Story originally printed in the Tomah Journal or online at www.tomahjournal.com
Published - Sunday, June 01, 2008
Competency hearing rescheduled; Judge denied bond modification for Lewis in Necedah corpse case
A competency hearing was rescheduled and the request to modify bond for Tammy Lewis was denied Tuesday morning during an appearance in Juneau County Circuit Court.
The court appearance was originally scheduled to release the details of a competency evaluation, but Juneau County Judge John Roemer said Mendota Mental Health Institute did not receive notice of the evaluation forms. Because the evaluation was not completed, Roemer said a competency hearing will be rescheduled for June 10.
Lewis, 35, of Necedah, has been charged with two counts of causing mental harm to a child and obstructing an officer.
She was charged in early May after Juneau County authorities found the body of 90-year-old Alvina Magdelina Middlesworth decomposing in the Necedah residence Lewis shared with the elderly woman. Lewis' two children, ages 15 and 12, were also living in the home.
Also charged with two counts of causing mental harm to a child is 58-year-old Alan Bushey, of Necedah.
According to court documents, Lewis told authorities that Bushey instructed her to leave Middlesworth's body in the bathroom and pray for her to come back to life.
Bushey has lived in Necedah for approximately 10 years and set up his parish, the Immaculate Conception, in his Town of Necedah residence.
Lewis, her two children and Middlesworth were parishioners at his chapel.
Lewis appeared in court Tuesday with her attorney Dan Berkos, who requested his client's cash bond be modified to a signature bond.
Berkos said Lewis' parents, who reside in Montello and were present in court, were willing to have their daughter reside with them.
"I do not feel Lewis is a flight risk, since she has no funds, no car or a driver's license," Berkos said.
Juneau County District Attorney Scott Southworth said Lewis' original bond of $50,000, with a posting amount of $5,000, is appropriate and should not be modified.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Bushey Thursday morning.
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