Minister recovering from slashing
Photo 
Martin Nelson
A Whitewater minister said Monday he is recuperating after a "troubled" La Grange man to whom he gave a home and guidance allegedly slashed his throat Thursday.
The Rev. Michael L. Obinger, 60, underwent surgery Thursday at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital in Wauwatosa. He is back at his La Grange Township home and told the Gazette he is doing fine.
"I didn't have any pain after the surgery, and everything seems to be OK," he said.
Obinger was the victim of what Walworth County sheriff's officials are calling an attempted homicide at the home he shared with Martin J. Nelson, 22, at W6577 Kettle Moraine Drive, southeast of Whitewater.
According to the criminal complaint, Obinger said he woke up and found blood on himself from a cut from the left side of his chin down toward his shoulder. Obinger said he looked up and saw Nelson standing over him with a knife, according to the complaint.
Nelson left the home on foot and was captured at a home in Whitewater late Friday morning.
Obinger was treated at Aurora Lakeland Medical Center in Elkhorn and transported with critical injuries to Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital in Wauwatosa.
Obinger said he is a minister at a Whitewater church and he was providing a home and guidance to Nelson.
"He's a kid who's had a terrible past who contacted me about five months ago—because I'm a pastor, because he was looking for some help—that I've tried to give some stability to over the last five months," he said.
Obinger said this was not a domestic violence case, and he is not related to Nelson.
"I don't know why it happened," he added.
In court Monday, Nelson had his bond set at $50,000 cash on the attempted homicide charge. He is to have no contact with Obinger and cannot consume alcohol or possess weapons.
Nelson was charged Friday with two counts of felony bail jumping for allegedly committing a crime and consuming alcohol. Both violate conditions of his bond in a previous case.
The bail-jumping charges stem from a mid-June incident in which Nelson was charged with second-degree recklessly endangering safety, aggravated battery and disorderly conduct. In that case, Nelson is accused of trying to stab his then-boyfriend, Scott A. Hayes Jr., with a 15-inch dagger at their residence.
He fled the scene but later was stopped by police, according to the criminal complaint. He also was charged with second-offense drunken driving and operating after revocation.
Court records show that Obinger co-signed a cash bond for Nelson at that time. Online court records also indicate Nelson moved in with Obinger in late June, when he changed his address from a home in Whitewater to the La Grange Township residence.
Nelson is due in court again today to have a preliminary hearing scheduled.
Aug 28, 2009 at 1:58 a.m.
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proartist: I wish there were a way for me to have you speak with recovery home residents who have made it. It might change your perspective at least a little bit.
Aug 27, 2009 at 3:44 p.m.
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SarahB1: Placing group homes that are unsupervised in residential neighborhoods and being able to evade U.S., as well as, State of Wisconsin licensing and other safe housing laws that I or any other secular entity would have to follow is also VERY offensive. To be completely honest, you need to admit the history of such group homes in Janesville proves they're not just potentially dangerous to neighbors but have been LITERALLY FATAL to at least one overdose victim and other residents who came dangerously close in recent years. Are THOSE the same people you claim I insult? Those who truly need and seek qualified help SHOULD be insulted...but by the naive and inexperienced people who think they're qualified for such consequential work in the first place.
Aug 27, 2009 at 1:48 a.m.
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proartist: Your comment is offensive to all those who are in recovery from addictions and/or mental health issues. The majority of those living in the housing you refer to are in recovery and doing everything possible to remain so. Yes, some fail in their efforts, but that does not mean they are a risk to you or your neighborhood. Please don't add to the stigma that these people already face.
Aug 26, 2009 at 5:05 p.m.
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rockstars- so that is your point? lol..Whatever- I am not speaking of you..
Aug 26, 2009 at 4:15 p.m.
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I wonder if readers realize how many residential-neighborhood homes with "adult men with alcohol/chemical addictions and men with ‘dual-diagnosis’ non-violent mental health conditions" are among us in Janesville church-sponsored, UNSUPERVISED, and unlicensed "facilities". How many are within a block or two from schools, daycares, and other similar group homes? Just because religious organizations and volunteers truly want to "do good" doesn't mean they have the knowledge, experience, training, or other qualifications to provide the type of help truly needed by this population and as clearly exemplified by this horrific incident.
Aug 26, 2009 at 2:47 p.m.
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mickie: It's sexual ORIENTATION. Not "preference". No one chooses to be gay. I certainly didn't.
Aug 26, 2009 at 12:28 p.m.
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"Providing guidance," eh? Is that what these old folks are calling it nowadays?
Aug 26, 2009 at 7:27 a.m.
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He tried to murder someone--childhood background, sexual preference, age, etc.. Doesnt matter...Whatever pushed him within himself to do this is no longer something that can be helped. The crime has been done- now do the time.
Aug 26, 2009 at 12:03 a.m.
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He's homicidal. Two strikes. Lock him up. Too easy.
Aug 25, 2009 at 11:24 p.m.
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gmaof3: I am {somewhat} pleasantly surprised by your comment; usually you immediately and completely condemn those with substance use problems. This young man obviously needs help ... before he makes somebody (or himself) a dead man. I wish the minister a speedy recovery.
Aug 25, 2009 at 9:46 p.m.
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Why is everyone jumping to conclusion of this disturbed child and a relationship? The pastor stated he was providing a place to a child that needed it AND guidance. Just because the boy is gay, doesn't mean anything.
Aug 25, 2009 at 8:13 p.m.
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Oh boy, this has bad bad bad written all over it. This boy needs to be put somewhere until he is healed. His mind is obviously in some serious need of medical attention. And this is only a hunch, but I am guessing most of this anger is coming from his homosexuality. Poor thing, it is so sad to see these young people's lives ruined because society doesn't except them. :(
Aug 25, 2009 at 7:47 p.m.
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Nothing strange about it...we're talking about the Gazette here.
Aug 25, 2009 at 7:39 p.m.
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wesgonsin-I was thinking the same thing. Very strange.
Aug 25, 2009 at 7:38 p.m.
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I'm with wesgonsin -- was it necessary to reveal the first victim's name and alleged relationship with the accused?
Aug 25, 2009 at 6:52 p.m.
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I just think it's a bit odd that a 60 year old minister would move a 22 year old man in with him.
Pedro Oliveira Jr. worded this story in such a way as to make me wonder if there's a lot more to this case than meets the eye.
Did Pedro take the time to contact Scott Hays to find out if he minded having his name associated in print with regards to this incident?
Aug 25, 2009 at 6:26 p.m.
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Well, I do...
.
He is headed for a dead end, at the rate he's going. At only 22 years old, "Nelson is accused of trying to stab his then-boyfriend". I honestly think he may not be able to get out of this.
.
I feel sorry for him on one hand, to have had such a screwed up childhood to fall into this mess. Then, I consider there are so many kids from backgrounds which suck... that actually make it.
Hopefully, he finds someone who can set him straight. That said, if not... lock his loser butt up. If he doesn't at least lose the anger, he doesn't DESERVE his freedom. MY opinion...
Its called accountability folks....
Aug 25, 2009 at 6:12 p.m.
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You've turned the comments back on for this running series, but I have no comment.
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