Woman in 'eye drops' homicide trial had 'elevated concentration' in her system when she died
A toxicologist testified Friday that a Pewaukee woman had more than 10 times the concentration of eyedrop fluid in her system at the time of her 2018 death.
Jessy Kurczewski, 39, of Franklin, is accused of poisoning beautician Lynn Hernan, staging an overdose scene and stealing more than $290,000 from her over time.
Kurczewski faces charges of first-degree intentional homicide and two counts of felony theft. She has pleaded not guilty.
The trial began Monday.
Here are the main takeaways from Day 5 of the trial:
Lynn Hernan's tetrahydrozoline concentration was more than 10 times higher than normal
Dr. Sherri Kacinko, a toxicologist for NMS Labs, testified Hernan exhibited an “elevated concentration” of tetrahydrozoline.
The Pennsylvania company performed toxicology testing on Hernan at the request of the Waukesha County Medical Examiner’s Office when it first detected the high THZ levels in Hernan.
Concentration levels of 1-10 nanograms per milliliter of tetrahydrozoline is common in most postmortem testing, Kacinko said. In Hernan, the concentration was 160 nanograms per milliliter.
Tetrahydrozoline is the active component in Visine and other eye drops that are used to relieve eye irritation and remove redness.
Health agencies, such as the American Academy of Ophthalmology, have warned that, while tetrahydrozoline is safe if used correctly, it can be poisonous if swallowed.
Lynn Hernan was seen less in her last few years, but she didn't discuss ending her life
James Kelliher, a retired heavy equipment operator, dated Hernan for 10 years. The two remained friends after they broke up in 1993. He told jurors Friday that, although they kept in contact over the years, face-to-face visits became less frequent around 2016, because she was constantly sick.
Kelliher said it was also around this time that Hernan told him she began to notice money missing. They stayed in touch by phone, but Christmas 2017 was the last time he saw her.
The defense contends Hernan ingested lethal amounts of tetrahydrozoline on her own.
“She never gave me the indication she was suicidal,” Kelliher said.
Jurors were dismissed early on Friday. Testimony is expected to resume Monday.
The trial, before Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Dorow, is expected to last five weeks.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: 'Eye drops' homicide trial latest: Woman had 'elevated concentration'
