Former UW-Whitewater student Chad T. Richards was arraigned for the alleged murder of his girlfriend, Kara Welsh Friday, Nov. 8 at the Walworth County Courthouse where he entered a plea of not guilty. The week before during a preliminary hearing Richards was found likely to have committed the crime.

ARRAIGNMENT

Richards appeared in person while in custody with his attorney, Gibson Hatch, who acknowledged receipt of the information, waived reading and entered a not guilty plea to the charge on behalf of Richards. A status conference is scheduled for Jan. 23, 2025.

A status conference is a court-ordered meeting where attorneys from all parties involved in a case discuss the status of the case and determine its next steps, sometimes with a judge present. The purpose is to decide on a trial date, discuss plea bargains, resolve any issues that may impact the trial, reach a potential settlement or ensure parties are prepared for a trial.

At this time the not guilty plea was entered on Richards’ behalf for a claim of self defense.