Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – A Wisconsin court of appeals rejects a motion filed by the man who hit and killed four people in November 2018 in Lake Hallie. Colten Treu was convicted of hitting and killing three girl scouts and one of their mothers while they were cleaning up trash on the side of the road.
Treu pleaded no contest to four counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and guilty to hit and run causing bodily harm. In his appeal, Treu says when he made a plea in the case, he did not know it would waive his right to challenge venue on appeal.
He also says his attorneys provided ineffective assistance by failing to explain the guilty plea waiver rule to him. The state court of appeals recently handed down a ten-page decision, rejecting Colten Treu’s claims that he should have been allowed to withdraw his guilty and no contest pleas.
The court also rejected his arguments that his trial attorneys provided ineffective counsel by failing to fully and accurately explain the impacts of his pleas. Treu had tried to have his trial moved to another location, claiming he would not have a fair jury in Chippewa County. That motion had been denied.