Richard Pierce will remain in custody after a jury found him guilty of the murder of his wife Carol Jean Friday afternoon. Judge David Weber read the verdicts in his chambers at the Door County Justice Center and confirmed it with each of the jurors by number after 1 p.m. on Friday. The 86-year-old Pierce was convicted of murdering Carol Jean and disposing of her body. The state was granted its request to have the signature bond for Pierce be revoked while the defense was denied its motion to dismiss the case. Since the trial started, the prosecution used 27 different people and 115 exhibits of evidence to try and show that Pierce is responsible for the death of his wife Carol Jean, who has not been seen since 1975. The defense called no witnesses, instead relying on the state’s ability to show a burden of proof that Pierce had indeed killed Carol Jean and disposed of the body. Carol Jean’s body has not been found since she disappeared in 1975. Pierce’s sentencing is scheduled for August 5th at 2:30 p.m.
