Over the last few months, Rice County has seen an unusual spike in violent crimes, some resulting in death, and County Attorney John
Fossum said, in no less than five of those cases his office will see them through to trial.
Last week, Fossum and his office convened a grand jury asking that Cody Vernon Kolstad be indicted for first-degree murder. Kolstad, of Morristown, allegedly took the life of his housemate, Brian Daniel Stoeckel on the night of May 31st, when he shot Stoeckel twice with a shotgun as he was sleeping. Fossum said he asked for the indictment because the alleged act was premeditated. The grand jury agreed. If found guilty, Kolstad is now facing a life sentence.
Fossum said yet another high-profile case, the road-rage incident that resulted in the death of 79-year-old Larry Myers of Faribault at the hands of 52-year-old Leslie Shawn Sanders, is one that he “takes personally,” and will also look to see it through to a trial. On June 27th, the two men were driving on Cannon City Road, when Sanders’ vehicle struck Myers’ vehicle as he was attempting to pass Myers. At an intersection, Sanders left his vehicle, and punched Myers repeatedly through an open window. The results of Myers’ injuries included an inability for him to breath on his own. Myers was removed from life support and passed away on July 6th.
Sanders has been charged with second degree murder while committing a felony. Fossum said due to the Sanders’ conduct, which Fossum characterized as “inexcusable” and “beyond the pale,” his office will be seeking an enhanced sentence if the jury returns a guilty verdict.
“When we go to trial, we will be seeking an upward departure on that case. I think the guideline sentence would not be adequate to contain Mr. Sanders given his clear rage issues.”
Fossum mentioned other cases that his office intends to prosecute, and not offer plea agreements, including the William Schulenberg case. Schulenberg, a former student at St. Olaf College has been charged with premeditated-attempted murder and three counts of assault with a deadly weapon stemming from a May 1st incident when Schulenberg allegedly attacked a woman with whom he had been ordered to not have contact, and three other students who intervened to protect her.
Fossum said he is looking forward to seeing all of these cases, and more, through to trial.
“Getting justice for these victims and their families is something that really drives me to get up,” he said, “and get to work in the morning.”
