Man sentenced to life in prison for manslaughter at Taylor County psychiatric facility

GILMAN, Wis. (WSAW) – A 38-year-old man accused of strangling and killing his roommate at a mental health facility has been sentenced to life in prison.

According to court records, Cory Carlson pleaded guilty Thursday in Taylor County Court to first-degree murder in the death of 61-year-old Joseph Bonney. The remaining charges against him were dropped as part of a plea agreement.

The judge sentenced Carlson to life in prison. He will be eligible for parole in 2054.

On January 14, investigators responded to Almost Home Again in Gilman after Bonney was found unconscious and unresponsive.

Authorities initially suspected that Bonney had been strangled. Spots on his body, known as petechiae, indicate asphyxiation. Investigators also found bruises on his neck, as well as abrasions and some blood on the bedclothes.

During an interview with investigators quoted in court documents, Carlson said he heard voices and could not remember what happened.

According to court documents, Carlson and Bonney were roommates at the facility. Investigators said the scene was staged to make it look like Bonney died in his sleep while eating licorice. Autopsy reports showed no licorice was found in his stomach.

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