Click here to view La Crosse Area Weather
Home > News > Story
 Advertisement 

Published - Wednesday, August 29, 2007

POST COMMENT | READ COMMENTS (35 comment(s))

Man accused of stalking woman


.
Charges were filed Tuesday against a La Crosse man accused of threatening a woman, setting her door on fire and slashing tires on a man’s vehicle over the weekend.

Steven Mitchell, 25, of 522 Jackson St., was charged with stalking while armed with a dangerous weapon, negligent handling of burning materials and criminal damage to property using a dangerous weapon, all as a habitual criminal.
La Crosse County Circuit Judge Ramona Gonzalez set bond at $100,000 cash after he refused to be transferred to court from the La Crosse County Jail.

A woman told La Crosse police that Mitchell repeatedly attempted to contact her this month through online messages, phone calls, notes and home visits, at one point holding a steak knife to her throat, according to the criminal complaint.

Mitchell told police he was cutting himself and the knife got close to the woman’s neck when she tried to pry it away.

Police early Sunday found the door to the woman’s South Side apartment in flames, though she was not home. A piece of wood doused with an accelerant had been placed against the door, according to the complaint.

While Mitchell denied any knowledge of the fire, officers noticed his arm hair appeared singed off. He said he’d shaved his arms, legs and chest so he could dress like a woman to elude arrest, according to the complaint. Mitchell told police he slashed tires on a man’s van late Sunday on the 1000 block of Liberty Street because the man threatened him.

Police found a small saw blade in his pants pocket when he was arrested Monday at a vacant house on the 1300 block of South Fourth Street, according to the complaint.

Gonzalez continued the case to Thursday so Mitchell could hire an attorney.

Anne Jungen can be reached at ajungen@lacrossetribune.com.
.




 Advertisement 
 Tell us what you think...

 Comments »

To: To: All who are responding to ACLU wrote on Aug 29, 2007 10:25 PM:

" You were right. It is hopeless to try to explain it to these dolts. But, good job trying anyway. "

To: To: All who are responding to ACLU wrote on Aug 29, 2007 9:37 PM:

" The posters aclu/amensty are not making any points except to sound like couple of complete tool sheds that copy and paste the same response for every story. "

Thou shall not MURDER wrote on Aug 29, 2007 8:28 PM:

" For the millionth time, the original commandment wording was MURDER, not kill. We kill people(ex.war), animals, fish, plants, etc, since the beginning of time, for various well intended reasons. Murder is killing for obvious poor reasons. "

From "Well, what do you know???" again wrote on Aug 29, 2007 5:25 PM:

" Oh. Late for court? Thanks for lettingme know. DUMP GONZALEZ...with a write in campaign if we have to. (And, no, I don't care if he was really NOT late. Dump her anyway). "

Think about it! wrote on Aug 29, 2007 4:31 PM:

" Have any of you been stalked? Obviously not or you wouldnt have been saying these "alternative lifestyle" things. It is not an alternative lifestyle it is someone putting anothers life at risk. When this man commited arson, he was thinking that he was going to do harm to her, luckly she nor any others were harmed in this. Would you feel safe going to sleep at night, knowing that a man held a knife to your neck, and knows where you life, so he can possibly do it again? I most definatly wouldnt feel safe. Do you think you would want this kind of person running around the streets possibly doing this to your family? I think not! "

Blog Stalkers wrote on Aug 29, 2007 4:11 PM:

" ACLU and Amnesty should be able to sympathize with this yo-yo. After all they are stalkers themselves, just hanging out and waiting for these type of articles to blog on. How sad and pathetic their lives must be. Tsk. Tsk "

Ms. Cleo wrote on Aug 29, 2007 3:38 PM:

" Did he used to play football when he was in high school? "

To: Barry Lynn wrote on Aug 29, 2007 3:07 PM:

" Actually, not killing someone else is a law of the US. And there really is no "separation of church and state." That is a myth, read about it. "

To: All who are responding to ACLU wrote on Aug 29, 2007 3:06 PM:

" Is everyone really that dense that you don't see the point the poster is trying to make? You keep saying "but it's illegal" and "but he is harming others". Wake up! We understand that. There are plenty of laws on the books that prohibit behavior that harms no one(prostitution, drugs), as well as laws that allow us to harm others(abortion). So, clearly, the standard isn't whether it does harm to others or not. So, whose morality DO we base our laws on? As for amnesty, the point being made there SHOULD be obvious, but it is probably a waste of time to explain it to you dolts. "

Thank goodness Ramona got this one... wrote on Aug 29, 2007 3:05 PM:

" I'm sure we'll all sleep well tonight knowing that Ramona is on the case. I figure he'll be out by Christmas. "

Some people... wrote on Aug 29, 2007 2:21 PM:

" If we just "let people live" by there own morals... separating church and state as you say... our world would be in a major disaster, people need to have the fear of what could happen from there actions in order not to do them... you say not to impose your religious morals, but it isn't that at all, you shouldn't be allowed to do anything to personally harm another person, that is unfair to people in society... it's not "religious morality"..it is common sense, and if you are too dumb to have any then you should pay for the crimes you commit... maybe if people were arrested for not praying to god I would understand your point, but not over something that is trying to get a positive outcome for a young, frightened girl who desperately just wants some peace of mind. "

TO ACLU wrote on Aug 29, 2007 2:01 PM:

" Do you use your "alternative lifestyle" line in every single post just to irritate readers who have something constructive to say? People who commit crimes against others, puting them in HARMS way are not practicing an "alternative lifestyle" they are commiting CRIMES, BREAKING THE LAW and such acts should not be tolerated. "

re: ACLU, Amnesty & To 8:39 wrote on Aug 29, 2007 1:24 PM:

" What do you guys do, keep these comments on your clipboard and paste them into every blog. I've read these comments (almost word for word) in at least 50 previous blogs. Shows the level of intellegence lurking out there. This stalker needs professional help but you guys need it more. "

To: "What I wonder?" wrote on Aug 29, 2007 1:21 PM:

" Who really cares who ACLU & amnesty are. Neither have anything intelligent to say and just write to try to stir things up. "

but... wrote on Aug 29, 2007 1:15 PM:

" all this person(s) does is cut and paste the same garbage for each story. "

To:What I wonder... wrote on Aug 29, 2007 12:13 PM:

" I used to wonder that but usually the posting times don't coincide, and there are different nuances and points being made-different styles of writing.... "

what i wonder is... wrote on Aug 29, 2007 11:26 AM:

" are ACLU and Amnesty the same person?? "

Krusty wrote on Aug 29, 2007 11:12 AM:

" If there ever was a case that screamed for concealed carry this would be it. I don't care what the govt. says, if I was this woman I would have a .45 tucked away in my purse. "

to ALCU wrote on Aug 29, 2007 10:05 AM:

" The reason that you are able to go to sleep at night knowing that you will not be threatened with a knife and have your house burned down around you is because someone legistlated personal morality. Why are we defending criminals as practicing "alternative lifestyles". This is just another example of people using any excuse that they can to defend criminal behavior, "

Barry Lynn to:To ACLU wrote on Aug 29, 2007 9:55 AM:

" I am not ACLU, but if you read the post I am sure ACLU would absolutely agree with you. After all, not killing is a Biblical command. If we were to punish someone for breaking this command, we would be in violation of separation of church and state. "

To:8:39am wrote on Aug 29, 2007 9:51 AM:

" You bring up some good points that will probably go over most of these peoples heads. Another thing is that this man should probably receive amnesty, free education, and free healthcare in order to avoid the appearance of racism. "

he's lucky.... wrote on Aug 29, 2007 9:49 AM:

" to have judge gonzalez, he'll get 90 days and credit for time served. "

to ACLU wrote on Aug 29, 2007 9:38 AM:

" What are you going to say when the woman he is "alternative lifestyle" stalking takes out a gun and "alternative lifestyle" shoots him in the head? Let's respect her right to choose also. "

Amnesty wrote on Aug 29, 2007 9:15 AM:

" This man is a hard worker who performs jobs no one else wants to do. Clearly, he should receive amnesty, free healthcare, and free education. Otherwise, this is nothing more than racism. "

This guy is headed for the nut house. wrote on Aug 29, 2007 8:59 AM:

" Or the Wisconsin Assembly. "

Funny wrote on Aug 29, 2007 8:41 AM:

" He told the cops he shaved himself to dress up as a woman to elude arrest? Give him credit for being honest. "

ACLU wrote on Aug 29, 2007 8:39 AM:

" Isn't this just an alternative lifestyle that we need to be more tolerant of? What right do we have to pass judgment on this man and impose our morality on him? What about respecting his right to choose? If we continue to legislate personal morality, we are in danger of becoming a Christian theocracy. Leave this man alone and go after the real criminals-those that would dare to pray(not prey) in public. "

Looks like...... wrote on Aug 29, 2007 8:14 AM:

" another case for Justice Sanctions. "

no break for Ramona wrote on Aug 29, 2007 7:55 AM:

" She only set the bail so high because she was mad he didn't show up in court. If he had known she was the judge I am sure he would have showed up paid his $100 fine and been back stalking this woman within hours. "

too all wrote on Aug 29, 2007 7:33 AM:

" sounds like a wack job!!!!! "

Tolerance needed wrote on Aug 29, 2007 7:31 AM:

" this guy is simply living an alternative lifestyle. don't persecute him! "

It wrote on Aug 29, 2007 7:19 AM:

" Sounded like Larry Craig till I see It was with a woman "

DB wrote on Aug 29, 2007 7:18 AM:

" WOW! That's about all I can say. "

Well, what do you know??? wrote on Aug 29, 2007 7:16 AM:

" Unbelievable..."Judge" Gonzalez finally did something to protect the public! One time does not make a trend...but if this should happen to keep up, maybe we won't have to dump her next election. "

Forget the attorney... wrote on Aug 29, 2007 5:37 AM:

" This guy needs to hire a head shrinker! "


PLEASE NOTE: Comments on stories that frequently update through the day disappear with each update.
The comments above are from readers. In no way do they represent the views of the La Crosse Tribune.

Click here to report offensive or inappropriate comments. Please identify the comment you're concerned about, the story to which the comment was attached, the date of the comment and the person who made the post.

 Post a comment (150 word limit) »

Log In - If you have already signed up with The LaCrosse Tribune, please sign in now!
Member ID:
*Password:
  Forgot Your Password?
 
Sign Up - To encourage intelligent and meaningful conversation, The LaCrosse Tribune requires all commenters to register before posting comments. It's quick, it's easy, and it's free! Just fill in the information below to get started!

**Your Member ID and password will be required to log in. Your comments will appear under your user name.

Do not use usernames or passwords from your financial accounts!

Note: Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required!

Create a Member ID:
*Choose a password:
*Re-enter password:
E-mail Address:
Year of Birth:
 

(children under 13 cannot register)

First Name:
Last Name:
Company:
Home Phone:
Business Phone:
Address:
City:
State:
Zip Code:
 

NEWSPAPER ADS

LACROSSE JOBS

TOP HOMES

HomeSeller
Top Homes



 
 
Dailies
La Crosse Tribune
Winona Daily News

Weeklies
Coulee News
Courier Life News
The Chronicle
Houston County News
Tomah Journal
Vernon Broadcaster
Westby Times

Regional
Inside Preps
My LIVE! Entertainment
Best of River Valley
Business Report
Healthy Living Today
Strictly Golf
River Valley Bike Trails
River Valley Blogs
River Valley Outdoors

Shoppers
Tri-County Foxxy

Marketplace
Newspaper Ads
Local Website Directory
7 Rivers Rentals
HomeSeller
Wheels Website
Outdoor Motors
Work For You

Portals
La Crosse NET
Winona NET

Classifieds
River Valley Classifieds

Links
Lee Enterprises

About Us | Classifieds | Contact Us | Terms of Use | F.A.Q. | Privacy Policy | Requests | Search | RSS | Videos | Advertiser Directory | Add to My Yahoo!
Copyright © 1997 - 2008 The La Crosse Tribune. All rights reserved.
Material from this site may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed. A Lee Enterprises subsidiary.