Finding Normal

http://www.winonadailynews.com/articles/2009/02/06/news/02zubick.txt

Suspect to challenge murder charge in overdose case

One of the men charged with third-degree murder in the methadone overdose death of a Winona woman plans to challenge the legitimacy of those charges, his attorney said Thursday.

Douglas Bruce Zubick, 47, made his second appearance in court on charges of unintentional murder and manslaughter. He also appeared on five unrelated charges that accuse him of selling the prescription drug clonazepam to police informants in June, July and November.
His attorney, Richard Kimlinger, asked for an evidentiary hearing, at which he said he’ll challenge police probable cause and try to get the murder charge thrown out.

Kimlinger also presented a motion to reduce Zubick’s $200,000 bail but decided to reserve the motion for a later date. Zubick remains in custody at the Winona County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.

Police say Zubick gave $100 to Jeffrey Lee Frey, 47, from a monthly social security check to buy methadone from Harold Albert Skroch Jr., 44. Frey bought the drugs and delivered them to Zubick, who arranged for Jane Jay Christensen, 45, to clean his house in exchange for a portion of the liquid methadone, police said.

Christensen cleaned Zubick’s house Feb. 1, 2008, took about 100 milligrams of the drug and was found unresponsive in her home just before 6 p.m., according to reports. She was pronounced dead at the hospital less than an hour later.

Frey was charged with four counts of unintentional murder and manslaughter and has been released from jail on $100,000 bail. He is scheduled to return to court Feb. 26.

Skroch has been charged with aiding and abetting unintentional murder. He was released from jail Jan. 23 on $200,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court April 9.

Zubick is scheduled to return to court Feb. 19.