Homicide suspect hearing is Aug. 26

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Aug. 26 for a man accused of killing an Ettrick farmer and father. 

During an initial hearing Monday before Buffalo County Judge Thomas Clark, Todd Eric Gieck, 61, of Melrose, agreed to waive his right to a hearing within 10 days and agreed to the Aug. 26 session to be held in Trempealeau County court.

“My client,” said Gieck’s attorney Richard Jones, “is the most patient person ever.” 

Clark said that during the preliminary hearing, it will be determined whether a crime had been committed and whether it was likely the defendant committed it.

Gieck has been charged with first-degree reckless homicide, use of a dangerous weapon, discharge of a firearm toward a vehicle and being a convicted out-of-state felon with a firearm. He is in Trempealeau County jail in lieu of $1.5 million bond.

Gieck is accused of killing Kyle Dahl, 37, of Ettrick, May 15. After interviewing a man who was allegedly in the car when the incident occurred, investigators concluded that Gieck became agitated when Dahl drove his car slowly past the Gieck vehicle as the Melrose man looked at a boat for sale.

The companion said Gieck next drove his vehicle behind Dahl, and eventually passed Dahl’s vehicle on the right. Gieck then drove his car off the highway, allegedly moved a bullet into a handgun’s chamber and, after saying “watch this,” shot at the rear window of Dahl’s car.