Man convicted of Arcadia murder up for parole again


            Anthony Meier, who confessed to murdering his estranged wife Jill (Wozney) Meier in 1992, is eligible for parole for a second time.            (DOC photo)

“In my experience, guys like that are so horrified by what they’ve done, they’d never hurt a fly afterward.”

The man who served as Anthony Meier’s defense attorney said it’s “about time” the man convicted of murdering his estranged wife, Jill (Wozney) Meier, is up for parole. While the prosecutor for the case remembers the seriousness of the crime, but didn’t think the Wisconsin Parole Commission would have an easy decision to make before April 1.

Meier has been in custody since Nov. 1, 1992 when he stabbed his soon-to-be ex-wife 18 times at their Arcadia home, according to court records, and could possibly be released on April 1 when he is up for parole for a second time. He was denied parole in 2018.

During the trial Meier’s defense attorney Michael McQuillan said a “monstrous thing happened on Nov. 1 of last year (1992), but I don’t believe a monster did it.” More than a quarter of a century later, McQuillan still believes those words and thinks it is time for Meier to be released from prison.

“Looking at the way he killed her, it was obviously in a rage,” McQuillan said in an interview with the Times last week. “There was nothing rational about what he did.”

According to McQuillan and court records, while the two had been separated Meier believed he and his wife of less than a year were working on reconciliation. McQuillan said it was when Jill told Anthony that she would be proceeding with the divorce that he “lost it.”

According to court records, Jill had filed for divorce on Oct. 2, 1992. Anthony was at the residence they shared before they separated at 609 Fox St. to pick up a piece of furniture.

Of the 18 stab wounds, court records say two went through Jill’s body. Anthony had also been stabbed himself, initially he claimed Jill had stabbed him and that he acted in self defense. He later confessed to the murder and to stabbing himself because he was “ashamed.”

But McQuillan doesn’t think Anthony is a threat to society.

“In my experience, guys like that are so horrified by what they’ve done, they’d never hurt a fly afterward,” the retired defense attorney said.

He noted that Meier felt regret before being sentenced.

“When he testified, he cried like a baby, so I don’t think he was a monster,” McQuillan said. “There was no indication of any tendency for violence up to that day.”

During the sentencing hearing, Jill’s family members testified that Anthony had been physically abusing Jill, but it had never been reported to the police.  

McQuillan was also quick to say that he doesn’t know if Meier has been changed by the 28 years he has spent in prison.

Meier was sentenced on April 1, 1993 to 25 years in prison, he was denied parole three years ago, part of the reasoning according to the decision released by the Wisconsin Parole Commission was because his “release at this time would involve an unreasonable risk to the public.”

The Times requested to interview Meier, but were denied by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections because the Office of Victim Services noted a review of the crimes and potential impact on victims.

Former Trempealeau County Assistant District Attorney William Nemer remembers the crime as being a heinous assault. While McQuillan noted Meier as not even having as much as a parking ticket in his past, Nemer said that couldn’t be taken into consideration for the prosecution or sentencing.

“We felt his actions were inexcusable,” Nemer said. “I do not recall (Anthony having) any prior issues with the law. My philosophy was this is as serous of a crime as as you can commit in Wisconsin.”

Nemer said he felt the sentence that was imposed by then Trempealeau County Circuit Court Judge Richard Galstad was appropriate.

“The nature of the crime, which does have a life imprisonment term, obviously society considers a heinous offense,” Nemer said. “Not all first-degree intentional homicides are as heinous as this offense, but this one certainly justified the nature of the prosecution.”

While he was a prosecutor for nearly 37 years, Nemer said he remembers the Meier case very well. “You don’t have many first-degree intentional homicides in Trempealeau County, thank God.”

The former ADA has prosecuted other homicides in the county, noting they’ve typically been related to domestic violence or alcohol-related. While Meier’s background wouldn’t indicate violence, he said it still needed to be treated for the crime that was committed.

“When somebody has been murdered, we have to react with that and recognize that human life has value and we can’t simply not address it at the most serious level,” Nemer said.

Nemer also noted that while one person was killed, there are more victims in the crime. “Victims have constitutional rights in Wisconsin and victims include the survivors close to the murder victim.”

That too was noted in the previous denial of parole. Witnessing the murder was the 18-month-old son of Anthony and Jill, Cody. The child was later adopted by a member of Jill’s family and graduated from Whitehall Memorial High School, He took his own life in 2014.

WPC Chairperson Daniel Gabriel wrote in the decision: “During your parole hearing you discussed with the commissioner the fact that you created an orphan as a result of this murder…your son experienced difficulties growing up — undoubtedly arising out of the horrifying trauma of witnessing his mother beaten and gored to death…you acknowledged that your crime was a contributing factor in your son’s death.”

As for if Meier should be released on his second attempt at parole, Nemer didn’t think it was his place to say.

“I guess that’s something that is best left to the people who have that power,” he said. “But I think it was the kind of offense that we take very seriously. I can’t think of anything that could be more serious.”

Nemer said he could not speak to Meier’s conduct while in prison, but the WPC statement did say that Meier has “grown” while in prison and that he has received only two minor conduct reports. It also stated that Meier has shown a desire for self-improvement and to better understand domestic dynamics and that he has sought out to participate in a self-study. Gabriel added that Meier has been employed at Badger State Industries and has volunteered in the PAWS program as a dog handler. “These are all very positive, pro-social habits you are forming.”

Of the parole commission’s decision-making process, McQuillan said “when you figure it out, let me know.”

“It’s a difficult decision, I’m sure, for anyone to make,” Nemer said. “Some cases are committed by habitual offenders that are so heinous that there is no question that you’re never going to permit that kind of person to be out and about again. It’s much more difficult in a situation like this to make a just decision that is good for society.”

McQuillan thought that Galstad allowing parole after 25 years was possibly him recognizing Meier was not likely to commit the crime again and, therefore, could be released.

“I would think (Anthony) would be the kind of guy they’d want to parole as soon as possible,” McQuillan said.

Meier is currently incarcerated at Stanley Correctional Institution, where he has been since 2003.

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