Bond set at $1 million for man facing murder, arson charges

HURLEY - Bond was set at $1 million cash Monday afternoon for a Saxon, Wis., man who faces murder and arson charges.

Donald F. Rick, 44, appeared with public defender Courtney Latzig on charges that relate to the March 12 fire that destroyed the Bear Trap Inn in Saxon, resulting in the death of Lisa Waldros.

Judge Patrick Madden set the bond, as recommended by Richard Dufour, the assistant Attorney General who is prosecuting the case.

Rick and his attorney waived the right for a speedy preliminary examination. The exam is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, July 28, when it will be determined by Madden whether Rick will be bound over to stand trial.

About 30 people, mostly members of Waldros' family, were on hand in the courtroom as Rick made his initial court appearance in a five-minute proceeding.

Regarding Dufour's bond recommendation, Latzig pointed out that Rick poses no risk for flight. He is being held in the Iron County Jail at Hurley for violating conditions of extended supervision following serving prison time for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl.

Rick is alleged to have told investigators that he stabbed Waldros in burglarizing the tavern, then burned the building in an attempt to make it look like she had died in the fire.

He also faces charges of mutilation of a corpse, armed burglary, armed robbery and possession of a firearm, all as a repeat offender.

The body of Waldros, 52, of Kimball, was found under a slab in the sunken bathroom area of the structure two days after the fire. An autopsy revealed she had been stabbed five times in the neck, with one wound severing the jugular vein.

Rick was apprehended shortly after the fire and has been detained in the jail at Hurley since. Two guns were found in a search of his residence in Saxon, a violation of his probation, according to the criminal complaint.

Dufour said a hearing has been scheduled for Thursday on the alleged violations of the extended supervision.