A suspect has been charged in the December 2007 murder of James L. Park.
Chad W. Magolski, 35, New London, was charged Tuesday, May 24, with first-degree intentional homicide. He faces life in prison.
New London Police Officers Brady Peterson and Tom Algiers found the 77-year-old man’s body on Dec. 15, 2007, in his apartment, located on the lower level of 301 N. Shawano St., directly across from the police station.
Park had been stabbed multiple times in the neck, chest and abdomen. His death was estimated to have occurred between Dec. 7 and Dec. 9.
Investigators reported that Park’s front pants pockets were turned inside out. His son-in-law, William Larsen, told police that Park no longer carried a wallet, but kept his cash in a money clip. Investigators were unable to find cash or a money clip on Park’s person or in his apartment.
According to the criminal complaint, Magolski lived in the second-story apartment above Park at the time of Park’s murder.
The building’s landlord, Darwin Alberts, told investigators that Magolski had not paid his rent by Saturday, Dec. 1, 2007. Alberts went to Magolski’s apartment on Monday, Dec. 3, and attempted to contact him about payment. He returned and spoke with Magolski on Dec. 4.
Magolski allegedly told Alberts that he would have the rental and utility payment by Dec. 10. At the time, Magolski did not have a steady job.
On Dec. 10, 2007, Alberts returned to Magolski’s apartment, where he found a $50 bill in an envelope on the door.
After police began investigating Park’s death, Alberts gave the bill to police. It was sent to the State Crime Lab, where it tested positive for the presence of blood. The crime lab also reported that Park’s DNA was a possible contributor to the blood found on the $50 bill.
Investigators also reported that Park’s kitchen was “cluttered, soiled and dirty.” However, although all the kitchen utensils were dirty, one knife had been cleaned and was set apart.
The crime lab found blood on the knife and DNA analysis shows that Park was a possible source of the blood. The size and shape of the knife were also consistent with Park’s wounds, according to the criminal complaint.
Magolski also allegedly told a witness that he believed Park had a lot of money and “if someone came and knocked him off, no one would know about it.”
Magolski appeared Tuesday before Waupaca County Circuit Court Judge Philip Kirk, who set a $1 million cash bail. A preliminary hearing is set for June 30 with Judge John Hoffmann presiding.