Bio: Merrill, William (Arson Charges 1983)

Contact: Kathleen E. Englebretson

Email: kathy@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Russell, Rossiter, Merrill

---Source: Marshfield News-Herald (3 April 1983)

Merrill, William Russell

NEILLSVILLE -- William Russell Merrill, 47, of Neillsville and formerly of Minneapolis and Menasha, was found guilty late Wednesday afternoon by a Clark County Circuit Court jury, of arson.

The charge resulted from a fire in a home owned by Merrill. The home, formerly the old Kurth schoolhouse, was located in the Town of Grant just east of the City of Neillsville off Highway 10.

A fire gutted the building in the evening of January 29, 1982.

A 12-member jury returned the verdict Wednesday, after deliberating just more than three hours following the three-day trial.

Merrill had pleaded innocent to the charge, and had requested a substitute judge. Portage County Circuit Court Judge Robert C. Jenkins heard the case.

There were 15 witnesses called by the prosecution, including William Rossiter, a former state fire Marshall. The defense called seven witnesses.

A date for senrencing has not yet been set, and Merrill was taken into custody and remains in the Clark COunty Jail.

Merrill purchased the home in late 1981.