Kenosha Teen Released from Jail, Will Be Home for Thanksgiving

Martel Lee, the Kenosha teen whose sexual assault conviction was set aside by a judge last week, was released from jail Tuesday morning, pending a possible second trial. His release on a $10,000 signature bond was ordered by Judge Gerad Dougvillo.

The 16-year-old will now spend Thanksgiving at home with his family after eight months behind bars.

Attorney’s Carl Johnson and Patrick Cafferty

Last Friday, Judge Dougvillo declared a mistrial, citing concerns over the conduct of the jury during the August trial. He noted that some jurors, based on their reactions in court, may have misrepresented their agreement with the guilty verdict. At the time, one juror was visibly crying, another appeared to be praying, and several others bowed their heads. A unanimous decision is required to convict.

In letters and affidavits submitted after the trial, several jurors claimed they were unduly pressured into delivering a guilty verdict. This prompted the judge to set aside the conviction and order a new trial.

Lee had been accused of sexually assaulting a classmate at Indian Trail High School earlier this year. While Assistant District Attorney Alexanda Smathers argued for continued incarceration during Tuesday’s bond hearing—citing the severity of the charges and allegations that Lee’s family had harassed the alleged victim’s family—Lee’s new defense attorney, Carl Johnson, countered that there was no evidence Lee himself had orchestrated any such harassment while in custody.

Lee’s mother, speaking briefly to a reporter, denied the allegations of harassment. Judge Dougvillo told Smathers that law enforcement should investigate those claims if needed.

The conditions of Lee’s release include strict bail terms: he is prohibited from having any direct or indirect contact with the victim and the victim’s father, must abide by a 10 p.m. curfew, and is required to follow his mother’s house rules. “Her house rules are the rules of this court,” Judge Dougvillo stated.

For now, the teen’s family can look forward to spending Thanksgiving together, as they await the next steps in this rare and complex case. A status hearing is scheduled for Dec. 18.

Feature image: Jennifer Jones, and Her Sons Cameron (12) and Martel Lee (16)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson) See Kenosha County Eye post below