MERRILL, Wis. — A 17-year-old defendant has entered a not guilty plea in connection with the death of a counselor at a Wisconsin youth detention facility over the summer. The charges against Ryan Nyblom include two felonies: participation in felony murder and participation in battery by prisoners.
Nyblom’s plea was submitted on Thursday regarding the incident involving Cory Proulx, a counselor at Lincoln Hills-Copper Lake Schools, who died in June. Court records reveal that the incident began when another inmate, aged 16, became enraged with a female counselor he believed was misusing her authority. This inmate allegedly threw soap at her, punched her, and subsequently struck Proulx, causing him to fall and suffer a fatal head injury.
Prosecutors assert that Nyblom provided the 16-year-old with the soap used in the attack and that he was aware of the teenager’s anger toward the counselor and his intent to harm her, as detailed in a criminal complaint.
Nyblom’s legal representative, Joseph L. Bauer, has not yet commented on the case following attempts to reach him for feedback.
The 16-year-old involved in the case is facing serious charges, including first-degree reckless homicide and two counts of battery by prisoners. Although he is being treated as an adult in the legal system, his name has not been disclosed since it is possible his legal team may seek to have the case moved to juvenile court, where proceedings are confidential.
