The Kevin Lychwick Trial

Summary

---

Court Junkie, Episode: The Kevin Lytchwick Trial

Date: July 7, 2026
Host: Gillian (in partnership with Law & Crime)

---

Episode Overview

This episode investigates the trial of Kevin Lytchwick, accused and ultimately convicted for the murder and concealment of Carlos Maldonado in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Host Gillian walks listeners through court proceedings, focusing on testimony, evidence, and Lytchwick’s defense as he represented himself in court. The episode deeply explores issues of alleged police misconduct, circumstantial and forensic evidence, and the difficulties faced by the accused asserting innocence.

---

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Setting the Stage: The Defendant’s Protest

• Opening Protest:
  Kevin Lytchwick, defending himself, insists that he is unwell and protests being "railroaded" by the justice system (01:15).

  “I am not prepared to defend myself in this matter.” – Kevin Lytchwick [01:15]

• Claims of Mistreatment:
  Details of his incarceration—claims of being brutalized, denied medical care, and harassed by guards (02:09).

  “How would you like to sleep on a... concrete slab? Being starved, tortured with lights on you 24 hours a day?” – Kevin Lytchwick [02:09]

2. Victim’s Disappearance and Body Discovery

• Carlos Maldonado’s Routine & Disappearance:
  Last seen April 14, 2024, working in his garage, then vanishes. His daughter, Talisa, reports him missing after no response (05:49–06:29).
  • No signs point to where he’d gone—important documents left behind.
• Discovery of the Body:
  Six months later, groundskeeper Nathan Polly finds Carlos’s body hidden under branches and tarp near the apartment (07:47–08:22).
• Initial Investigation:
  The case stalls until a trail camera on the property identifies suspicious movements near where the body was found.

3. State’s Case Against Kevin Lytchwick

• Opening Statements & Evidence Outline:
  Prosecutor Tombasco frames the case as reconstructing a puzzle—surveillance footage, receipts, forensic evidence all play a part (09:52–13:41).
  • Trail Camera Footage:
    Shows Lytchwick moving near the body’s location at odd hours, disposing of trash bags, carrying tools (10:55–11:41, 60:05–62:41).
  • Physical Evidence:
    Receipts for large purchases of cleaning supplies and trash bags after the murder window, DNA on murder weapon, items (boots, rope) consistent with evidence at the scene (26:11–27:43, 39:00–39:53).
  • Documents in Lytchwick’s Apartment:
    Operation notes mention Carlos by name, label him a “threat,” and reference multiple “operations” to “neutralize” threats (40:47–42:24, 69:44–72:23).
• Google Searches & Digital Evidence:
  Searches about body disposal, Minnesota missing persons, and local shootings (which were not public knowledge at the time), autofill records for Carlos’s name (73:04–75:46, 77:35–79:48).

4. The Defense: Lytchwick’s Stand

• Self-Representation:
  Lytchwick maintains innocence, asserting no motive or connection to Carlos, and alleges police misconduct, evidence planting, and trial unfairness (14:04–15:55, 21:51–22:28).

  “The police have made gross exaggerations in their reports. And I do not recognize that firearm… I simply did not do this.” – Kevin Lytchwick [14:04]

• Alternate Suspects:
  Tries to suggest Nathan Polly (the groundskeeper), Carlos's girlfriend and her son-in-law, and others as potential suspects—these are mostly suppressed by pretrial rulings and by the judge (16:15–16:41, 84:39–85:22).
• Challenging Evidence:
  Claims the items found are circumstantial, dismisses the relevance of his hair dyeing, cleaning purchases, and asserts that “Operation” documents were not his (29:06–31:24, 72:46–73:04).
• Police Conduct Claims:
  Describes being threatened by officers, claims surveillance footage doctored, and alleges systemic corruption (22:28–23:46, 85:50–86:26).

5. Expert and Witness Testimony

• Cadaver Dog Search:
  K9 handler recounts her dog’s repeated “hits” in Carlos’s apartment, the garage, boiler room, and outside near where body was found (33:03–36:31).
• Receipts & Shopping Patterns:
  Detective testifies to the spike in cleaning purchases and inconsistent travel/renting patterns given Lytchwick’s fixed income (26:11–28:18, 48:08–48:28).
• Forensics:
  Specialist testifies that bullets from the victim matched the WWII-era German pistol found in Lytchwick’s car. DNA from blood on pistol and boots matches Lytchwick (51:24–55:47, 56:34–59:12).
• Surveillance Footage Analysis:
  Detectives identify Lytchwick on trail cam videos carrying trash bags and a tool, argue correspondence to items seized from his car (60:05–63:36, 61:20–62:09).
  • Lytchwick objects to many of these interpretations, but objections are largely overruled.

6. Documentary Evidence: “Operations” Notes

• Detailed plans and logs are presented. “Operation Slop Shop” directly names Carlos Maldonado as a threat, notes subsequently refer to him as “neutralized” (40:47–42:24, 69:44–72:23).

7. Contentious Cross-Examinations

• Discrepancy in Search Warrant Statement:
  Lytchwick catches Detective Stern in a report error regarding when Carlos’s name appeared on the search warrant (80:18–81:52).
• Cadaver Dog Hits & Boiler Room Access:
  Lytchwick presses on his lack of boiler room access; detective concedes he had no key but room was sometimes left open (82:10–83:52).
• Allegations of Planted Evidence & Corruption:
  Lytchwick presses on claims that officers planted evidence and are covering for the real killer (85:50–86:26). Judge repeatedly sustains objections by prosecution.

8. Closing Arguments

• Prosecution (Chelsea Thompson):
  Lines up the “pieces of the puzzle”—digital traces, operation documents, physical and forensic evidence, and the trail cam footage—accusing Lytchwick of a calculated execution (88:36–93:47).

  “That is the epitome of intent to kill, because that is two times you have to pull that trigger… That is deeply personal. That is intent. That is, I am removing this human being from this earth. That is the target.” – Chelsea Thompson [90:23]

• Defense (Kevin Lytchwick):
  Pleads innocence, asks jury to focus on reasonable doubt and the lack of motive, reiterates alleged police corruption (94:03–95:29).

  “If you have any doubts about my guilt, please find me not guilty… there is a corrupt element within our local Waukesha Police Department. And if you find me innocent, perhaps there will be some house cleaning.” – Kevin Lytchwick [94:03, 95:29]

9. Verdict and Aftermath

• Jury Deliberation:
  Jury takes less than an hour to find Lytchwick guilty. He awaits sentencing, facing mandatory life imprisonment (95:29).

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I question your rationality, sir.” – Kevin Lytchwick, challenging the judge [01:47]
• “Only the killer would have known that Mr. Maldonaro was the individual who was on that grounds.” – Prosecutor Tombasco [12:50]
• “This whole thing was bizarre.” – Lytchwick on the discovery of the body [21:03]
• “Operation Slop Shop... all threats from the first op have been neutralized.” – Detective Stern, quoting seized notes [72:23]
• “I did have a pistol in one of the bags that they found during their illegal car stop…” – Lytchwick, repeatedly arguing search legality [19:00]
• “I'm a law abiding citizen... I am an ex police officer myself. I served as a security police officer in the United States Air Force.” – Lytchwick’s appeal to jury [22:54]
• “The pistol found in the car had a towel wrapped around the barrel. Blood was located on the external area of the towel.” – Forensic testimony [57:34]

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:15] – Lytchwick’s opening protest, sick and unprepared
• [05:49] – Last sighting of Carlos Maldonado
• [07:47] – Discovery of Carlos’s body
• [09:52] – Prosecution opening, theory of the case
• [13:41] – Prosecution uses “puzzle” metaphor
• [14:04] – Lytchwick’s opening to the jury: “I am not guilty”
• [26:11] – Det. Barron on the significance of receipts and suspicious purchases
• [33:03] – Cadaver dog handler’s testimony
• [39:00] – Rope recovered in Lytchwick’s home, linked to murder scene
• [40:47] – Discovery and content of “Operation Slop Shop” documents
• [55:47] – Autopsy findings, bullet trajectory, and time of death
• [60:05] – Detailed analysis of surveillance footage
• [73:04] – Digital evidence: autofill and search history
• [82:10] – Cross-examination: Lytchwick on boiler room access
• [88:36] – Prosecution closing
• [94:03] – Lytchwick’s closing
• [95:29] – Jury verdict: guilty

---

Additional Insights

• Courtroom Tensions:
  Frequent objections, testy exchanges between Lytchwick, the judge, and the prosecution, illustrating the tension and stakes, especially with Lytchwick representing himself.
• Evidence Chain & Weaknesses:
  While forensics and documentary evidence are central, the state’s case is still largely circumstantial, and the lack of direct witness or a clear motive is repeatedly emphasized by the defense.
• Judge’s Role:
  The judge is consistent in steering Lytchwick back to court rules, reminding him to avoid editorializing or introducing suppressed evidence/issues.
• Lytchwick’s Narrative:
  He tries to introduce reasonable doubt, alternative suspects, and a narrative of systemic police abuse—though much of this is ruled inadmissible or irrelevant.

---

Conclusion

The episode offers a comprehensive, often tense inside look at a murder trial where the defendant, convinced of his innocence and railroaded by authorities, fervently challenges every aspect of the state’s case. Despite his vigorous (sometimes erratic) defense, a jury finds Kevin Lytchwick guilty after less than an hour of deliberation, largely persuaded by the prosecution’s puzzle pieces of digital, forensic, and circumstantial evidence. The episode raises important questions about self-representation, circumstantial prosecution, and justice for both victims and the accused.

---

Transcript

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

When it's time to scale your business, it's time for Shopify. Get everything you need to grow the way you want. Like all the way. Stack more sales with the best converting checkout on the planet. Track your cha chings from every channel right in one spot. And turn real time reporting into big time opportunities. Take your business to a whole new level. Switch to Shopify. Start your free trial today.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

Evening. Buyer's remorse.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Buy a new car.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

I'll be moving in. Let's get started.

[Narrator/Host]

Sorry, I think there's been a mistake. I bought it from Carvana.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

You what?

[Judge]

Yeah. Great price.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

I even have seven days to love it or return it.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

So there's no.

[Narrator/Host]

No, no Buyer's remorse. More like buyers rejoice.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

I guess I'll let myself out.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Congratulations.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

I mean it.

[Narrator/Host]

Buyers rejoice. Buy your car today. On Carvana.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Limitations and exclusions may apply. See our seven day return policy at

[Judge]

Carvana.com the State of Wisconsin versus Kevin Lytchwick. 24 CF1881.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Appearances, please.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

The state appears by Chelsea Thompson and Dan Tombasco. Also at council tables, Detective Ben Stern. Good morning.

[Judge]

Good morning, Mr. Lytchwick. Good morning, sir.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Good morning. Nothing, your honor. I'm not well. I need to lay down. Okay. I protest these proceedings. I'm being railroaded. I am not prepared to defend myself in this matter.

[Judge]

Mr. Lytchwick, we'll get to that in just one moment.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Attorney Thompson, you can hamstreng me every. Every attempt I've made to defend myself.

[Narrator/Host]

It was June 9, 2026, day two of the State of Wisconsin versus Kevin Litchwick. Kevin was disgruntled at the start of the day, telling the judge that he wasn't well and needed to lie down.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Mr. Lichwick, I am not feeling well today. He dragged me here and brutalized me. Look at this. Look what they did to me. Offered no resistance. They dragged me out of my bed. I question your rationality, sir.

[Narrator/Host]

Kevin did not want to continue with his trial.

[Judge]

Why do you feel that you need to lay down and rest?

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Because I'm sick, for one thing. I have a tear in my belly that needs to be repaired. And I refuse to take responsibility for the delays in the length of this. Of these proceedings. Because I needed medical attention. And you're saying I put it off? I did not. How would you like to sleep on a for 18 months, your honor? A concrete slab? Being starved, tortured with lights on you 24 hours a day? Guards harassing you when you're on the toilet? Can't even shower in peace or sleep in peace. I. I can't take this anymore.

[Narrator/Host]

Today we're covering a murder case with a defendant who is representing himself and maintaining that he's being set up by the police. Spoiler alert. The trial did continue after his complaints to the judge.

[Judge]

So Mr. Lywick will make sure that your hands are free and that you are secured by the ankle restraint, but you will still be in jail clothes. I'll tell the jury that they are not to consider anything about your appearance today and infer anything from that and not hold that against you and we'll proceed with the trial.

[Narrator/Host]

This is Gillian in partnership with law and crime. You are listening to Court Junkie. We originally got a Casper mattress, intending to use it for guests. But nowadays my daughter has seemingly taken it over and I can't say I blame her. This episode is sponsored by Casper. Casper makes reliable, high quality mattresses designed to deliver consistent, comfortable sleep night after night. Consumer Reports actually named Casper's the One. Their top rated all foam mattress of 20, 26 out of 99 mattresses. So if you're in the market for a new mattress or an Upgrade, head to Casper.com to save up to 30% off. Casper's mattresses are built to be durable and long lasting. You're not replacing this thing every few years. It's designed to maintain support and comfort over the long haul and they have a 100 night risk free trial so you can actually try it before you're fully committed. Although with 110,000 plus 5 star reviews, I have a feeling you're going to love it. We put our Casper snowmax in the guest bedroom and honestly, it's been a hit. We had a cousin visiting from North Carolina who raved about the quality of sleep he got and how comfortable it was. And Casper just launched a brand new kids mattress. So the youngest sleepers in your family can get the same quality too. My daughter would agree. Casper also offers a wide range of mattress types. So whether you like it firm, soft or somewhere in between, there's something for [e-mail] and Casper is one of those brands where I love that I can genuinely stand behind the product because when everyone who sleeps on it loves it, you know it's the real deal. Right now, save up to 30% on mattresses and up to 35% on everything else. When you go to Casper.com one last time, that's C A S P E R dot com and save up to 30% on the mattress you deserve. On April 14, 2024, 55 year old Carlos Maldonado went to a hardware store and then went back to his apartment in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Glenda Rose, a neighbor who had lived in the complex for more than 30 years and was the on site manager, recalled seeing Carlos that morning.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

What did you see Mr. Maldonado doing on April 14?

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

He was in the garage cutting up some wood.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

And then after that date, he just disappeared?

[Judge]

Yes.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Did you ever have any phone contact with him?

[Narrator/Host]

I tried.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Did he ever answer? No.

[Narrator/Host]

Carlos's daughter, Talisa Maldonado, tried to get in touch with her dad later that week. He never called her back or responded to any of her text messages, which was unusual. She became worried as the days went on. And in May 2024, she contacted the Waukesha Police Department to let them know her dad was missing.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

Talisa actually reported him missing. Okay. Because it was out of character for Carlos to actually not contact his daughter. This was something that whenever, whenever Talisa called Carlos at this point, Carlos was always very prompt in terms of getting back to her. So the fact that she had attempted to call her father and he hadn't gotten back to her, that was very suspicious.

[Narrator/Host]

An investigation started. Talisa went to her dad's apartment. Glenda let her in and she saw that everything had been left behind, including important documents like his birth certificate and diplomas. She had a bad feeling she couldn't shake. She called homeless shelters, hospitals, and she got so desperate she even started calling psychics. But months went by, no word from Carlos. Then six months later, on October 30, 2024, she got a call that her father's body had been found just behind the apartment complex where he lived. Here's Glenda again, after describing a call she had received that afternoon about how their groundskeeper, Nathan Polly, had been doing some yard work in a wooded area behind the complex when he made a discovery.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Can you describe for me what happened when you got that phone call?

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Nathan called. Actually, it was Terry called and said

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Nathan found a body outside.

[Narrator/Host]

Glenda said she went over to the area behind the building. At first glance, she saw a pile of branches and a tarp.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Now, when you walked up to it, you said you saw a body. What specifically did you see?

[Judge]

I saw the middle of a body

[Narrator/Host]

and legs and knees and shoes. Carlos Maldonado had been found. The body of 55 year old Carlos Maldonado had been in the woods for months.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

They start to investigate. They interview several people at the apartment complex. They canvass the area and to Be frank with you for a while, there wasn't looking very good. They were having some difficulty figuring out who did this, what were the circumstances surrounding this. They knew it was a homicide, but they didn't know who actually was responsible for this. And then what you're going to hear is they caught a huge break.

[Narrator/Host]

While canvassing the property after Carlos's body was found, investigators noticed a trail camera at the back of the building. When they were able to look at the footage, which started a couple weeks after Carlos's disappearance, they saw a suspicious figure walking around near where Carlos's body was found. The suspicious figure was Kevin lychek from apartment 11. After conducting a search warrant on his apartment and vehicle, Kevin was arrested and charged with first degree intentional homicide and hiding a corpse. Kevin's trial began in June 2026. Prosecutor Dan Tombasco gave the opening statements on behalf of the state of Wisconsin.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, this is why we're all gathered here today in this courtroom for Carlos, to figure out what happened to Carlos. Because the evidence is going to show that on April 14, 2024, this defendant, Kevin Lychik, murdered him. He shot him twice, once in the torso and once in the center of Carlos face. This is a picture of Carlos. This was a much better day for him than April 14, 2024. And I think it's important, before we talk about the facts of this case, to give you a little bit of information about who Carlos was as an individual in life, before we talk about what tragically happened to him.

[Narrator/Host]

He said Carlos lived in an apartment at 1512 East North street in Waukesha, that he had goals in life, he was planning on starting his own business, and he was very close with his daughter. Prosecutor Tombasco went on to detail the investigation into Carlos's disappearance and how that investigation led them to those trail cameras at the back of the complex.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

And what they found on that trail camera was the defendant, Mr. Lychak, walking around the area where Carlos's remains were found at very odd hours of the night. They saw the defendant carrying a white trash bag. They saw him suspiciously looking in windows of the apartment complex, as if he was looking to see if somebody was watching what he was doing. He was seen in one clip, and you're going to see this as well. As part of the state's presentation of evidence, he was wearing boots. At one point, he was kicking an item off his boots after he was seen walking in the area where Carlos body was ultimately discovered. And he also was carrying some sort of tool we don't exactly know what tool it was because of the quality of the video footage, but he's definitely carrying a tool as well.

[Narrator/Host]

He said there were also documents found in Kevin's apartment that point point to him as being the killer. Documents with Carlos's name on them, calling him a threat. He said when investigators conducted that search of Kevin's apartment, they handed him the search warrant. Just a small note here. You'll notice throughout this episode that prosecutor Tombasco frequently says Carlos Maldonado's last name wrong.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

What we do in Waukesha county is we try not to include victims names in court documents because they have a right to privacy. We want to make sure that we're not unknowingly exposing their name or their information to the public for their own protection. So the search warrant that was given to Mr. Lichak only said victim A. That's all it said, victim A. Yet you're going to Hear that when Mr. Lychak was given a copy of that warrant and he looked at it, he exclaimed, quote, Carlos Maldonaro. I had nothing to do with that.

[Narrator/Host]

He said at that point, police hadn't made public that the body they had found was Carlos.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

The evidence is going to show that only the killer would have known that Mr. Maldonaro was the individual who was on that grounds. When Mr. Lychak made that statement, he

[Narrator/Host]

told the jury, they have DNA evidence and suspicious Google search terms in the case, too. He explained that motive is different than intent.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

We have to prove intent to you, but we don't have to prove motive. Now, that stated more simply, we don't have to prove why he did it, but we have to prove that he did it and he acted with intent.

[Narrator/Host]

He said when they were sitting down and thinking about the best framework to present this case to a jury, they came up with the idea of a puzzle. He said, when you first sit down and start a puzzle, you may not be able to see the full picture, but as you add pieces to it, the bigger picture emerges.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

So Googling, for example, how to dispose of food safely, spoiled food safely, may seem pretty innocuous, but when you consider all of the other evidence that we're going to present, what it is, is it shows. It's one more piece of the puzzle showing that Mr. Wyczczek is the individual who's responsible for the murder in this case.

[Narrator/Host]

When it was his turn, Kevin Lietzwyk spoke to the jury.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, quite simply, I am not guilty of this crime. I feel Sorry for my poor neighbor, but I did not know him well enough to have any animus against him even. And I have never killed anyone in my life. The largest warm blooded animal that I've ever killed was a skunk that walked in front of my car by accident years ago. I. I am not a killer. The police in this matter have a largely circumstantial case. I don't know how exactly they circumvene on me, but I simply did not do this. I am unprepared for this trial. I am in poor health. I was in poor health in doctoring at the time that they arrested me. And they knew that. The police have made gross exaggerations in their reports. And I do not recognize that firearm. This is the first time I am seeing a picture of the firearm used in this murder, and I do not recognize it. That was not in the trunk of my car when they stopped me. They did not have a warrant when they stopped me.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

Objection.

[Judge]

The objection's overruled at this time. The warrant was discussed in the state's opening. Mr. Lechwick, though I will remind you that you're venturing a little into argumentative territory. So I want you to just focus on what you believe the evidence will show, and you can infer arguments in your closing arguments.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Okay? All right.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

Go ahead.

[Narrator/Host]

As for the search warrant without Carlos's name on it, he said he and everyone else in the complex knew that Carlos was missing and that they had been looking for him. He called the allegation that only the killer must have known it was Carlos a gross exaggeration.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

I don't know how the detective can wear his badge with honor and blow something like this out of proportion and use this as an excuse to center on me in this affair.

[Narrator/Host]

He said he was also never walking around the area where the poor man was found.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

I was never in that area. And yet the state is telling you that. That I was walking in the area where the poor man was found. I was not. I was never in that area. Quite the contrary. The man who discovered the body and was an initial suspect of this crime, Mr. Polly, who is now missing.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

Objection. Relevance.

[Judge]

Mr. Lytchwyk, I'm going to sustain that objection. I'm not sure how the testimony is going to come out regarding that, but I think that's something that's outside the scope of this trial. So I want you to focus on the evidence that will be shown in this trial. You may proceed.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

I would like to say that Mr. Polly was the one who Was.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

Objection.

[Judge]

I don't know what his next statement's going to be. What were you going to say, Mr. Lychwick? You want to say that Mr. Polley is.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Mr. Polley, a very suspicious character in this building to begin with, was seen quite frequently in the area where the poor man was found. Where the remains were found by this poor man.

[Judge]

Hang on one moment. Attorney Tombosko, are you objecting to that statement?

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

Absolutely.

[Judge]

Why is that?

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

Because. Because it's contrary to this court's pretrial rulings regarding Denny evidence.

[Judge]

Mr. Lytchwick, I'm sustaining that objection at this point. Point, I want you to focus on the state's opening, your opening, the evidence that you believe will be presented. And I'm reminding you of the scope of some of my pre trial rulings about what can come in and what cannot come in into evidence. You may proceed.

[Narrator/Host]

Kevin continued talking about the surveillance footage.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

In my defense here, you know, the prosecution is maintaining that Mr. Lefabre of his camera captured me walking around in the area that I lived in. I had reasons for being out a few times that I went out at night as anybody. I'm living in a wilderness area. We're not allowed pets in my buildings. I put food out for the rabbits. I carry a rake to clean up the area under the tree where I leave the lettuce rinds that I give the rabbits. I also curious as to where the local possums that are supposed to hang out in our pine trees live. I was accused by the prosecution here of carrying a firearm when I was out. As you'll see in the videos that Mr. Flabberg took with his trail camera, that is not a firearm.

[Judge]

And it is.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

It has been recognized as not a firearm. And if the state maintains that it is, I will object to that because it is a flashlight in an old camera case on my belt. I did not walk around with a pistol. I did have a pistol in one of the bags that they found during their illegal car stop. And it was.

[Judge]

Objection, the objection.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

Again, he's violating the court's pretrial ruling.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Okay.

[Judge]

Mr. Lytchwick, there were motions heard before the trial about legality and illegality of any searches. The court has made a ruling that the searches in this case were valid and they were constitutional. So I'm not going to permit arguments that the searches were not legal. You may continue.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Well, the police did not have a search warrant at the time that they took my car.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

Objection.

[Judge]

Again, that, Mr. Lytchwick, is something that would be ruled on pretrial. It's not a trial issue for this jury to determine whether or not there was a warrant present. You may continue.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Oh, I'm up against a lot here, ladies and gentlemen of the jury. I. I am a God fearing man. I'm telling you, I did not know the poor victim. I did not even know him to where. If I saw him in a store or he saw me, we would have said anything to one another. It is a 16 unit apartment building. We have multiple people living in each unit. And I have my lady friend and I spend a lot of time away from my 16 unit building. My own business, minding my own business. We all are good people in that building. We mind our own business.

[Narrator/Host]

He said as he told a Channel 4 reporter who interviewed him shortly after Carlos was found. This whole thing was bizarre.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Right around Halloween, they find the poor man and nobody heard anything or saw anything. It was. It was just bizarre.

[Narrator/Host]

He said it was also false that he had Carlos's name written on any documents found in his apartment.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

I had nothing, nothing at all with the victim's name on it. I did not know the victim that well. I'm sure he was a very nice man and everything, but I would have liked to have known him probably, but I simply did not.

[Narrator/Host]

Kevin tried to tell the jury why he was representing himself, but the prosecution objected and the judge agreed that wasn't relevant.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

I have developed evidence through the discovery process in this case that strongly will prove that the Waukesha Police Department, namely five to seven of these officers and detectives involved in this case, have compiled this evidence on their own. That they have falsely introduced this evidence against me. It is not just, it is not legal what they are doing.

[Narrator/Host]

He told the jury that right before his arrest, police did a traffic stop on him and that the footage from that was doctored. He said after they seized his car, he got a ride home with one of the officers and that the officer threatened him, telling him that he better back them up about having stopped him for speeding. He said the officer was holding on to his pistol in a threatening manner when he said it.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

I emphatically deny any involvement in this crime. I am a law abiding citizen. I am. I am a. A good Christian of the Lutheran faith. I am a responsible citizen. I am an ex police officer myself. I served as a security police officer in the United States Air Force. And I must ask you to consider the fact that a person is considered innocent until proven guilty in this country. And I certainly am not guilty of this crime. And if A travesty of justice is allowed to take place at the culmination of this trial. The perpetrators of this crime will be allowed to roam free and perhaps kill again.

[Narrator/Host]

If you've ever traveled with me, you know I overpack for every trip, but my husband and I just got back from Cancun and I realized that the things I ended up wearing over and over again were the items I got from Quinn's. That's why I love Quince. They make elevated essentials using premium materials like European linen, organic cotton and washable silk without the traditional retail markup. Their 100% European linen pants, dresses and tops are the pieces you'll reach for all summer long. Lightweight, effortless to style and starting at just $32. Their denim is soft and comfortable and their organic cotton sweaters are perfect for layering when evenings cool down. And if you're looking for jewelry, they have that too. Quince's 14 karat gold jewelry includes things like simple hoops or delicate chains. Everything at quince is priced 50 to 80% less than similar brands because they work directly with ethical factories and cut out the middlemen. So you're paying for quality, not markup. My latest favorite from Quince has been my most utilized swimsuit so far this summer, an Italian high rise bikini bottom and scoop neck top in deep palm green. The fabric feels so much more substantial than I expected for the price and I love that the top has actual structure to it instead of feeling flimsy. It's not just apparel though. Quince also offers elevated essentials for your home. From bedding and bath to kitchen, essentials and furniture make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to quince.comcourt for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns now available in Canada too. That's Q U I n c e.com court for free shipping and 365 day returns. Quince.com court detective Jessica Barron with the Waukesha Police Department was involved in the execution of the search warrant at Kevin Lytchwick's apartment. Inside, investigators had found documents that were of interest to their murder case, including receipts.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

These receipts that you had found, were they for stores located here in the city of Waukesha?

[Narrator/Host]

Yes, they were.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

And were there certain receipts that you notated in your report that had evidentiary value as it related to the timeline of Mr. Maldonado's death? Yes, I noticed that his spending has increased in certain months. Specifically the receipts that I had looked at, you could see from Woodman's, Dollar Tree, Walmart things like that.

[Narrator/Host]

They included a lot of cleaning supplies,

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

an excess of cleaning supplies. What I would say, typically when someone shops somewhere, they have. If they go to a dollar store, they have one that they prefer, whether it's close to their home or work or things like that. Mr. Leischewick was going to multiple dollar stores, multiple Walmart, and even in the same day, within a few hours, to purchase things such as rubber gloves, bleach, and what I would consider an excessive supply of salt, flyaway spray,

[Narrator/Host]

air fresheners, candles, things like that. In the days immediately following Carlos's presumed death on April 14, Kevin had purchased multiple boxes of latex gloves, scrub buddies, masking tape, candles, airspray, heavy duty pet training pads, large trash bags, bleach, 5 pounds of iodized salt, and more heavy duty cleaning supplies.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

In reviewing the totality of the either receipts or other financial records from Mr. Leischwick's apartment, did you notice any change in the pattern of purchases as it specifically relates to garbage bags on or about the time that Mr. Maldonado was killed and after? Yes. So according to the bank statements and receipts and things that I looked over, there seemed to be an excessive amount of purchases regarding cleaning supplies and trash bags and things like that in April, May and June.

[Narrator/Host]

She noted that after Kevin became a suspect, she reviewed a video from a prior traffic stop from May 2024, where Kevin had been stopped by police.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Did you notice what color hair Mr. Leischwick had during that traffic stop? It was great. Did there come a time in this investigation where you had in person contact with Mr. Leischwick? Yes. Do you recall the approximate date that happened? I believe it was the end of November. May 29th? Possibly. What color hair did he have at that time when you met him? At the end of November? In person?

[Narrator/Host]

It was jet black. The receipts from Kevin's purchases were moved into evidence, but Kevin had an objection.

[Judge]

What is your objection?

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Those are. Those are general receipts from my everyday life. They have nothing to do with the murder of this poor man.

[Judge]

Okay, so your objection is relevance.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Relevance. All right.

[Judge]

I think based upon the testimony of the witness, I'll overrule that objection. The state can draw inferences from the evidence. You can draw inferences from the evidence. But on a relevance ground, I'm overruling that objection. So exhibit 140 will come into evidence. Do you have cross examination, Mr. Lychwick?

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Yes, I do.

[Judge]

All right, go ahead.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Detective Behrend, is it against the law for a man to dye his hair?

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

No.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

So why is. Why are you making an issue out of the fact that during a traffic stop earlier in the year of 2024, my hair was gray. I hadn't had a chance to dye it. And then when I met you, during your investigation this poor man's death, my hair was jet black because my girlfriend liked my hair black.

[Judge]

Why was that an issue with you, Mr. Lytchwick? The witness was answering a question posed by the state's attorney. The question was asked, the witness answered. That's the reason for that answer. So you can ask another question.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Your Honor, she also made an issue out of it in her police report. Okay, well,

[Judge]

ask your next question, Mr. Lightchwood.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

So then you seem to indicate that I'm buying a lot of certain materials, but yet you find that suspicious? Because I live alone. You don't know what I'm doing all of my time. And if I'm alone or not, I have a love life as well, Detective. And you're well aware of that, too, because we discussed my girlfriend at one point. So why you're leading the jury on to believe that I'm living alone and buying pounds of salt that I don't need and things like this. It's just an exaggeration, which is quite a habit with you and Detective Stern during this investigation into my private life and trying to link me to this crime.

[Judge]

All right, Mr. Lychwick, you have to ask questions. You cannot testify, and you can't editorialize, either. So if you have a question for this witness, now is your time to ask it.

[Narrator/Host]

Kevin continued with his questions, and the detective conceded that she doesn't know the details of his personal life and why he would be purchasing anything. On the second day of trial, Alex Le Fay testified that he lived in the same apartment complex as Kevin and Carlos. He said both Kevin and Carlos lived on the second floor. He lived on the first. He testified that he installed a trail camera at the back of the complex so he could keep track of his progress with his garden. Footage from the camera was displayed for the jury from May 2, 2024, at 12:41am Anthony identified Kevin Leichwick as the person walking around. More video clips were entered into evidence. The judge asked Kevin, seated at the defense table, if there were any objections. And Kevin reiterated that he wasn't feeling well, as he had said earlier in the day. But as the judge continued to ask him about each clip being entered into evidence, Kevin just completely stopped answering.

[Judge]

Any objection to Exhibit 69, Mr. Leichwick? The record will reflect that Mr. Lytchwick is sitting still in his chair with his eyes closed, and he is non responsive to the court. Court is speaking in a loud enough voice to wake up anyone who would legitimately be sleeping. The defendant is choosing not to answer the court's inquiries. Exhibit 69 is received into evidence.

[Narrator/Host]

Karen Corcoran Gummen is a retired officer with the City of Madison Police Department. She now owns her own company called K9 Search Solutions, which does voluntary cadaver dog work in addition to training law enforcement officers. On November 19, 2024, she was contacted by the police in Waukesha to help them in this case. She went to the apartment complex where the body of Carlos Maldonado had been found a few weeks prior and brought her dog, Moxie. When she let Moxie out of the car, the dog immediately went right to the spot where the body had been found. From there they went into the complex parking garage. She took Moxie's leash off and Moxie gave her trained final response in the door frame. Going into a boiler room. Moxie then led her to a workbench where she again gave her trained final response.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

After that indication, I began to move through the space more methodically with her.

[Narrator/Host]

She was self sniffing, but moved past

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

the workbench and then in that far corner there's remnants of carpet. She dropped her nose underneath. I don't recall if she snorted or not, but she backed right out, looked at me and gave her a trained final response. If I make the screen larger. In that back corner there, you see all those rolled up carpets? Yes. Can you circle on exhibit 80 where you saw Moxie give her trained final response approximately that green circle.

[Narrator/Host]

They then left the room with Moxie guiding her back into the garage. Moxie gave another two trained final responses in a vacant part of the parking lot. Moxie then went inside the apartment building, up the staircase into apartment 13, which was Carlos's apartment. They went inside and Moxie gave another trained final response in the kitchen area near the kitchen sink. Moxie then continued down the hallway to a bedroom.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

And once Moxie is inside that bedroom, does she give any train final responses? She self initiated going in there. She did extend her nose up to an empty dresser area, up higher and conducted her train final response that she detected the odor of human remains. Okay, once you are finished in apartment 13, is there any other location on the property where Moxie is taken? We did an exterior around the actual building and she did not indicate around the building to the fact that she detected the odor of human remains.

[Narrator/Host]

And then we went up the concrete

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

stairs to the northwest. And I took her off traffic lead. And she pushed forward again. And then she cut more into the woods. And as I was following her, she dropped her nose down along a log, Nose straight down. And then turned around and gave me direct eye contact and conductor trained final response that she detected the odor of human remains.

[Narrator/Host]

Moxie gave one more trained final response, also outside near the wooded area.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

So if human remains were found, let's say October 30th of 2024, and now moxie is hidden in that area on November 19th of 2024, that odor could still be in the soil, Is that what you're saying? Yes. What if somebody were to, after the remains were removed, walk through that area? Would the odor attach to something maybe that that person is wearing?

[Narrator/Host]

Yes.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

If someone were potentially gardening in that area, and let's say they take those gardening tools and put them back in the boiler room where you saw gardening tools, could the odor of those human remains follow that gardening item into that boiler room? Yes. And would it be fair to say that moxie is not detecting the odor of human remains of a specific person? Is that fair? That is correct. They're trained to detect the odor of human remains. Upon death, we become generic human cadaver odor. Okay. So without finding any human remains, as you were next to moxie during her responses, and if I were to tell you that a body was not recovered in apartment 13 based on your training experience, how could you account for the fact that moxie gives a trained final response in apartment 13, knowing there's no body there, based off the information that a body was decomposing for six to seven months? For a human remains detection dog, Everything is probably contaminated within that driveway. Anybody that's been walking around in that area, and that was the only apartment we sniffed. So I couldn't say if everybody was contaminated by it, but it gets into everything.

[Narrator/Host]

On November 26, 2024, Detective Tyler Bauer assisted with the execution of the search warrant at Kevin's apartment, apartment number 11.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

Turning your attention to the defendant's bedroom, Was there a particular item on a chair next to the defendant's bed that stood out to you during your search?

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Correct.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

There was a rope. I'm sorry? There was a rope. Do you recognize what is depicted in this photograph, sir? Yes, I do. Can you please describe. Appears to be a knotted up or tied white piece of rope around a what appears to be a folding chair. And this is the rope that you located in Mr. Lychik's bedroom?

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Correct. Okay.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

I now move the exhibit into Evidence and ask that it be received.

[Judge]

Mr. Leitwick, do you have any objection to the receipt of exhibit number 88? The defendant is refusing to acknowledge the court. Exhibit 88 is admitted.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

Thank you. Detective, based on your role in this particular investigation, what, if anything, is the significance of those two pieces of rope that you just displayed for the jury? It's my understanding that the rope on the chair was consistent with the rope located on the decedent.

[Narrator/Host]

He said they also recovered some items of significance in Kevin's living room.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

There are numerous files, photographs, articles in the living room area, either outside or inside file cabinets or something of that similar nature. Some of it including case reviews on prior criminals and notes on them or operations. Was there one particular operation that caught your attention, sir? Yes. And was that an operation that was detailed as, quote, operations? Operation Slop Shop? That's correct. And did you locate any notes that contained the phrase operation Slop Shop? Yes, I did. And if I showed you that here today in court, do you believe that you would recognize it, sir? Yes, your honor, I would Ask again the court's permission to approach the witness to show a physical exhibit.

[Judge]

Which exhibit is this?

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

This is exhibit number 146.

[Judge]

Mr. Lytchwick, would you like an opportunity to review 146 before. Before it is used with the witness? Mr. Lytchwick remains unresponsive. Therefore, attorney Tombasco, you may approach.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

Thank you very much. And the detective, can you please describe what you are looking at for the jury?

[Judge]

Yes.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

It appears to be approximately a half sheet of a computer paper with handwriting on it. Is the deceased's name, Carlos Maldonaro, indicated in any way on that exhibit?

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Sir?

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

Carlos Maldonado's name is on here. Correct. And is. Is that the. The exhibit that you located in the defendant's living room?

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Correct.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

And does that fairly inaccurately depict the note as you found it when you participated in the search of the defendant's residence? Yes. Detective, is. Is there any point on this exhibit where Mr. Maldonaro is indicated as a threat? There's a Operation Slop Shower references him connected to subjects and threats. I believe that says something along the lines of operation. It's hard to read the last word. I see. And did you locate any other operation folders when you participated in the search of the defendant's living room?

[Narrator/Host]

I did.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

And to your knowledge, did any of those operation photos or. Excuse me, those operation folders contain any information about any additional operations in reference to Operations Slap Shop? I believe they did, yes. Did one of the folders have an indication regarding whether the threats from Operation Slop Shop had been neutralized? I was made aware that there was reference to that.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Yes.

[Narrator/Host]

It said the threat had been neutralized. The trial continued after the lunch break on day two.

[Judge]

The court will make a record that Mr. Lycwich, again, consistent with this morning, is produced in his wheelchair in jail. Orange. The Court notes that Mr. Lychewyck's hair appears to have been combed or slicked back a little bit better. So he is not as disheveled as he was earlier today. Mr. Lychwick, did you have an opportunity to retrieve all of your trial notes and exhibits and things like that from this morning?

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Are you going to start these proceedings? I am here under duress. I am not.

[Judge]

Well, did you want to retrieve your trial notes and exhibits to assist you in court today? No, Mr. Lytchwick.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

I want to be able to address the jury and tell them what I'm going through and what you put me through and what I think of you.

[Judge]

That will not be allowed. Mr. Lytwick. Mr. Lytwick, I've been advised by my deputy that you have something in your ears, like makeshift earplugs or something like that. Is that true?

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

That's my business. That's true. And they're gonna stay there as far as I'm concerned.

[Judge]

I just want to make sure that you are still going to be able to hear the proceedings, that you hear me, you hear the witness testimony and things like that. So that's why I bring it up. As long as you can hear, I'll let you proceed with the makeshift earplugs in, if that's your choice. If at any point you can't hear, though, I want to know that, so that we can either make accommodations for it or have them removed. Understand?

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

I don't understand you at all, because I. I can hear fine. I just am not up to processing what I hear or dealing with it. And you know that. You must know that.

[Judge]

Anything else you want to state for the record before we continue?

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Mr. Lytchwick, again, I protest these here at this.

[Judge]

This.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

This. These proceedings. I am here under duress. This trial is a sham. I am being railroaded.

[Narrator/Host]

The testimony continued. Erin Christensen is a crime prevention specialist with the Waukesha Police Department. She also looks into location records and creates maps for detectives to use in their cases. She was asked to create maps from the phone records in this case. Looking at Carlos Maldonado's phone records, she could see that he went to Home Depot On April 14, 2024, the morning of his disappearance, before heading back to his apartment where it remained. She said she wasn't able to get any location data from Kevin's phone. Detective David Fine testified about the cell phone data from the phones in this case. He said he was trying to establish a timeline from when Carlos's phone was last used. At 9:20am Carlos called home Depot. After that, for the rest of the day and into the following day, the phone received multiple incoming calls and text messages, but all of them were missed. Detective Bryce Skelton responded to apartment 11, which was Kevin's apartment, on November 26, 2024. He was assisting with the search warrant. He testified that he, too, collected a large amount of paperwork from Kevin's living room.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

In terms of some of the paperwork that you located, are you familiar with a particular operation known as Operation Starling? Yes, I am. And in reference to this particular Operation Starling, can you just tell the jury a little bit more what exactly is the connection between Operation Starling and this particular case? So, as we were going through the paperwork, we came across several different. Like operations, Detective Bauer had located a piece of paper in the apartment that was Operation Slop Shop. This is different than that. It was located in a different folder that I found back at the police department. But this operation referenced Operation Slop Shop.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

And.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

And in operation, it stated that Operation Slap Shop needed to be executed first. And then on the bottom of the paperwork, I believe it also stated it was written in different ink where it then stated that the operation could commence because Operation Slop Shop had been executed and all threats from that operation were neutralized. And I knew that from Bowers piece of paper. That's where Maldonado's name was written on that. So that's how I know they were linked.

[Narrator/Host]

On December 1, 2024, investigators began tracking Kevin's vehicle via a GPS warrant that was signed by a judge. They believed he was going to a storage unit that he had been searching online. By this time, they had obtained his cell phone and viewed his online activity. Investigators followed his vehicle in an unmarked car to a U Haul storage facility in Kimberly, Wisconsin. Kevin was there for about 20 minutes. After calling the facility themselves, investigators found out that he had closed his account and emptied all of his belongings out of the unit.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

Why did you find that sort of storage unit to be suspicious? For several reasons. First off, the location and its proximity to Waukesha, where Mr. Lachwyck resides. There's numerous storage units in our city, in Waukesha county, as well as Milwaukee County.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

I also found out that through the

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

search warrant at the residence, he kept detailed notes regarding his budget. And every month he would budget approximately 40 to $50 for gasoline for the month. I thought it was suspicious that being on a fixed income, he would, you know, have a storage unit nearly two hours away and burning through that budget in one trip. So to us it was clear that if he was trying to get a storage unit that far away, he was clearly trying to distance himself from whatever he was trying to put in that storage unit. Unit.

[Narrator/Host]

Detective Skalton later obtained the surveillance video from the facility. Kevin could be seen loading duffel bags into the trunk of his vehicle. As Kevin was on his way home, a traffic stop was conducted where his vehicle was searched. Inside were all the items Kevin had removed from the storage facility, including a firearm. On October 30, 2024, shortly after Carlos body was found, Detective David Plata responded to 1512 E. North St. To apartment 13, Carlos's apartment, to conduct a search.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

And when you made entry into the apartment, can you describe the condition of that particular apartment?

[Detective Ben Stern]

The apartment looked like a normal apartment, you know, normal life. There didn't appear to be any sort of signs of a struggle, appear to be anything in disarray. Was a lived in look in the apartment with nobody in it.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

Did it appear to you to be fairly clean?

[Detective Ben Stern]

Yes.

[Narrator/Host]

Two days later, he went back to the apartment to conduct a more thorough investigation. He said they used something called blue star blood stain Regent, which is a different version of luminol, to see if there was any blood. They got a minimal reaction in the bathroom sink, but the response was so minimal that it was determined that it could have been just through natural use of the sink, like shaving.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

If Carlos had been killed in that or. Excuse me, Mr. Maldonaro had been killed in that particular apartment that he lived in, would you expect to have seen more of a reaction when you did the blue star latent blood stained region?

[Detective Ben Stern]

It would depend on how or where he was killed. If he was killed on something that in there that could have been removed and that would have absorbed any blood, then we would not have had any reaction. But if it was not, we would probably expected to find at least some sort of reaction or something if he was injured, that there would be something like where he tried to clean up from an injury, that there would be the reaction in a tub or a sink or something somewhere.

[Narrator/Host]

He also testified about the search of Kevin's vehicle.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

Do you know whether there was a. A particular boot that belonged to Mr. Leischwick, that was recovered from the vehicle?

[Detective Ben Stern]

Yes, there were. There was a heavier outside utility type boot.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

Type of boot, sir?

[Detective Ben Stern]

Yes.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

Okay. And did you do anything specifically with reference to this boot?

[Detective Ben Stern]

Yes, I observed that there was kind of a reddish stain on the boot. So we collected a couple swabs of it in case it was possibly blood for further analysis.

[Narrator/Host]

He said a firearm, a World War II era silver pistol, was located in the trunk. Specialist Andrew Schmidt with the Waukesha Police Department testified more about what was recovered from the crime scene. He said a white rope or rope like substance had been located around the victim and that two copper colored metal projectiles were found. One projectile came from Carlos's head and the other from his torso. Specialist Jessica Crawford told the court that she concluded that the projectiles recovered from Carlos's body came from the gun found in Kevin's car. Doctor Amy Scheele is an associate medical examiner who performed the autopsy on Carlos's body here. She identified photos of the rope that was found.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Moving on to exhibit 136. What are we looking at at here? This is the length of rope that was around Mr. Maldonado's head region. Exhibit 137. The rope that was around his upper chest and right shoulder region. The knots are all still intact. Yes. Exhibit 138, the rope that was around his ankles. In Exhibit 139, the rope that was around his pelvis and legs. And that's further designated with front and back. When we say back, is that underneath him?

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Yes.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Okay.

[Narrator/Host]

She said when examining the skull, she could determine that the bullet passed through the front of the skull to the back and exited through the back of the skull, where it then remained underneath the scalp tissue where it was recovered. The trajectory was front to back, slightly upward and slightly right to left. As for the torso, the trajectory of the bullet started on the front right side of the body and continued in an angular fashion towards the left and back. It was an injury that could have been fatal.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

When we talk about the trajectory of the bullets, obviously we can determine that here based on what we have. Are you able to tell how close an individual was to Mr. Maldonado when these two gunshots were fired?

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

No.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Why not? We don't have any skin surrounding the entrance gunshot wounds that might show a soot or sippling, which is gunpowder tattooing of the skin surrounding the entrance gunshot wound. Because we don't have soft tissue or skin to detail those entrances for us, we cannot determine range of fire. Is that something you could otherwise do if you still had soft tissue? Yes. If maybe we had found Mr. Maldonado the day after he was killed? Correct. Are you able to tell, based on your examination and the state of Mr. Maldonado's body, which gunshot wound happened first?

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

No.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

If you had. No. If you still had soft tissue or if we had located Mr. Maldonado's body the day after he was killed, is that something you might be able to determine? There would be more of a chance of determining that, yes. If he had been fresh.

[Narrator/Host]

She said she was able to estimate that his death occurred on April 14, 2024. She said he was last caught on video at Home Depot on April 14th wearing the same clothes she identified on him at the autopsy. Pamela Taylor is a DNA analyst with the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory. She testified that typically they will get a dried blood sample from a decedent's autopsy, but that in this case, the condition of Carlos blood was not sufficient to do for testing. They then attempted to get a sample from his scalp hair to possibly produce a DNA profile, but were unable to do that either. She was shown photos of all the items that were sent to the lab for testing.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Are these photos of the firearm as it came in from the police department?

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

Yes.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

I would move exhibits 158 to 163 into evidence.

[Judge]

Any objection to the admission of those exhibits? Mr. Lytchwick, this is outrageous.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

I never saw this gun before. This is not my pistol.

[Judge]

That is not an objection. Therefore, those exhibits will be received.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Thank you. I would also ask to publish to

[Judge]

the jury any objection to publication of those exhibits.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Mr. Lytchwick, to all of us, your

[Judge]

objections noted over the objection of the defense, these pictures may be used with the jury.

[Narrator/Host]

She testified about the swab from the boots that had been found in Kevin's car. The swab from the right boot was consistent with Kevin's DNA. The swab from the left boot didn't meet the qualifications for interpretation. The pistol found in the car had a towel wrapped around the barrel. Blood was located on the external area of the towel.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

When you analyze both the cutting of the blood staining and then the cut of a stain on the exterior towel, did you observe single source male profiles consistent with each other?

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

Yes.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Okay. And are they consistent then with the profile from Kevin Leischwick?

[Judge]

Yes, they are.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

And again, we see here that 1,000,000,000 number, is that right?

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

That's correct.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Now, item AD5C appears to be another cutting of a stain on the exterior towel. Is that correct?

[Judge]

Yes.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

In this cutting we see that there's a two person mixture. Is that right?

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

Yes.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Now, can you explain to the jury then your conclusion on AD5C? That particular cutting from that exterior blue towel.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

So a two person mixture means there are two people contributing to that profile. Each of my locations will have three or four numbers that represent those short tandem repeat sections. And this is again separated by Starmix into the percentages. So just estimating the percentage of contributors,

[Judge]

say if I have an 80% contributor

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

to 20% contributor, this is asking the

[Judge]

question, is this profile Best explained with

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Mr. Lyswick's DNA in one other person, or is it better explained as two unknown people?

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

And in this case, it is a

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

very strong support for inclusion that the profile is better explained with Mr. Lyswick's

[Judge]

profile in an unknown individual.

[Narrator/Host]

There were rubber bands around the towel and those contained a three person mixture with at least one of the mixtures being a male. She said Nathan Polly, the maintenance man who found the body, was excluded. Kevin's profile was included. Swabs from the pistol had male DNA found on the trigger, but they were unable to test it further. Swabs from the grip of the pistol resulted in a single source male profile consistent with Kevin. Detective Ben Stern was the last witness for the state. The prosecutor played the surveillance footage from the trail cams again. On May 2, 2024 at 12:41am an individual can be seen wearing heavy ankle boots, a cutoff T shirt, pants and a hat.

[Detective Ben Stern]

If I could ask you to maybe go back to the 00 mark, you get a little better of a view here. There is a. What appears to be a white plastic bag and a black. Some sort of material. The video quality is obviously not perfect, so it's hard to definitively say what those things are, but they appear to be some sort of plastic materials being carried out. There's also what appears to be a wooden handle with some sort of black material wrapped around the very end of it in the right hand.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Yeah.

[Judge]

What's your objection?

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

He's making assumptions and he doesn't even know what he's talking about here.

[Judge]

Okay. The witness was asked to interpret what he views on the video and is offering that opinion. You certainly have a right to cross examine the witness on that point. So the objection's overruled. The answer will stand. Next question.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Thank you. Now, as we continue on in this investigation, and now we start looking at an individual named Kevin Leishwick as a potential suspect, do you ever locate items within his possession that look consistent with what you see? On this trail camera video here.

[Detective Ben Stern]

Yes. Eventually we do a search of his vehicle, which we'll likely discuss further. But during the search of the vehicle on December 2, pursuant to a search warrant obtained for that search, he located a gravel shovel with a wooden handle that appeared to be cut down with black duct tape around the end. To me, that appears to match what we are seeing in the right hand on this particular video clip. There's also several black plastic sheeting, garbage bags, contractor bags that are located during that search that are consistent with what he's holding in his left hand.

[Narrator/Host]

He said the person in the video was walking in the direction of where Carlos's body was eventually found.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Okay. With exhibit 67, were you able to see if the person who had been identified as Mr. Leischwick was wearing anything on his hands?

[Detective Ben Stern]

Yes. In that video, you'll note that there appear to be black gloves on his hands.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Do you see that shovel anymore?

[Judge]

No.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

What about the plastic sheeting or the darker item that he was carrying from exhibit 66?

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Nope.

[Detective Ben Stern]

And this video clip doesn't appear that he's carrying anything back that we had seen in the previous clip.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Now, when Mr. Leischwick is going down those concrete steps that we see before the video stops, what do those steps lead to?

[Detective Ben Stern]

Those steps lead down to the overhead garage door, the one that would lead you into the underground parking area.

[Narrator/Host]

The prosecutor continued to play the video from that night.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Did you see that individual do anything with his shoes or his feet?

[Detective Ben Stern]

What I observed with that individual was kicking off both shoes using the concrete slab that that pole is attached to, kind of as a surface. To me, it appears that trying to kick something off of the shoes the way you would clear off mud.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Also, on the right hip of that individual, did you notice anything in his hip area?

[Detective Ben Stern]

Yeah, on the right hip, there seems to be an L shaped object, seems to be some sort of holster attached to the right hip. And that's just something that was noticeable, that in all the videos from this date.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

And are you able to tell with the quality of this video exactly what that item is on his hip?

[Detective Ben Stern]

No, from this quality of video, I cannot tell exactly what that is in the video.

[Narrator/Host]

The person then goes again to the underground parking area.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Did you see that person have anything

[Detective Ben Stern]

in his hands in this last video clip? No, there's nothing in the hands.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

But did you see this individual do something different than we've seen so far in the other exhibits?

[Detective Ben Stern]

Yes, I noted that he peeks into that back door as described by.

[Judge]

What's the objection?

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

He's assuming something that was not true. I was looking to see if I wanted to take the stairs for exercise or not, and I decided to go down through the garage. Mr. Lightswick, I was window spying or something.

[Judge]

Mr. Lytchwyck, if you're going to raise an objection, it has to be a legal argument objection, not a factual testifying to the jury. Ladies and gentlemen, the jury disregard the defendant's comments about what he said he was intending to do there. The objection is overruled. The answer may stand. The witness was asked to provide his interpretation of what was being shown, and

[Detective Ben Stern]

that is what he did.

[Judge]

Attorney Thompson, next question.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Now pulling up exhibit 73. What is the timestamp on this video?

[Detective Ben Stern]

02472. 47am and 56 seconds.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Picking up where exhibit 72 left off.

[Detective Ben Stern]

Correct.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Now, what direction do we see this individual going? At the end of exhibit number 73.

[Detective Ben Stern]

So the video cuts out. That is the extent of that video does not continue. However, if that individual was to continue walking straight in the direction he was going, it would be very nearby where Mr. Molden I was body was located.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Objection.

[Judge]

What's the objection?

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

He has no proof. He has no idea where I was headed to. Exactly. That direction leads to the driveway.

[Judge]

The objection is noted. It's an objection about interpretation of the witness's testimony.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Thank you.

[Judge]

Objection is overruled. The witness's answer will be allowed to stand. If you have questions on cross examination, you may explore that.

[Narrator/Host]

Then Detective Stern was shown another video clip from that night. This one from 4:13am Exhibit 74.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Is that the next video after exhibit 73 where we see this individual that we've been watching at various times the morning of May 2nd.

[Judge]

All right, what's your objection, Mr. Lytchwick?

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

The detectives. Detective Stern's response, his heightened demeanor, 4:30 in the morning, as though there's something wrong with the time that I was out. There is no. There is no curfew. There is no martial law in this town.

[Judge]

All right, Mr. Lytchwick, I'm going to stop you there. Your objection was to Detective Stern's response to the last question. It's up to the jury to determine the witness's demeanor and credibility based upon his demeanor. That's a matter for the jury. It's not a reason for the detective's statement to get stricken from the record. The rest of your arguments are not relevant to admissibility of the detective's answer. So for those reasons, the answer will stand.

[Narrator/Host]

Detective Stern said when he went to Kevin's apartment the day after Carlos body was found to execute their search warrant. He spoke to Kevin outside the topic, Kevin's interest in German history.

[Detective Ben Stern]

During that time, he shared with us that he likes to attend social meetings at a bar called the Eck Bar, and he explained the German heritage and the German theme of that bar. He talked to us about traveling back and forth to Germany as a child when he was younger. He spoke with several German words during that time and explained to him. And overall, it was a cordial conversation about some. Several different topics, but specifically, his connection and interest in Germany was one of those topics.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

And when you look back at.

[Judge]

What's your objection, I don't see what

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

relevance this has to this homicide investigation.

[Judge]

That objection is overruled. The answer may stand. Next question.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

When you look back on this conversation and consider it in the context of. Of items found during this search warrant in Mr. Leischwick's apartment, did his interest in Germany become very relevant to your investigation?

[Detective Ben Stern]

Yes. When viewed through the context of the German phrases used in the notes that were located in his apartment, in light of the weapon that we heard, you know, fired the rounds that killed Mr. Maldonado, that being a German manufactured firearm, that is where the relevance to me of his interest and his knowledge about Germany history and German culture becomes relevant.

[Narrator/Host]

Detective Stern was also asked if Kevin talked to him about someone that he knew in Minnesota.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Yes.

[Detective Ben Stern]

He spoke about what he described as a former girlfriend, that they had broken up and that she lived in Minnesota.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

And did that conversation then become relevant to one of the operations notes that you located in Mr. Leischwick's apartment?

[Detective Ben Stern]

Yes. One of the individuals that's listed on the operations note was this female that you described living in Minnesota.

[Narrator/Host]

The prosecutor continued asking questions about the documents found in Kevin's apartment, which she said listed out four different operations, the first being Operation Slop Shop, which named Carlos Maldonado. Then Operation Starling, which referenced Operation Slap Shop.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Now, for the second operation of Operation Starling, when we talk about or move down to phase two, is there an individual there named Raven, Tonya Frederick?

[Detective Ben Stern]

Yes.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Okay. Were you able to connect this person to Mr. Leischwick and to the state of Minnesota?

[Detective Ben Stern]

Yes. That individual lives in the state of Minnesota and had a previous romantic relationship with Mr. Leischwick.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

And through the investigation, in terms of digital evidence that we'll talk about later, did you also see this name in those items?

[Detective Ben Stern]

Several times.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Object. What's your objection? He's assuming. He's saying that he saw her name in these documents. That were not created by me. He put them there. I had nothing to do with this.

[Judge]

Mr. Lychewyck, the objection's overruled. Whether or not the documents are tied to you is a matter for the jury to ultimately determine.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

How does the letter start?

[Detective Ben Stern]

Operational? I believe it says service, but I put it in a bracket because I was not entirely sure. So operational service for 2023, 2024. Four main targets centering on attacking. Stay focused on the mission momentum.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

I object. What's your objection? The detective isn't even sure what he's talking about again.

[Judge]

Okay. Ultimately, the jury will decide what these exhibits say. The exhibit 182 has been allowed in as a demonstrative exhibit. The objection's overruled. The witness may continue.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Now,

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

after we talk about staying focused on the mission, does this letter then start discussing Operation Starling?

[Detective Ben Stern]

Yes.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

And what is the first reference in Operation Starling to Operation Slop Shop?

[Detective Ben Stern]

It's located here.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

It says,

[Detective Ben Stern]

need to execute Operation Slop Shop. Need momentum, push money, financing equipment, vehicles, arms, restraints, plastic materials, et cetera.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

In particular, underneath the heading of obstacles to operation, is there or can you read what those three obstacles are again on the original?

[Detective Ben Stern]

That's located right here. Secrecy in entering and movement in and around Minnesota without leaving a footprint. Funds for operation need approximately $12,000. Disposal of rotten meat and staging area.

[Narrator/Host]

At the bottom, there was a paragraph in darker ink.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

What does that paragraph say?

[Detective Ben Stern]

This operation can commence. Since Operation Slop Shop is completed, funds and reparations have been seized from Slop Shop for Starling, and all threats from the first op have been neutralized.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Now, in terms of these letters, they were both found in Mr. Leischwick's apartment. Is that accurate?

[Judge]

That is accurate.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

I object.

[Judge]

What's your objection?

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

They were not found in my apartment. Those are not.

[Judge]

Mr. Lychwick, I'm not going to warn you anymore. You cannot editorialize. You cannot try to introduce testimony or evidence. You state a legal basis for your objection, and I'll rule on that. Your objection is overruled. The testimony will stand. Next question.

[Narrator/Host]

Detective Stern testified that when looking at Kevin's phone, investigators were able to pull up autofill records where Kevin had entered Carlos's name on various websites.

[Detective Ben Stern]

In this case, these were autofill flags that we. That we located in his phone that were used on an unknown website using the Chrome browser.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

And so this does not tell you which website was visited where Carlos Maldonado's name was entered. Is that correct?

[Detective Ben Stern]

That's correct.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Can you see on the right hand side here. A timestamp and a last used date.

[Detective Ben Stern]

Yes.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Yeah. The first

[Detective Ben Stern]

box there. The timestamp is November 14, 2023 with the last name Maldonado.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

And is there also an autofill entry for first name Carlos with a last use date of November 14th of 2023?

[Judge]

Yes.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

When we look at exhibit 146, which is the Operation Slop Shop note, did you see a date range or a reference to November of 2023 on there?

[Detective Ben Stern]

Yes. There's a stamp in the top right corner here. November 26, 2023. So they're very near when the phone was logging this information being used on it.

[Narrator/Host]

He was asked about Kevin's search history that was relevant to the case first.

[Detective Ben Stern]

You'll see on here we flagged. They're very close together in time. So it doesn't necessarily mean repetitive searching that'll show up on a cellbrite report sometimes. But the first one is Waukesha news for October. October 2024. Continue scrolling down. Watch out. Breaking news today. And then the one that really stood out There was on November 24, 2024. Watch on news for November shooting.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Have there been any shootings in November or October of 2024 in the city of Waukesha?

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

I object.

[Judge]

What's your objection?

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

No direct relevance to this case. Could be. I was not searching for that. I was searching for. I heard some gunshots outside of the Salty Toad restaurant in Waukesha.

[Judge]

Mr. Lytwyck, again, I am not going to allow you to editorialize or try to introduce other evidence to the jury. You have an opportunity to state a legal objection, and that is it. Your objection was stated as relevance. The objection is overruled. The witness will be allowed to answer.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Do you need me to re. Ask the question?

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

No.

[Judge]

Based on.

[Detective Ben Stern]

I know I recall the question. I'm a police officer. I'm pretty well tied into what's going on in our community. There was no shootings during that timeframe, notably as of November 24, 2024. The knowledge that this investigation included the fact that the victim was shot was not public.

[Narrator/Host]

There were searches for Glenda Rose, the apartment building manager, as well as another resident who lived in the complex. There were also multiple searches related to Germany. Detective Stern testified about additional items found in the search of Kevin's car, including two boots, a shovel with black duct tape, and black plastic garbage bags, which he said bear a striking resemblance to the duct tape and bags found with Carlos's body. He testified that when they were done searching, Kevin's car. They called Kevin to tell him he could get the car. Kevin asked them to come pick him up and give him a ride. But when they did, Kevin wouldn't get in the car with them, he said. They found out that Kevin had instead decided to rent a new car and got a new cell phone as well, he said. After the lab called and told him the bullets found in Carlos's body matched the gun found in Kevin's trunk, an arrest warrant was issued for him. The prosecutor circled back to when investigators were doing a grid search of the apartment complex the day after Carlos's body was found. Detective Stern said he saw two divots in the ground nearby. This. This was close to where the dog Moxie had hit. Then the prosecutor moved on to Kevin's Google searches.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

This search that we have in front of us on page four of exhibit 214, what is searched for on April 21, 2024?

[Detective Ben Stern]

There is a search for map of landfills in Wisconsin.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Is there a search that happens approximately a half hour after the map of landfill search?

[Detective Ben Stern]

I don't know if it's a search or if it's a viewed site.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

That's right.

[Detective Ben Stern]

Here is the visited so it was not a search, but a visited a website where the article was entitled Carcass Movement Processing and Disposal. It was from the Wisconsin DNR website.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

And April 21st of 20. How many days is that after Mr. Maldonado was murdered?

[Detective Ben Stern]

Approximately seven days.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

And when we consider the date of this search in reference to the trail cam footage from May 2nd of 2024, how many days in between that are there?

[Detective Ben Stern]

Approximately 10 days prior to the videos from May.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Now if we continue scrolling on page five now of exhibit 214. Is this the article that we saw was visited regarding carcass movement?

[Detective Ben Stern]

Yes.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Can you describe for the jury then what information is contained in this article?

[Detective Ben Stern]

Yeah, this article is talking about CWD or I believe it's chronic wasting disease with deer, moose, elk. And then it notes some sites where there are sample and disposal locations. If someone is to suspect that the animal they may have harvested might have cwd.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

I object.

[Judge]

What's your objection?

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

These inferences are unfounded, unproven connections with this case.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

Okay.

[Judge]

As far as it relates to relevance, the court will overrule the objection on relevance grounds. And as for inferences, Mr. Lechwick, it is up to the jury to determine the proper inference to be drawn from the evidence introduced. So the court will allow the testimony to stand.

[Narrator/Host]

Another article Kevin searched suggested throwing away spoiled food in A heavy, opaque or black garbage bag.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Now, February 12th of 2024.

[Detective Ben Stern]

What is this Search latest, Minnesota Missing Persons.

[Narrator/Host]

During cross examination, Kevin entered into evidence a copy of the search warrant officers used to enter his apartment. In his opening statements, the prosecutor had said that Kevin knew it was about Carlos when he never mentioned Carlos's name on page two.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Detective Stern, I believe. Paragraph two, what does it read?

[Detective Ben Stern]

Carlos Maldonado's name is on this document.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

That's correct, isn't it, Detective? Yet you maintain in your official reports even, and led this jury in court to believe that the guilty man would only know the victim's name and that you're inferring that I was guilty of this crime because I blurted out his name, and you're saying it wasn't on there. You were lying, Detective, weren't you?

[Detective Ben Stern]

No, I was not lying.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

But you stated a fact that was not in evidence here. That was not real. That was not in reality.

[Detective Ben Stern]

I did not testify to this during this trial.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

But you did maintain in your official reports that are being used in this trial that that's why you became suspicious of me. No.

[Detective Ben Stern]

Again, the suspicion arose from the May 2 videos. There is an error in my report where I believed that the name was not in there based on the draft that I had written.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Oh, now you're admitting that there was an error, but you don't bother to clarify that before.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Now I'm going to object. First, he didn't even let the witness finish. And second, it's argumentative.

[Judge]

Okay, it is argumentative. I'm going to allow the witness to finish answering the question that you posed. Detective Stern, when I wrote my report,

[Detective Ben Stern]

I did note his use of the name. I believe that based on the draft that I had written, which did not include the name, that that was accurate. His name is on this warrant that was presented to him.

[Narrator/Host]

Kevin then asked him about the search Moxie did and how the dog hit on the boiler room.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

And are you aware that I had no access to the boiler room?

[Detective Ben Stern]

I'm not aware one way or the other if you had access to the boiler room or not.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

You didn't bother to check that out?

[Detective Ben Stern]

Detective, I'm aware that you did not have a key issued to you for the boiler room.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

There was no way I could have gotten into the boiler. I've never been in the boiler room. Was my scent discovered in the boiler room?

[Judge]

Okay, hang on, hang on. The jury will disregard the testimony of the defendant about whether or not he was in the boiler room. You have to ask questions. I Think. You were about to ask a question about whether or not your scent was detected in the boiler room?

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

That's correct, you, Honor.

[Judge]

Okay, ask that question.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Was my scent detected by the cadaver dog in the boiler room?

[Detective Ben Stern]

My understanding of the cadaver. I'm not a K9 handler. Specifically, you'd have to refer back to Ms. Gummman's testimony. The dog does not look for people. Specific people's sense.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

In your opinion, as a detective in this, investigating this matter, the lead detective, did you ever suspect that I had any access to the boiler room?

[Detective Ben Stern]

There were times when we were on the property where the boiler room was left wide open. So in theory, anyone who could get into the garage could get into the boiler room. But I am aware that he was not issued the key when it was supposed to be locked for the boiler room.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Are you aware that the boiler room was almost always locked?

[Detective Ben Stern]

I'm not aware because I will ask.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Mr. You've asked a question.

[Judge]

Let him answer.

[Detective Ben Stern]

I'm not aware because I do not have 247 surveillance on the state of the boiler room if the door is left open or not. We noted when we were there several times throughout this investigation. Sometimes it would be open with no one around.

[Narrator/Host]

Kevin then asked him if he's aware that Nathan Polley, the building's groundskeeper, had access to the boiler room. He said yes.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Are you also aware that Mr. Pawley spent a lot of time habituating the area, the actual area in which the decedent's body was discovered?

[Detective Ben Stern]

No, I'm not aware of that.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

I was told that you knew everything about this case.

[Narrator/Host]

I'm gonna.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Jack, that's not a question.

[Judge]

That is argumentative. That is stricken. The jury is to disregard that. Mr. Leichwick, ask a question.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Did you ever interview any of my neighbors or other witnesses at my building who saw Mr. Poley habituating the area where the decedent's body was recovered?

[Detective Ben Stern]

Yes. I interviewed Mr. Neighbors and witnesses not regarding Mr. Paulley. I would reflect back to Detective Bloom's testimony about Mr. Pawley being eliminated as a suspect in this case.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Detective, was Mr. Polly Nathan Polley of apartment 1 at 1512 East North Street. An initial suspect in this homicide?

[Detective Ben Stern]

Yes, he was investigated as a potential suspect.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

And was he cooperative with you and your department?

[Detective Ben Stern]

Yes, he was.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Your honor, this contradicts Mr. Lytchwick.

[Judge]

Ask another question.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Was Mr. Pawley ever uncooperative during your investigation of this matter?

[Judge]

No.

[Detective Ben Stern]

As Detective Bloom already testified, he provided consent for the search of his apartment. The download of his cell phone, a DNA sample, all sorts of things that helped us continue this investigation.

[Narrator/Host]

Early on, Kevin then questioned him about planting evidence.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Detective, are you and any other police officers that you know involved in the fraudulent creation of case materials against citizens such as myself that you know are innocent?

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

I'm going to object as to relevance, and quite frankly, it's argumentative, too.

[Judge]

Sustained on those grounds. It's argumentative. It's not relevant. Next question, Mr. Lychwick.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Detective, are you at all fearful of being exposed for corrupt conduct in this case?

[Narrator/Host]

I'm going to object.

[Judge]

Same objection, same ruling. Mr. Lytchwick, ask an appropriate question.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

I'm trying to, you, Honor. I really am.

[Judge]

Next question.

[Narrator/Host]

Detective Stern was asked if he knows definitively what was on Kevin's hip in the surveillance video.

[Detective Ben Stern]

No. I still don't know exactly to say definitively what's on his hip in that video.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

But if it pleased the court, you did contest, you did seize those items from me. You have the case. It's in evidence. And you have the green flashlight which was just shown to the. To the jury yesterday?

[Detective Ben Stern]

Yes, there was a green bendy flashlight. It would require me to render my opinion. I don't believe the silhouette in the video displays the very short flashlight. You'd have to compare it for yourselves to make that determination. Ultimately, I don't know what's on his hip in those videos.

[Narrator/Host]

He agreed that he doesn't know for sure what the duct tape found in Kevin's car was used for. Kevin asked him if Carlos's girlfriend was also a suspect in the case. And Detective Stern said that she and her son in law were also investigated as possible suspects, but both were ruled out. When asked if it's possible he missed something along the way, he said, anything is possible. Kevin then went back to the topic of Nathan Pauly.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Are you at all aware of the fact that Mr. Pawley is missing?

[Detective Ben Stern]

No, I don't believe that he's missing.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

You're not aware of that, Detective?

[Detective Ben Stern]

No.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Interesting move to strike that, Mr. Lytrick.

[Judge]

We don't need the editorial comments.

[Narrator/Host]

Detective Stern was the last witness for the state before they rested. Kevin said he would rest, too, without calling any witnesses. In her closing arguments, prosecutor Chelsea Thompson told the jury that they had proven their case and that Carlos Maldonado was killed by Kevin Leichwick.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

When we consider intent, as the court said, you can't look into a person's mind, and that's fine. So what do we have here in front of us? Operation Slop Shop. We have Dates on exhibit number 146. And it says targets identified. It goes back to November of 2023. And interestingly enough, when we look at those autofill sections on Mr. Leischwick's cell phone, that's when you start seeing Mr. Maldonado's name. And those autofills don't just happen. That is the user who has to manually input those names, and then the phone remembers it. Then we have him on exhibit 156. I'm sorry, 146 as the target of the first operation. And the numbering of all four of these operations is very important because when you look at Exhibit 147, which is Operation Starling, it says at the bottom, the operation can commence. Since Operation Slop Shop is completed, funds and reparations have been seized from Slop Shop. So for Starling, and all threats from the first operation have been neutralized. That first operation is Carlos.

[Narrator/Host]

She said all the German references Kevin made when speaking with investigators prove that he wrote the documents found in his house. Since those two reference Germany, we may

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

not know how far away Mr. Leischwick was standing from Mr. Maldonado when he shot him. We may not know which gunshot wound came first. But what we do know is that is the epitome of intent to kill, because that is two times you have to pull that trigger. Two deliberate times. And when we consider the trajectory that Dr. Schiel and Dr. Truesdale talked about when they used that probe, both trajectories of those gunshot wounds were in the right, up and out the left, almost as if they came in quick succession to have such a close trajectory to each other. Regardless, though, that's two times. We also have evidence that these gunshot wounds are front to back. So Mr. Leischwick is standing right in front of Mr. Maldonado. And let's not forget about the fact that Mr. Maldonado was shot in the face. That is deeply personal. That is intent. That is, I am removing this human being from this earth. That is the target.

[Narrator/Host]

She went back to the trail cameras.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Yes. We have that half hour break, but we never see Mr. Leischwick come back with any of his tools or his gear until 4:39am that morning. He goes back and forth. We see him go to the garage, we see him walking back up in that direction. So that's four hours where he's out there and he's not exercising. That just doesn't make any sense compared to what we saw him bringing out there.

[Narrator/Host]

She told the jury that Kevin rented the Space at the storage facility on November 1, within 48 hours of Carlos's body being found, he had rented it.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

According to that receipt, on November 1, gets that free month promotion. And now he's got to empty everything out because that month is. Maybe he's moving it. Maybe he's going to another storage unit. I don't know. But what we know is he emptied it. And then we follow him. And we saw him on the surveillance emptying it. So we follow him back to Waukesha. Officers stop the car. They seize the car. There's nobody else in the car with him. And what do we find after we get a warrant to search his car? The murder weapon. Inside that trunk, we find the shovel. In the back passenger seat, we have boots. We have numerous boxes of 9 millimeter ammunition. So for Mr. Leischwick to say, I've never seen that gun before. I don't know what it is. I don't know how it got there. You certainly have a lot of ammunition for a 9 millimeter. So then we also find all these garbage bags. We start putting all of these pieces together here.

[Narrator/Host]

She said all the evidence is right in front of them. And she asked them to find Kevin guilty. In his closing arguments, Kevin reiterated that he is not guilty and had no reason to want to kill Carlos.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I implore you again, if you have any doubts as to my guilt, please find me innocent. I have a life out there. I am a good man. I am a God fearing Christian. I just want to go home. I want to resume my life. And when I go home, the Waukesha Police Department and anyone assisting them will be able to continue searching for the actual killer or killers of the poor victim. In this matter, as long as I am in custody, they have stopped looking for who actually killed this man. Imagine that whoever did this is still on the street. I implore you to please send me home. Find me not guilty in this matter. Because I am not guilty in this matter, and owing to the corruptibility of people in human nature, I am telling you, there is a corrupt element within our local Waukesha Police Department. And if you find me innocent, perhaps there will be some house cleaning and they can take care of it. Somebody will investigate this matter, and we will all be a little safer. I thank you for your time in coming here again and again. My final statement to you is, if you have any doubts in this matter, if you have any doubts about my guilt, please find me not guilty.

[Narrator/Host]

The jury took less than one hour in their deliberations they found Kevin Lichwick guilty. Kevin is due to be sentenced in August 2026. He faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison. And that's all for this episode. Thanks again for listening. Listening. Until next time.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Hello and welcome to plutofo.

[Detective Ben Stern]

If you know the name of the movie you'd like to see, just stream

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

it for free on Pluto tv where

[Detective Ben Stern]

all your blockbuster favorites are landing all summer long.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

Catch.

[Detective Ben Stern]

Anchorman. The Legend of Ron Burgundy.

[Prosecutor Dan Tombasco]

Fantastic.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

The Matrix Trilogy.

[Detective Ben Stern]

Welcome to the real world. Mean Girls.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Shut up.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

Titanic. I'm the King of the World.

[Detective Ben Stern]

And so much more. For showtimes, press nothing.

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

They're free 24.

[Detective Ben Stern]

7.

[Narrator/Host]

That is so fast on Pluto TV.

[Detective Ben Stern]

Stream now.

[Prosecutor Chelsea Thompson]

Pay never.

[Narrator/Host]

Hi, I'm Jesse Pray. And I'm Andy Cassette welcome to Love Murder, where we unravel the darkest tales of romance turned deadly. Our episodes are long form, narrative driven and deep. Deeply researched. Perfect for the true crime aficionados seeking stories beyond the headlines like the chilling case of Blanche Taylor Moore, the so called black widow who left a trail of poisoned lovers. Or the shocking murders of Chad Shelton and Dwayne Johnson where family ties masked a sinister plot. Subscribe to Love Murder on Apple, podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

[Judge]

Ever notice how life's best stories don't happen in your living room?

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

They happen on the open road, out on the water or parked under the stars. At Progressive, they get that you want to focus on the experience, not worry about the what ifs. That's why they offer quality insurance designed

[Judge]

for your ride, whether That's a boat,

[Defendant Kevin Lytchwick]

RV or motorcycle adventure with confidence. Visit progressive.com and see how easy it is to protect your favorite way to get away. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates not available in D.C. prices vary based on how you buy.