A Wisconsin man confesses to the cold-blooded murder of a newlywed couple for a paltry sum

In a heart-wrenching incident that has left the community of Elkhorn, Wisconsin, in disbelief, a local man has admitted to the brutal murder of a newlywed couple in a local sports bar, all over a sum less than £120. The shocking event occurred on the 1st of February at the Sports Page Barr, a well-known establishment in the heart of downtown Elkhorn, claiming the lives of Gina Weingart, 37, and Emerson Weingart, 33.

Thomas Routt Jr., 57, has been charged with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide following the tragic incident. According to Elkhorn Police Department, eyewitness accounts played a crucial role in the early stages of the investigation. One patron present during the horrifying events recounted how Routt entered the bar, engaged with the gaming machine before revealing a handgun and menacingly aiming it at Gina, who was tending the bar.

The situation escalated rapidly when Routt fired at Gina, prompting a bystander to flee and alert the authorities by calling 911. The swift response from the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office led to Routt’s arrest in the early hours of 4 February, while he was on parole for a previous arson conviction.

In a shocking admission, Routt confessed to the deliberate killing of the Weingarts and even attempting to shoot a witness as they made their escape. His appalling actions didn’t stop there; he also admitted to disposing of the murder weapon and ammunition in a trash receptacle at a local convenience store.

The investigation revealed that Routt’s motive was robbery, with the assailant making off with a sum between $120 and $140 from the bar’s cash drawer. His appearance in court on 16 February saw Walworth County District Attorney Zeke Wiedenfeld starkly highlighting the gravity of Routt’s actions, which resulted in two lives lost and an attempt on a third.

As Routt prepares for his next court appearance on 21 February, his attorney, Russell Jones, has indicated a plea of not guilty, citing the anticipation of further evidence, including possible surveillance footage.

This tragic event underscores the devastating impact of gun violence and crime, leaving a community to mourn the senseless loss of a couple just beginning their lives together.