Judge grants change of venue for ‘Halloween Killer’ Turner

FOND DU LAC – Civil commitment proceedings against convicted child murderer Gerald Turner, known as the “Halloween Killer,” were delayed Friday by a change of venue motion.

Fond du Lac County Circuit Judge Robert Wirtz approved a request by public defenders representing Turner to transfer the case to Dane County.

In January, the Wisconsin Department of Justice filed a petition to commit Turner to a secure mental health facility, arguing that he is a sexually violent person. A probable cause hearing on the petition was scheduled for Friday but has been delayed.

Assistant Attorney General Devra Ayala said the DOJ will appeal Wirtz’s decision, and the court agreed to delay filing the request for 10 days to give the state time to prepare.

“We are in the proper venue and ask the court maintain it,” Ayala said.

Defense attorney Robert William Peterson said a Dane County Court should decide Turner’s fate.

“Mr. Turner was living in Dane County at the time of his revocation (from parole) and we are looking for fairness and due process,” Peterson said.

Turner, 68, imprisoned for decades for the Oct. 31, 1973, rape and murder of 9-year-old Lisa Ann French, has been living in a supervised facility in Juneau since his release from the Racine Correctional Institution into the custody of the state Department of Health Services.

Turner’s Feb. 1 mandatory release date means he can no longer legally be held in prison, according to the DOJ.