Obregon trial approaching

Andrew Obregon, shown here at a July motion hearing with public defenders Kristyne Watson and Carl Johnson, expects to go to trial at the end of September on dozens of felony charges (Jason Arndt File Photo/The Report).
Andrew Obregon, shown here at a July motion hearing with public defenders Kristyne Watson and Carl Johnson, expects to go to trial at the end of September on dozens of felony charges (Jason Arndt File Photo/The Report).

Area man accused of 32 crimes, including murder

By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer

In preparation for Andrew Obregon’s upcoming jury trial set to begin Sept. 26, about 200 jurors expect to receive questionnaires addressing concerns about pretrial publicity, according to a Kenosha County prosecutor.

Obregon is slated for a status hearing Sept. 15 in Kenosha County Circuit Court.

Obregon, 33, stands accused of 28 felonies, including first-degree intentional homicide of 37-year-old Tywon Anderson in September 2015 that sparked a 22-day run from authorities.

Anderson, Obregon’s purported drug dealer, had been reported missing by his sister Sept. 21.

Five days later, authorities discovered Anderson’s remains in a cornfield on the 14400 block of Highway A in the Town of Paris.

His run ended Oct. 13, when he allegedly beat a Brighton woman and stole her car, leading authorities on a chase through two states, and later brought down by a Zion, Ill., police dog.

If convicted on all charges, Obregon would face a maximum of life imprisonment plus 439 years.

In a July 15 hearing, where Obregon’s public defenders sought to suppress evidence obtained through his interrogation at the Zion Police Department, they also asked for a change of venue due to pretrial publicity.

His public defenders contend that he endured mistreatment after his arrest, suggesting Obregon was under the influence of crack and coerced into a confession, noting his mother, Susan, was still in jail after being accused of aiding him during his attempt to evade capture.

Susan Obregon has been sentenced to one year of probation for her role in helping Obregon, which included giving him money.

But, after testimony by Sheriffs Det. David Bliss, and video submitted into evidence, Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Chad Kerkman rejected those arguments.

In the wake of a22-day string of alleged crimes, which included burglaries of two convenience stores and multiple vehicle thefts, his public defenders believe Obregon would not receive a fair trial in Kenosha County.

Public defender Carl Johnson told Kerkman at the July 15 hearing that media coverage was “inflammatory” and expressed concern about social media engagement on the case.

“With social media, these stories grow exponentially,” Johnson said. “That will make it difficult to find a fair and impartial jury.”

However, Kerkman refuted defense claims, noting the case will eclipse the one-year mark once it goes to the jury and stated “people have short-term memories.”

In response to defense concerns, Kerkman requested prosecutors and Obregon’s attorneys propose questions for prospective jurors.

Kenosha County Assistant District Attorney Carli McNeill reported they narrowed the questionnaire from 17 pages to seven at an Aug. 26 hearing.

“The state’s position was that the questionnaire should be as short and manageable as possible and focused almost entirely on the issue of pretrial publicity,” said McNeill, adding 46 total questions are on the form.


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