Joseph WielzenThe suspect in the 2017 rape and slaying of an 18-year-old Etowah woman faces a court hearing Monday in the wake of vandalism charges he and another man netted for egging cars and a house in early May while he was free on bond.
Joseph R. Wielzen, 17 at the time of the rape and killing of Kelsey N. Burnette in July 2017, was free on bond in that case earlier this month when he and Victor L. Felix were booked on four counts of vandalism, according to court documents.
Kelsey N. BurnetteWielzen and Felix were arrested after they were identified as occupants of a dark Jeep Cherokee from which eggs were hurled at a couple of residents' cars and a house. Police found the Jeep with egg yolk running down the window, court records state.
After the recent charges, Wielzen now faces a bond revocation hearing Monday afternoon before Criminal Court Judge Sandra Donaghy, according to officials in McMinn County Circuit Court. The case has not yet been presented to the grand jury. His bond could be revoked, possibly putting him behind bars until his case goes to court.
Wielzen was released on the reduced bond in September 2018 after his case was transferred to adult court. He was not required to wear an ankle monitor, but he was ordered to not use or possess illegal intoxicants, commit any new criminal offenses or have contact with Burnette's family, court records show.
Wielzen's vandalism arrest, while a misdemeanor, potentially violates conditions of the order issued in March. The homicide case is now nearing two years old.
Burnette, who graduated from McMinn Central High School a couple of months before her death and worked at the local McDonald's restaurant, was reported missing by her family on July 1, 2017.
She was last seen walking through Etowah around 5 a.m. that day. Her body was found by a passerby on Charles Street on July 4, 2017.
Sissy Burnette, the victim's mother, said after Wielzen's recent arrest that prosecutors had discussed his court orders and bond status, and she was anticipating the hearing now set for Monday.
Contact staff writer Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569. Follow him on Twitter @BenBenton or at www.facebook.com/benbenton1.