Geske verdict reaction

GREEN BAY - In addition to the guilty verdicts on two counts of first degree reckless homidice, jurors also found Geske guilty on two counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, and one count of first degree reckless endangerment.

Family and friends of the two victims in the Anrietta Geske case spoke out after the guilty verdicts.
It wasn't anybody's first choice to spend the first full day of Spring at the Brown County Courthouse, but Courtroom 260 was packed. After a week of exhibits, experts, and emotion, Anrietta Geske's jury discussed the case.

"Guilty," announced the judge.

"Relief like you can't imagine...it's been such a long time," said Lou Heroux, Tahlia Heroux's grandmother.

The jury found Geske guilty of five of the seven charges against her...as family and friends of Tahlia Heroux and Ashley Britsch-Knetzger supported each other.

"You're scared and you kind of don't know what you're going do if it doesn't go the right way. We're all a very close family. You kind of touch each other just for some support...just, I'm here, you're here, we can do this. We're going to get there," said Kelly Ama, Talia's aunt.

Ashley Britsch-Knetzger's father said his family relied on faith, family, and friends to get through the last nine months.

"It just redemption, that the system, as difficult as it was, trust me, it works, and that justice has been realized," said Mike Knetzger, Ashley's father.

The case took its toll on just about everyone in the courtroom.

"It's been hell. It's been hard. It was a difficult case, not because, I didn't think the facts were difficult, but it was difficult just dealing with this tragedy all around," said Lt. Jody Crocker with the Ashwaubenon Public Safety.

Geske's family members were not in the courtroom, she kept quiet as she was escorted away.

"She's disappointed. Like I said, this wasn't going to be easy either way, no matter what happened. This whole trial was difficult for her, the whole accident, the recognition that she's responsible for two people's lives being lost, all the pain that she's seen the families go through," said Jerry Buting, Geske's attorney.

Some were disappointed, some were relieved, as courtroom 260 emptied...and the trial of Anrietta Geske ended.

Geske was found not guilty on two counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle with prohibited alcohol concentration.