A Wisconsin woman has pleaded not guilty to murder after “poisoning her friend with eye drops before stealing $300,000 from her.”
Jessy Kurczewski is accused of killing her friend Lynn Hernan, 62, in 2018 by using eye drops to poison her before allegedly staging the scene to look like a suicide.
After police performed an autopsy on Hernan, they discovered a fatal dose of tetrahydrozoline in her system, the main ingredient in eye drops.
As investigators investigated Hernan’s death, Kurczewski admitted to bringing her a water bottle containing six bottles of Visine brand eye drops, which she drank.
According to Kurczewski, she claimed that she had tried to help Herman and that this was what she wanted.
After Hernan’s death, investigators claim they discovered that Kurczewski had committed nearly $300,000 in fraud, including a $130,204 check that was “fraudulently” transferred from the victim to her.
Jessy Kurczewski is seen here wiping away tears after the murder trial got underway earlier this week
Kurczewski is accused of killing Lynn Hernanby using eye drops to poison her before staging the scene, seen here, to look like a suicide
The murder trial into Hernan’s death began Monday in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, and opening statements were heard.
After police performed an autopsy on Hernan, pictured here, they discovered a fatal dose of tetrahydrozoline, the main ingredient in eye drops, in her system.
According to TMJ4said Assistant District Attorney Randy Sitzberger, “There is certainly a factual, bare-bones timeline of robbery, murder and more robbery.
“But there is an almost overlapping timeline of all of the defendant’s lies and deceit.
“She ultimately gave that water bottle, knowing that it contained, in the defendant’s opinion, six bottles of Visine, to Lynn Hernan, knowing that it could kill her, and walks out of the apartment, closes the door and goes shopping at Lynn’s dime. ‘
WISN also reported that Sitzberger added, “She didn’t worry about Lynn all day.
“She opened a JC Penney account in Lynn’s name, and she used Lynn’s other accounts to go shopping and do some online shopping, knowing she had just given Lynn poison.”
Kurczewski’s defense team argued that Hernan was like a mother to the suspect, with defense attorney Pablo Galaviz saying, “If Lynn Hernan was there today, she would say, ‘Are you crazy, prosecutor?’
Kurczewski’s defense team argued that Hernan, pictured left, was like a mother to Kurczewski, right, and said the accusations would have driven Hernan ‘crazy’
Jessy Kurczewski appears in court during her trial at the Waukesha County Courthouse, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, in Waukesha
He added, “That’s my daughter sitting there at that desk. That’s my daughter.’
Galaviz told the court that Hernan knew Kurczewski was spending her money and that she was depressed and abusing alcohol and prescription drugs.
He also said Hernan wanted to die and “didn’t like it,” adding, “She had a boatload of prescription drugs in her system.”
“And they say the Visine killed her? Not the other pills she had in her system besides the alcohol?’
WISN also reported that Galaviz told the court, “She just loved her vodka.” She also loves Visine. I have no idea why.’
The court also heard from Tabitha Kukes, a former Waukesha County medical examiner, who declared Hernan dead in October 2018.
Assistant District Attorney Randy Sitzberger makes an opening statement during the trial of Jessy Kurczewski at the Waukesha County Courthouse, Tuesday, October 24, 2023
After police performed an autopsy on Hernan, they discovered a fatal dose of tetrahydrozoline, the main ingredient in eye drops, in her system. The over-the-counter brand Visine is seen here
She told the court: ‘The only thing that really matters is what the toxicology shows. All that really matters is what is in the deceased’s bloodstream at the time of death, not necessarily what is (on site).
Kurczewski told investigators she was acting as power of attorney and that Hernan had no immediate family, but a cousin told authorities it was suspicious that she left her entire estate to Kurczewski.
Investigators had initially thought it could be a drug overdose, with Kurczewski saying she told investigators she had been caring for Hernan, who was “acting strangely.”
More witnesses are expected to be called tomorrow as the trial continues.