By Associated Press
Rhinelander, WI – A 19-year-old Rhinelander woman has been convicted for her role in helping plot a robbery that led to the stabbing death of a woman at her Tomahawk home in a dispute over a computer. Heather Ward pleaded no contest Tuesday to Being a Party to Felony Murder and Armed Robbery in the 2007 slaying of Tracy Maurer, 42. Ward is to be sentenced June 26.
Prosecutors say Ward and Katie Decker, 18, helped Seth Louis, 26, of Rhinelander plan the robbery of Maurer and carry it out. Louis was sentenced to life in prison in January for First-Degree Intentional Homicide. Louis worked with Maurer at a fast-food restaurant, and prosecutors have said he killed her over payment for a computer he sold her.
Decker returns to court Friday for a motion hearing.