By Shereen Siewert
WAUSAU — A 27-year-old Unity man was convicted Wednesday of two counts of first degree intentional homicide in connection with the shooting death of his girlfriend and one other victim in Abbotsford.
Tyler Zimmerman, formerly of Owen, pleaded guilty to both charges Wednesday in Marathon County Circuit Court. As part of a plea agreement, additional charges of attempted first degree intentional homicide and three counts of reckless endangerment were dismissed but read into the record, and will be considered at sentencing.
Zimmerman has been held in the Marathon County Jail on a $1 million cash bond since his January arrest. Police say Zimmerman on Jan. 20 shot and killed his girlfriend, 21-year-old Cierra Hardrath, at an Abbotsford home because he believed she was cheating on him. Zimmerman and Hardrath shared a home in Owen, about 13 miles from where the shooting took place.
Duane R Hostetler, Jr., 25, who was not acquainted with Zimmerman, was also killed in the shooting. Hostetler’s legal name is Duane R. Lopez, Jr., but police say he was widely known by the name Hostetler.
Hostetler’s fiancee, 18-year-old Megan Dupee, was also shot, but survived the attack.
Circuit Judge Greg Huber ordered a presentencing investigation be completed before Zimmerman is sentenced. First degree intentional homicide carries an automatic life sentence, but Huber will decide at sentencing whether Zimmerman will ever be allowed conditional release.
A sentencing hearing is set for March 15.
