Former Janesville woman stands trial on attempted homicide charge
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Nickole E. Pergande
JANESVILLE — In the trial of a former Janesville woman charged with attempted homicide, jurors must decide whether she sliced her husband’s neck to murder him or whether he possibly attempted suicide to frame her.
Prosecutors claim Nickole E. Pergande, 35, of 14124 Lang Road, Orfordville, was confronted by her husband for stealing, threatened with police action and told her marriage was over before she tried to kill him.
The defense attorney claims Pergande’s husband, Jaymie, had lost his job, taken several prescription drugs and threatened suicide hours before he was cut.
In a classic case of he said/she said, the Pergandes are pointing the finger at each other, and jurors will have to decide who is telling the truth. The couple has since divorced.
Nickole’s trial started Monday in Rock County Court, and attorneys on both sides made their opening arguments.
Prosecutor Gwanny Tjoa said Nickole took about $4,000 from her husband’s bank account while he was on a hunting trip. Tjoa said the two were legally separated, and they weren’t allowed to transfer any of their assets.
Nickole also stole guns and other items out of her husband’s gun safe, Tjoa said.
Jaymie confronted Nickole, but she initially denied it, he said.
When she later admitted it, Jaymie told her he was going to call police, Tjoa said. He told his wife he wanted a divorce and planned to move out the next day.
The following morning, Jaymie was in the shower when his wife walked into the bathroom and sliced his neck, Tjoa said.
Jaymie called 911, saying his wife cut him, Tjoa said. Jaymie then waited for emergency responders.
Jaymie later told investigators and others that his wife cut him, Tjoa said. He recovered after emergency surgery.
Defense attorney Tod Daniel said there’s no physical evidence to convict Nickole. He said Nickole tried to save Jaymie’s life.
During police questioning, Nickole consistently denied having anything to do with Jaymie’s injury, Daniel said.
She also agreed to take a lie detector’s test, which was never done, he said.
Jaymie was on three prescription drugs, including Vicodin and OxyContin, Daniel said. He had lost his job and his marriage was nearly over.
Hours earlier, Jaymie had threatened his wife with suicide and claimed he would kill himself in front of the kids, Daniel said.
Nickole remains free on a $10,000 bond. If convicted, she faces a maximum of 60 years in prison.
Her trial is expected to last four days.
Feb 11, 2010 at 11:26 a.m.
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I've known Nikki and her entire family for over thirty years. There is absolutely no way she is guilty of this crime. I believe the truth will come out in the appeal and she will be exonerated.
As for these ridiculous comment areas on newspaper websites: I can't believe people spend time posting incoherent and mean-spirited anonymous ramblings. Don't we all have something better to do than offer asinine remarks about people and situations that (for most people) have nothing to do with our own lives?
Dec 18, 2009 at 9:51 a.m.
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If you are going by the The Janesville Gazette story alone - the writers don't do well at reporting details, facts, and follow ups to previous writings - in fact they just copy and past from previous stories. The facts are given in the court room. If any of you attend any court cases - then maybe you have a right to speak out and have an opinion about the case and the people involved. Until then - move on!
Dec 17, 2009 at 5:35 p.m.
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Well this will end this topic
http://www.gazettextra.com/news/2009/dec...
Dec 17, 2009 at 5:09 a.m.
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They both sound like losers.
Dec 17, 2009 at 4:24 a.m.
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what bunch of lies and all over a bunch of gun maybe a mental health assesment should be done prior to the purchase of a firearm.
By the way does a 8" kitchlen knife supposedhly used to cut his throat not get found by the JPD 6 hour investigation? What wonderfull bunch of detectives, I feel safer all ready
Dec 16, 2009 at 10:12 p.m.
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Just received a phone call. Sentencing in February. Nickole was found guilty from what I have been told. My prayers continue for the entire families!
Dec 16, 2009 at 9:24 p.m.
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From what I've been told, waiting on jury's decision at this point. Even though it's been said that Jayme called 911, no where does it say he spoke to anyone. A person can be rasping, trying to summon help. Let's also not forget about her saying she was downstairs in his basement when it happened. Then that story changed. I completely agree that I would not want to be on this jury. These families have both been through enough.
Dec 16, 2009 at 7:03 p.m.
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reading comprehension is such a lost skill...."Nickole’s trial started Monday in Rock County Court, and attorneys on both sides made their opening arguments."
Dec 16, 2009 at 6:59 p.m.
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what other old articles can the paper run on a slow news day? This isn't NEWs. Doesn't the trial start in a few weeks?
This just in, from Jan 2009, something happened and the legal system allows a jury of her peers to decide her fate in a few weeks.
great article, I can't wait for tomorrows rerun article on the citys swimming pools.
Dec 16, 2009 at 2:06 p.m.
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who did she write the checks to?
Dec 16, 2009 at 1:50 p.m.
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http://www.gazettextra.com/news/2009/jan...
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http://www.gazettextra.com/news/2009/jan...
Dec 16, 2009 at 12:50 p.m.
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Are you surprized they're divorced now?
I remember before they said he couldn't speak. So how did he call 911. I thought she called? I remember from the story in paper before there we so many holes in the story that didn't make sence.
Who said that he threatened suicide? HER??
Ihavealife- it could be possible in some showers to make contact with the guy w/o getting wet. I think anyway.
I agree wouldn't the angle of the injury, no matter if "stabbed" or "sliced", tell who could have done it.
Dec 16, 2009 at 12:31 p.m.
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justsonotomath,
Relax,I know lying doesn't equal attempted murder and no where did I say or suggest that I'm taking his word over hers. All I said was that she has admitted lying about the guns and the money and that won't help her credibility.
I have no clue what actually happened and I'm glad that I don't have to serve on a jury that has to figure it out.
Dec 16, 2009 at 12:02 p.m.
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krsmith01: Sliced, stabbed, that wasn't my point. In all my years I've never read a suicide story where someone "sliced," or stabbed for that matter, their own throat. That's not to say it can't happen, but it sounds more like a murder attempt than a suicide attempt. Why did he call the police? If I walked in on my wife bleeding from the neck, future x or not, I couldn't get to the phone fast enough. He shouldn't have been the one making the 911 call.
Dec 16, 2009 at 11:43 a.m.
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justsaynotomath, do you know what your talking about at all. were did you get all your information from, a crackerjack box?
Dec 16, 2009 at 11:11 a.m.
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Unidentified - his neck was "sliced" not stabbed...big difference. I agree that it would be strange for someone to "stab" themselves (especially in the throat) but I don't think it's unusual for someone to slice thier throat in an attempt to commit suicide. . . .a bit feable. . but not unusual.
Dec 16, 2009 at 11:06 a.m.
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justsaynotomath must have said no to math!
Dec 16, 2009 at 10:52 a.m.
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Divorce will cause one of them to cut their losses and move on. I wonder who it will be.....
Dec 16, 2009 at 10:39 a.m.
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I'd love to know how many suicide cases involve someone stabbing themselves in the neck. My guess is few. That part seems like a story conjured up by a defense attorney.
Dec 16, 2009 at 9:57 a.m.
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care to provide a link to the source that tells you that females account for less than 1% of violent crimes? because according to the US Dept of Justice, 12% of all homicides are committed by a female offender.
Dec 16, 2009 at 9:02 a.m.
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CSI would have been able to know who used the knife. But still you'd think, by angle of the injury, you'd be able to see if it was self inflicted or done from outside a shower! You'd think. But I am no pro.
Dec 16, 2009 at 8:55 a.m.
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If it's true he threatened suicide earlier and was taking that mix of medication, he very well could of hurt himself (allegedly). This is a tough one!
Dec 16, 2009 at 8:34 a.m.
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With that mix of meds he was on it could be he doesn't remember totally what happened! I feel bad for the familys.
Dec 16, 2009 at 8:21 a.m.
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This situation stinks from every angle...
Dec 16, 2009 at 8:21 a.m.
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So they were 'legally seperated' and neither was supposed to be allowed to access the others bank accounts and all that but they were still living together?
Dec 16, 2009 at 7:19 a.m.
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you all have no clue....
Dec 15, 2009 at 9:44 p.m.
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justsaynotomath....
What are you basing your statement on? Just curious.
Dec 15, 2009 at 8:04 p.m.
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She's already admitted lying about the money and guns. That would seem to cast doubt on her credibility. But she's innocent until proven guilty and that's the job of the prosecutor.
Dec 15, 2009 at 5:35 p.m.
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Her attorney said there is no physical evidence, he didn't say there was no evidence. I think the prosecutions case is based on Mr. Pergande's throat being cut and saying that she did it.
Dec 15, 2009 at 5:03 p.m.
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Wow, I'd hate to be on the jury having to make that decision. Prayers for truth and a correct judgement.
Dec 15, 2009 at 4:44 p.m.
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Hang in their nicki,the truth will come out. Your friend & supporter all your life.
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