After two years, jury trial begins in deadly fire at Butch’s Bar
STURGEON BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – After two years, the jury trial for Anthony Gonzalez’s alleged role in a fire that killed two people has begun.
The jury selection process carried on all morning until the seven women and seven men jurors were chosen. Fourteen jurors will try the case because of the anticipated length of the trial. However, only 12 will deliberate.
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Gonzalez faces eight charges related to the February 22, 2022 fire, which burned down Butch’s Bar and the 20 apartments above the bar.
The charges include two counts of second-degree reckless homicide, five counts of second-degree recklessly endangering safety, and one count of negligent handling of a burning material.
“I believe the key issue of this trial is, and the thing you need to focus on most significantly is, as it relates to the two deaths, were Mr. Gonzalez’s actions, the actions of letting the butane spill, the action of then introducing a torch flame to this fuel, to this area where the fuel had spilled, after knowing it had spilled for so long,” explained Colleen Nordin, the District Attorney. “Was that reasonable under the circumstances? Were those actions? Were they a substantial factor in the deaths of these two individuals?”
Collen Nordin and Aileen Henry, the Defense Attorney, heard opening statements. From the state, the jury was asked to consider whether Gonzalez’s actions were reckless, and from the defense, they were asked to consider all of the case facts.
“I know that the state wants us to focus on Mr. Gonzalez’s actions here of starting and trying to refill his lighter. But here’s the thing, right? The evidence is going to show you, yes, there was an accidental fire, and he started that fire,” explained Aileen Henry. “But here is what the evidence will also show you… there are so many problems with that building.”
During the first day of the trial, the state called two witnesses to the stand to testify, including officers with the Sturgeon Bay Police Department.
“What Mr. Gonzalez chose to do, and the actions he took that morning were reckless and caused these deaths,” said Nordin. “And had he not introduced that fire to that fuel, we wouldn’t be here today.”
As the opening statements ended, Henry asked again that the jury listen carefully to every piece of evidence presented to the court about the events of that morning.
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“All I’m asking you to do right now is to listen to all of the evidence. Listen to what everyone has to say. And at the end, I’ll come back, and we will discuss everything. We will discuss what that building looked like, what those rooms looked like, the conditions, and these inspections that the city said, and what they considered passing,” stated Henry. “We’ll discuss all of that. So, I’m not going to charge you to do anything right now other than to pay attention To what everybody has to say and take notes. Thank you.”
The trial is scheduled to resume Tuesday morning. The judge asked that the jury arrive by eight to begin the second day of the trial by 8:10 a.m.
