July 17, 2026 4:15p
From WGTD News:
The strange case of a man who killed a new Kenosha homeowner in 2025 after breaking into the house, claiming the owner was trespassing, ended Friday without a clear understanding of the man's motives. Justin Tercek, 43, was sentenced by Judge Jodi Meier to life in prison without the possibility of release.
Tercek broke into Andrew Pfannkuche's new home in the middle of the night. When confronted, Tercek purportedly told Pfannkuche that his grandmother owned the home. It turned out that the estate of his late grandmother had just sold the house to the 52 year-old Pfannkuche. Tercek left, but returned a few hours later and drove over a 'for sale' sign that was still in the front yard. Tercek again left, but returned later in the day and fatally stabbed Pfannkuche along with his dog.
At Friday's sentencing hearing, information emerged indicating that Tercek had used drugs, was estranged from his family, appeared to be homeless after having just been released from jail and had told a pastor the day before that he was "possessed by demons." Even after presiding over the week-and-a-half long trial and reading the pre-sentence report, Judge Meier said she was mystified. "Why did you take the life of another...so profoundly unnecessary," she said. "Was it because you're evil?" Meier asked rhetorically. "Maybe. But I'm not here to judge your heart--just your actions."
Pfannkuche leaves behind three children, one of whom--a special education teacher--spoke at the hearing.
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A 23 year-old man is dead after he crashed his pickup into a house in the Town of Randall early Friday morning then purportedly shot himself. According to the Kenosha County Sheriff's Office, the man had been traveling at a high rate of speed just north of the Country Thunder music festival when he left the road and struck the house. The homeowner told deputies that after the crash the driver exited the vehicle, approached him and asked whether anyone inside had been injured. The driver then returned to the truck and apparently shot himself. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
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