Mikhi Turner, 17, of Wausau. April 1, 2024: Fleeing an officer, criminal damage to property

By Shereen Siewert | Wausau Pilot & Review

A Wausau teen who reached a plea deal last month in a significant animal mistreatment case is facing new felony charges, after he allegedly led police on a high speed chase through residential city streets less than two weeks after being sentenced.

Mikhi J. Turner, who was prosecuted as an adult on a felony charge of animal mistreatment causing death, pleaded no contest March 20 to a reduced charge of misdemeanor animal mistreatment. He was given a withheld sentence that called for a year of probation and a mental health evaluation. The case was filed in October in Marathon County Circuit Court after a report of animal abuse was investigated by the Wausau Police Department.

Investigators said a family member’s cat had been badly injured, was bleeding from the mouth and had hair missing from its head. Police say the cat’s jaw was injured and the animal’s eye was filled with blood, while two spots on the cat’s head extending from above the eyes to the ears on both side showed hair had been removed.

A photograph of the cat from earlier in the day showed the animal was in good condition before its owner left for the day, with Turner remaining in the home. Police say Turner admitted hitting the cat “more than a couple times.”

Now, Turner is facing felony charges of fleeing an officer after he allegedly crashed his vehicle while eluding police. A misdemeanor charge of criminal damage to property was also filed April 1 against Turner, who is jailed on a probation hold.

In a withheld sentence, Turner can face additional penalties including time behind bars for the original offense if he does not follow the rules of his supervision.

According to a criminal complaint, Wausau Police tried to stop Turner after he was allegedly spotted traveling at a high rate of speed on Grand Avenue before turning onto a side street on the city’s southeast side. The initial report was called in at about 12:30 a.m. on March 30.

Multiple squad cars joined the chase, which wound through city streets and ended with a rollover crash on North Sixth Street near Golf Club Road. Police estimate Turner was traveling in excess of 60 mph during the chase, from which he then fled on foot.

Turner was apprehended a short time later and taken to the Marathon County Jail.

A preliminary hearing is set for April 15.

You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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Wausau teen faces felony animal mistreatment charge

By Shereen Siewert A 17-year-old Wausau boy is accused of violently attacking a cat, resulting in felony animal mistreatment charges. Mikhi J. Turner is being tried as an adult on the charge, which was filed Oct. 16 in Marathon County Circuit Court. In Wisconsin, 17-year-old defendants are treated as adults in the court system. Police…

by Shereen Siewert