Probation ordered in hit and run death
Probation was ordered for the 30-year old-old Curtiss man convicted of the hit-and-run death of 27-year-old Titus Kottke of Athens that occurred on Oct. 31, 2021.
On October 31, 2021, at 6:08 a.m. the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office first received the report of a person laying in a pool of blood near the intersection of Elm Ave and Hamm Dr. in the town of Holway. The victim was an unidentified white male and was dead at the scene with multiple injuries. As the investigation continued Taylor County Sheriff’s Office Detectives were able to identify the victim as 27-year-old Titus Kottke of Athens.
An autopsy was performed on Kottke, and his injuries were found to be consistent with being struck by a motor vehicle.
As the investigation continued Detectives were able to accurately account for Kottke’s whereabouts throughout the evening leading up to his death. As part of an exhaustive investigation a suspect was developed, and several search warrants were executed.
On December 22, 2021 the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office took 28-year-old Paul J. Schmeiser of Curtiss. into custody for the death of Titus Kottke and a $2,000 cash bond and $18,000 signature bond were set.
Schmeiser was charged with homicide by negligent operation of a motor vehicle, a class G Felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $25,000 and of hit and run involving death a class D felony carrying up to 25 years in state prison and a maximum fine of $100,000.
On June 19, Judge Ann Knox-Bauer approved a plea agreement finding Schmeiser guilty of hit and run involving death. The homicide by negligent operation of a motor vehicle was dismissed but read in for sentencing purposes.
The court imposes and stays a seven-year bifurcated prison sentence with two years initial confinement and five years extended supervision and places the defendant on probation for a period seven years with the following conditions: 1-year jail with Huber privileges (no good time) to report no later than July 19 at 4:30 p.m., court costs of $268, DNA sample and surcharge fee of $250, reimbursement of towing expenses $1,566, five year driver’s license revocation, maintain absolute sobriety, letter of apology to the victim’s parents due within 30 days of court date to be preapproved by probation agent, an AODA and follow through with all treatment recommendations, counseling as deemed necessary by the probation agent, and defendant must speak to an organization such as the Victim Impact Panel or a driver’s education class at least once a year while serving probation. Total fees due is $2,084. Cash bond of $2,000 shall be applied to the total. Defendant will pay the remaining $84 to the Taylor County Clerk of Court’s office. Defendant has one day of sentence credit if revoked from probation. If revoked, defendant is eligible for the Challenge Incarceration Program and the Substance Abuse Program.
Additional related traffic offensives of inattentive driving and failure of operator to notify police of an accident were dismissed on the prosecutor’s motion.
