Jul 9, 2008 - Madison, WI
The Wisconsin Supreme Court in a 5-2 decision reinstated criminal charges against three men who dug up a corpse planning to have sex, stating that they could be charged even
if the victim is deceased. Lower courts had dismissed attempted third-degree sexual assault charges saying state law does not criminalize necrophilia.
Nicholas Grunke saw an obituary photo of a young woman recently killed and asked his brother, Alex, and friend, Dustin Radke, to help dig up the body. The three used shovels
to reach the grave but were unable to pry the concrete vault open, then fled after a car drove into the cemetery. Police found a van near the scene containing shovels, a
wrecking bar, tarp, and a box of condoms.
According to Dustin Radke, over the years, Grunke expressed an interest in necrophilia. "He always said he wanted to have sex with a body, and we all kind of made fun of him for it"
The assistant public defender who represented Radke said he agreed with the dissent of two of the Justices and the majority opinion was "dead wrong".
Alexander Caleb Grunke (22)
Grant County Case 06CF140A, 2 years probation
Found guilty by a jury on all counts; Attempt 3rd Degree Sexual Assault, Attempt Theft-Movable Property <=$2500, Attempt Criminal Damage to Cemetery/Mortuary
Nicholas Owen Grunke (22)
Grant County Case, 06CF140B, 2 years
Found guilty by a jury on all counts; Attempt 3rd Degree Sexual Assault, Attempt Theft-Movable Property <=$2500, Attempt Criminal Damage to Cemetery/Mortuary.
Prohibited from going to any cemetery without DOC approval
Grunke told the jury that he watched the movie "I'll Bury You Tomorrow" and described the actions of the movie's main character, a mortician, who takes the body of a man back
to her room where she dances with him and sits with him. His defense attorney argued that Grunke only wanted to talk to the dead woman's body
Dustin Blake Radke (21)
Grant County Case 06CF140C, 1 year
Found guilty of Attempt 3rd Degree Sexual Assault.
He testified he took part in the grave-robbing scheme because he was offered $500
