Wife now seen as suspect, defense says
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POLSON — There’s a possible twist in the case of an Arlee couple charged with killing an 18-year-old male, stuffing his body in their shower and leaving it in their residence for months.
In a motion filed in Lake County District Court Thursday, Sept. 29, Lisa Kauffman, the attorney for Stephen Seese, states that through the defense team’s investigation, they now believe it was Kassandra Seese who struck the fatal blows that killed Richard Warner, and that Stephen Seese is “innocent.” According to the court document, Stephen’s defense team believes that Kassandra and other family members have pressured Stephen to “take the fall” for his wife, so she does not lose the couple’s two young children.
The couple was charged individually with deliberate homicide, but Kassandra Seese pleaded guilty Sept. 21 to an amended charge of accountability, negligent homicide, per a plea bargain. In the courtroom under oath she said her husband, Stephen, killed Warner. Sentencing on her case is currently set for Nov. 16.
Plea negotiations for Stephen Seese have not been successful, the document states. His trial is set for Nov. 14.
The motion is an attempt to get reports of evidence prior to the trial, including all police, autopsy, forensic, dental, DNA and all recorded phone conversations between the jailed couple and family members.
The state also requests in the motion to make Kassandra available for an interview as soon as possible.
“With a looming trial date of Nov. 14, there is an urgency to our requests, especially in the event that further investigation may be required on evidence not previously disclosed,” Kauffman wrote in the motion.
