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Sharon standoff suspect back in court

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Eugene J. Lehman

ELKHORN — A Sharon man involved in a 13-hour standoff with police Jan. 17 appeared in court Tuesday after spending several days in a Janesville hospital.

Eugene J. Lehman, 45, was hospitalized after shooting himself in the abdomen near the end of a daylong standoff with police. He was moved to the Walworth County Jail on Friday.

Deputy District Attorney Joshua Grube on Tuesday requested Lehman's bond be increased to $100,000 cash from $10,000 cash.

Grube said his request is based on the seriousness of the incident. The prosecutor would not comment on possible charges, but he said a criminal complaint likely would be filed by Thursday, Feb. 4.

Jail officials said Lehman is being held on accusations of felony possession of a firearm, endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon, battery and failure to comply with officer's attempt to take him into custody.

Sheriff David Graves said police responded to Lehman’s house off Highway 67 in Sharon minutes before noon Jan. 17.

Lehman had burned some of his wife’s clothes and fired several shots the night of Jan. 16 after a domestic dispute. His family didn’t feel safe leaving the home that night, but they left the next morning and called police, Graves said.

Authorities were told Lehman was heavily armed, and he fired several shots at police throughout the day, the sheriff said.

Armored vehicles and dozens of law enforcement from at least three counties and multiple police agencies helped secure the area.

People living in two homes were evacuated. No injuries were reported.

Graves said Lehman has a criminal history in Illinois but none in Wisconsin.

Lehman’s family indicated Lehman has no recorded mental health issues, Graves said.