FOND DU LAC, WI (WHBL/KFIZ) - The 46-year-old Ripon man suspected of hiding his brother’s corpse in a barrel has pled “no contest” to a charge stemming from his brother’s death.
Robert Diamentis was in Fond du Lac County Court for a plea hearing Thursday morning. He entered a plea to a charge of negligently subjecting an individual at risk to abuse-causing death. Three other charges were read into the record and dismissed.
District Attorney Eric Toney says it was an unusual case, pointing to the fact someone wouldn’t expect a defendant to do what was alleged in the criminal complaint.
According to the criminal complaint Richard Diamentis’s body was hidden in a 50 gallon barrel at a residence on Olden Road. It was discovered after Town of Ripon Police asked Sheriff’s deputies for help on a welfare check.
Richard suffered from a medical condition that affected mobility and coordination and died last February 24th. Robert Diamentis told investigators he didn’t report the death fearing people would accuse him of mistreating Richard.
Toney says Diamentis could get up to 15 years in prison and 10 years of extended supervision for the Class D felony he pled to.