A 52-year-old man with a violent history shot an arrow into the chest of a disabled Army veteran inside the western Wisconsin home they shared before stabbing him to "put him out of his misery," according to a murder charge filed Tuesday.
Richard W. Seehaver was charged in Dunn County District Court with first-degree intentional homicide, domestic abuse, being a repeat criminal offender and illegal use of a dangerous weapon. Seehaver remains jailed ahead of his first court appearance.
John M. Likeness, 54, whose military service took him to many war zones, was found dead on Dec. 30 in the home in Menomonie, a city roughly 45 miles from the Twin Cities' eastern suburbs.
Carrie Likeness, his niece, said her uncle was a distinguished Army veteran who served for 10 years until 1993 and became disabled while in the military. She said he used a mobility scooter to get around.
She said his deployments included missions in Panama, Grenada, Somalia, and the Desert Shield and Desert Storm campaigns in the Persian Gulf.
"John was proud to have served our country and although a disabled veteran, he spent this last year embracing independence while exploring the U.S. by railway," the niece said.
According to the criminal complaint:
Officers responding to a 911 call arrived and saw through a window Likeness sitting in a recliner while Seehaver had his arms around his roommate's neck and wiping his victim's chest.
