MAUSTON, Wis. – Bail was set at $5 million for the man accused shooting and killing his girlfriend and two e9en-age girls in New Lisbon. In setting bail, Judge Stacy Smith noted that Virgil Thew had previous criminal convictions and was no stranger to jail or a state orison cell. The cnvictions mostly were for burglaries going back t when he was 16. One judge along the way called Thew a habitual criminal. Last week Thew was charged with the New Lisbon murders. More charges were added after his arrest on Thursday:
> Hiding a corpse.
>Possessing a firearm illegally.
> Stealing an automobile.
> Driving a vehicle without consent.
> Obstructing an officer.
At the bail hearing Juneau County prosecutor Kenneth Hamm asked for the $5 million bail: “This is a very serious crime,” Hamm said. “Very significant cash is appropriate.” Asked by the judge whether he had a comment about Hamm’s $5 million recommendation, Thew said no. He had no attorney at the hearing. The proceedings lasted 10 minutes. Thew looked haggard and worn out. He was in an orange jail jumpsuit. He was shackled at wrists and waist. The judge advised Thew of his options for legal representation. These included being assigned a public defender.
Earlier: New Lisbon murder suspect captured
Thew. In 1-1/2 weeks on the run, Thew told deputies, he stuck to rural areas. His arrest was near Elroy 12 miles from crime scene. A citizen reported seeing a suspicious character. There also had been sighting a few other times during the manhunt, always in wooded areas.