USED EYEDROPS FOR DRY EYES.
NOW, JESSY TOLD DETECTIVE HOPPE
THAT LYNN HAD ANOTHER USE FOR
IT.
>> SHE WAS DRINKING VODKA AND
VISINE.
>> DURING THE SECOND DAY OF
INTERVIEWS, THE JURY HEARD JESSY
TELL THEM THAT LYNN DID DRINK
VISINE.
>> HOW DO YOU KNOW SHE MIXED IT
WITH HER VODKA?
>> BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT SHE DID.
>> WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL US
YESTERDAY?
>> I DIDN'T WANT TO TELL YOU
GUYS.
YOU MADE IT SOUNDED LIKE SHE WAS
DOING IT THE DAY OFF.
>> SHE SAID SHE NEVER GAVE HER
ANY VISINE.
>> NEVER.
>> SHE PUT VISINE IN HER VODKA.
>> SLEGS INTO DETAIL ABOUT HOW
LYNN WANTED TO DIE BY SUICIDE.
THAT LYNN WAS USING THE EYEDROPS
TO HELP HER DIE BY SUICIDE.
>> SHE WAS LOOKING FOR HER WAY
OUT.
>> JESSY VEHEMENTLY DENIED
HELPING LYNN DIED.
>> I NEVER MIXED IT.
I SWEAR TO GOD.
I BOUGHT IT TO HOME RUN AND I
KNEW SHE WAS MIXING IT.
SHE PUT IN IT HER VODKA ONCE IN
A WHILE.
>> THE FOLLOWING DAY JESSY ASKED
TO SPEAK TO DETECTIVES YET
AGAIN.
THE THIRD TIME IN THREE DAYS.
THE JURY WATCHED AS JESSY HAD A
NEW REVELATION FOR THE
INVESTIGATORS.
>> JESSY TELLS DETECTIVES THAT
LYNN WOULD GET A BUZZ OFF
DRINKING VISINE.
>> SHE SAID SHE LOST THE FEELING
OF HER BODY.
IT MADE HER FEEL GOOD.
AND SHE WAS DOING IT FOR SO
LONG.
I DIDN'T THINK SHE WOULD DIE
FROM IT.
I REALLY DIDN'T.
I THOUGHT SHE IS GETTING SOME
SLEEP FROM IT.
SHE WAS DOING IT FOR TWO MONTHS
AT LEAST.
>> DOING WHAT?
>> THE VISINE.
>> AND JESSY NOW SAID THAT LYNN
DID DRINK VISINE THE DAY SHE
DIED.
JESSY CLAIMED WHEN SHE VISITED
LYNN THAT MORNING, JESSY KNEW
LYNN HAD POURED SIX BOTTLES OF
VISINE INTO HER OWN WATER
BOTTLE.
>> THAT BOTTLE RIGHT THERE HAD
SIX VISINES.
I DIDN'T PUT IT IN THERE.
I GAVE HER THE BOTTLE OF WATER.
>> WHICH IS THE ONE YOU KNOW HAS
SIX BOTTLES OF VISINE IN IT.
BECAUSE SHE TOLD YOU.
AND YOU GAVE IT TO HER.
>> WE ARGUED ABOUT IT.
>> JESSY SAID SHE SPENT TEN
MINUTES TRYING TO STOP LYNN.
>> SHE SAID I WANT THAT BOTTLE
OF WATER.
IT WILL PUT ME TO SLEEP.
>> AND YOU GAVE IN.
>> HER CHOICE.
WHAT SHE WANTED.
>> AND THEN YOU LEFT.
>> YEP.
>> HOURS LATER, DETECTIVES
ALLEGE JESSY OPEN THAT JCPENNEY
CARD IN LYNN'S NAME AND WENT
GROCERY SHOPPING.
>> I DIDN'T DO IT TO HER.
I DIDN'T.
>> IT WOULD BE 23 MONTHS LATER
THAT JESSY KURCZEWSKI WAS
CHARGED WITH LYNN'S DEATH.
>> DOES THE STATE HAVE ANY OTHER
WITNESSES TO CALL?
>> NO.
THE STATE RESTS.
>> WHEN IT WAS THE DEFENSE'S
TURN, JESSY'S ATTORNEYS FOCUSED
ALMOST SOLELY ON THE CLAIM THAT
LYNN DIED BY SUICIDE BY DRINKING
VISINE.
>> WE WOULD CALL GARY VERDIN.
>> VERDIN, A FRIEND OF JESSY'S
MOTHER.
EMHE HAD BEEN IN LYNN'S CONDO
TWICE.
THE SECOND TIME ABOUT A YEAR
BEFORE HER DEATH.
YET HIS MEMORY OF THE VISIT WAS
CLEAR.
>> I SAW HER ALWAYS SITTING IN
THIS CHAIR, WITH A TABLE NEXT TO
HER.
SHE HAD A WHITE SLURPY CUP WITH
A STRAW COMING OUT OF IT.
SHE HAD A BOTTLE OF VODKA NEXT
TO IT.
SHE HAD AN ASHTRAY, HER
CIGARETTES, AND A BOTTLE OF
VISINE.
>> ARE YOU SURE IT'S VISINE?
>> YES.
>> VERDIN TESTIFIED ON ANOTHER
OCCASION, HE HEARD LYNN ON
SPEAKER PHONE WHEN HE VISITED
JESSY'S MOTHER JENNIFER.
>> JUST STARTED RAMBLING OFF.
SHE WAS EITHER SLEEPY OR TIRED
OR WHATEVER.
SHE WAS RATTLING OFF ABOUT THE
WILL.
AND SHE STARTED TALKING ABOUT
HOW SHE WANTED TO KILL HERSELF.
>> THE DEFENSE CALLS --
>> SARAH IS A NURSE PRACTITIONER
WHO BEGAN TREATING LYNN FOR BACK
PAIN IN 2017.
DESPITE PRESCRIBING SEVERAL PAIN
MEDICATIONS FOR HER, TROMP SAID
LYNN DID NOT IMPROVE.
>> ON THE 18th OF JANUARY, SHE
CONTINUES TO COMPLAIN ABOUT HER
BACK PAIN.
>> YES.
>> THE PAIN BEING WORSENING?
>> YES.
>> FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST LINDSEY
THOMAS WAS HIRED BY THE DEFENSE.
>> I WOULD SAY HER PAST MEDICAL
HISTORY WAS VERY SIGNIFICANT.
SHE HAD A VERY LONG LIST OF
MEDICAL CONDITIONS, AND ALSO HAD
QUITE A FEW PSYCHIATRIC
DISORDERS.
DEPRESSION, ANXIETY,
AGORAPHOBIA, WHICH IS FEAR OF
PUBLIC PLACES.
CHRONIC INSOMNIA.
THOSE WERE THE ONES THAT WERE
LISTED IN HER MEDICAL RECORDS.
>> DR. THOMAS TESTIFIED SHE
AGREED WITH THE STATE'S
CONCLUSION THAT LYNN'S MEDICAL
PROBLEMS CONTRIBUTED TO HER
DEATH.
SHE DID NOT AGREE WITH THE
STATE'S FINDING THAT LYNN DIED
FROM TETRAHYDROZOLINE POISONING.
>> THE FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST THAT
THE DEFENSE BROUGHT UP SAID
LYNN'S CAUSE OF DEATH WAS
UNDETERMINED BUT SHE BELIEVED IT
WAS MIXED DRUG TOXICITY.
THAT MEAN SHE THOUGHT IT WAS A
COMBINATION OF ALL THE DRUGS
FOUND IN LYNN'S SYSTEM.
>> WOULD YOU SAY THAT THERE IS
STRONG EVIDENCE HERE THAT LYNN
HERNAN'S DEATH WAS A SUICIDE?
>> I WOULD SAY THERE IS STRONG
EVIDENCE THAT IT CERTAINLY COULD
HAVE BEEN A SUICIDE, YES.
>> AS THE DEFENSE CONCLUDED,
JUDGE JENNIFER DOROW ASKED JESSY
IF SHE WOULD BE TAKING THE
STAND.
>> WHAT WAS THAT DECISION?
>> IT WAS VERY HARD FOR ME TO
DECIDE BUT ULTIMATELY I WILL NOT
BE TESTIFYING.
>> IN HER CLOSING ARGUMENT --
>> MISS KURCZEWSKI'S INTENT WAS
CLEAR.
IT WAS TO KILL.
>> DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY
ABBEY NICKOLIE SAID JESSY HAD
JUST ONE MOTIVE.
MONEY.
>> AND THE MOTIVE IS HER OWN
PERSONAL BENEFIT.
THIS IS SOMEONE WHO HAS PROFITED
OVER $144,000 BEFORE DEATH, AND
OVER $80,000 AFTER.
>> IN HER CLOSING --
>> THE STATE HAS NOT PROVEN
FIRST DEGREE INTENTIONAL
HOMICIDE.
>> THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY DONNA
CUPLER MAINTAIN THAT HAD SHE
TOOK HER OWN LIFE.
>> JESSY KNEW SHE WOULD TAKE
VISINE AND DRINK IT.
SHE DOESN'T KNOW HOW SHE DIED
THAT DAY.
IT LOOKED LIKE A SUICIDE WITH
PILLS FROM A PERSON WHO WAS
UNHAPPY.
>> AS FOR THE ALLEGATIONS THAT
JESSY STOLE FROM LYNN --
>> LYNN GAVE JESSY MONEY ALL THE
TIME BECAUSE SHE WANTED TO.
>> THE DEFENSE CONTENDED THAT
LYNN GAVE JESSY THE MONEY
BECAUSE SHE KNEW SHE WAS GOING
TO END HER OWN LIFE.
>> SHE WANTED JESSY TO HAVE IT.
SHE KNOW SHE'S GOING OUT.
AND LYNN MADE A DECISION.
SHE MADE A DECISION THAT SHE WAS
GOING TO EXIT.
AND SHE DID THAT ON OCTOBER 3rd
ONCE JESSY HAD LEFT THE HOME.
>> IN ITS REBUTTAL, THE
PROSECUTION PUSHED BACK.
>> TO BELIEVE THAT THIS WS A
SUICIDE, YOU WOULD HAVE TO
BELIEVE THAT BY THE MOST COSMIC
INTERVENTION IN THE ENTIRE
WORLD, IT HAPPENED AT THE EXACT
POINT IN TIME WHEN MISS
KURCZEWSKI MAXIMIZED THE AMOUNT
OF MONEY THAT SHE MADE ON THIS
WHOLE ORDEAL.
>> THE JURY DELIBERATED FOR
SEVEN HOURS THE FIRST DAY, BUT
DID NOT REACH A VERDICT.
>> VERDICT WATCH FOR THIS CASE
WAS TENSE.
WHEN THE JURY BEGAN TO
DELIBERATE INTO A SECOND DAY,
THERE WAS SOME WONDER.
>> THAT'S WHEN I GOT WORRIED.
I WAS WONDERING, WHAT'S THE
HOLD-UP?
>>> MADAM FLOOR PERSON, HAS THE
JURY REACHED THEIR VERDICT?
>> YES.
>> ON NOVEMBER 14, OF 2023,
AFTER TEN AND A HALF HOURS OF
DELIBERATION, JESSY KURCZEWSKI
STEADIED HERSELF AS JUDGE
JENNIFER DOROW READ THE JURY'S
VERDICTS.
>> WE THE JURY FIND THE
DEFENDANT JESSY R. KURCZEWSKI
GUILTY OF FIRST DEGREE
INTENTIONAL HOMICIDE.
>> JESSY BROKE DOWN AS THE JUDGE
CONTINUED.
>> JESSY WAS CRYING
UNCONTROLLAB
UNCONTROLLABLY.
>> KURCZEWSKI WAS ALSO CONVICTED
ON THE TWO COUNTS OF FELONY
THEFT FOR STEALING MONEY FROM
LYNN BEFORE AND AFTER SHE DIED.
>> I WAS JUST OVERCOME WITH
EMOTION.
IT MAKES YOU REFLECT ON THE LAST
FIVE YEARS WITH LIES AND THE
DECEIT.
>> BEFORE SENTENCING, THE CASE
TOOK A BIZARRE TURN.
WHEN AN ENVELOPE CONTAINING 37
PAGES OF THESE HAND WRITTEN
LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS WAS
RECEIVED BY A FRIEND OF JESSY'S,
WHO THEN TURNED IT OVER TO THE
SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.
>> THE LETTER REQUESTS A FRIEND
OF JESSY TO FAKE EVIDENCE,
CREATE A VOICE RECORDING
PRETENDING TO BE LYNN HERNAN TO
SEND ALL OF THIS TO THE JUDGE IN
THIS CASE TO LOCAL MEDIA, EVEN
TO THE GOVERNOR, TO TRY TO PROVE
JESSY'S INNOCENCE.
>> PROSECUTORS THAT THE
DOCUMENTS WERE WRITTEN BY
KURCZEWSKI ON THE BACK OF HER
TRIAL NOTES, GIVING DIRECTIONS
TO HER FRIEND ON HOW TO
IMPERSONATE LYNN AND FABRIC ATE
MATERIALS AND SUBMIT THEM TO THE
COURT.
KURCZEWSKI ALLEGEDLY ASKED HER
FRIEND TO, QUOTE, MAKE A VOICE
TAPE PRETENDING TO BE LYNN,
WRITING, SHE HAS AN OLDER, RASPY
FEMALE VOICE.
KURCZEWSKI ALLEGEDLY DIRECTED
HER FRIEND TO SAY, QUOTE, I
CANNOT GO ON ANYMORE.
I CLOSE TO DRINK VISINE AND END
MY LIFE.
JESSY DENIED WRITING THE
DOCUMENTS, AND THE SHERIFF'S
DEPARTMENT BEGAN AN
INVESTIGATION INTO THEIR ORIGIN.
AND THE RESULTS OF THAT
INVESTIGATION WERE REVEALED ON
APRIL 5th, 2024.
WHEN KURCZEWSKI WAS BACK IN
JUDGE DOROW'S COURT FOR
SENTENCING.
>> ALL RISE.
>> PROSECUTORS PLAYED VIDEO
RECORDED IN KURCZEWSKI'S BUNK
ROOM AT THE WAUKESHA COUNTY JAIL
A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE DOCUMENTS
WERE TURNED OVER TO AUTHORITIES.
>> SO WHAT I'M PLAYING IS JAIL
VIDEO FROM MISS KURCZEWSKI'S
POD.
>> THEY SAID IT SHOWED
KURCZEWSKI PUTTING PAPERS INTO
AN ENVELOPE, LEAVING IT ON THE
BED OF ANOTHER INMATE WHO LATER
TAKES IT TO A MAIL DROP-OFF.
THE PROSECUTION SAID THIS PROVED
KURCZEWSKI WROTE THOSE
DOCUMENTS.
>> THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO
ADDRESS THE COURT.
WHAT IF ANYTHING WOULD YOU LIKE
TO SAY?
>> KURCZEWSKI AGAIN DENIED SHE
WAS THE AUTHOR OF THOSE
DOCUMENTS.
SHE SPENT ALMOST TWO HOURS
WITHOUT A BREAK PROCLAIMING HER
INNOCENCE, INSISTING THE ONLY
THING SHE WAS GUILTY OF WAS
BEING A LOYAL FRIEND.
>> LET'S BE VERY CLEAR HERE.
I DIDN'T COMMIT MURDER.
I DID NOT POISON LYNN, GIVE HER
PILLS OR ANYTHING ELSE.
IT IS A LOT TO BE CONVICTED OF
MURDER WHEN I DIDN'T DO IT.
YOU'RE HOLDING ME RESPONSIBLE
FR WHAT SHE DID.
>> JUDGE DOROW SAID SHE BELIEVED
LYNN'S DEATH WAS PREMEDITATED.
>> TETRAHYDROZOLINE WAS NOT
SOMETHING WE EXPECTED TO FIND.
AND I DO BELIEVE IT WAS
SOMETHING YOU, MISS KURCZEWSKI,
NO ONE TESTING FOR.
I HAVE TO ASK OUT LOUD.
IT'S A RHETORICAL QUESTION, BUT
WERE YOU POISONING LYNN HERNAN
ALL ALONG?
FOLLOWING YOUR RELEASE FROM
PRISON?
>> NOPE.
>> I'M NOT ASKING FOR AN ANSWER.
THIS IS MY TIME.
SO DO NOT INTERRUPT ME.
>> KURCZEWSKI WAS SENTENCED TO
LIFE IN PRISON ON THE
INTENTIONAL HOMICIDE CHARGE, AND
TEN YEARS FOR THE TWO THEFT
CHARGES.
THE SOONEST SHE COULD BE PAROLED
WOULD BE AFTER 40 YEARS WHEN SHE
WOULD BE NEARLY 80 YEARS OLD.
>> JESSY POISONED LYNN LIKE SHE
WAS A RODENT.
>> RELIGION HERNAN'S FRIEND JIM
KELLIHER HAD A FEW FINAL WORDS
FOR LYNN'S KILLER.
>> THE DEVIL AWAITS YOU.
I HOPE YOU ROT IN HELL.
LYNN HERNAN IS AN ANGEL IN
HEAVEN.
MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.
YOU'RE DEARLY MISSED AND ALWAYS
WILL BE.
I'M SO VERY SORRY.
GOD BLESS.