Man accused of killing brother arrives in Madison
Prisoner extradited from Wash. to face charges in Wis.
MADISON, Wis. — A prisoner in Washington state was returned to Wisconsin to face charges that he tortured and killed his disabled half-brother.
The Dane County Sheriff’s Office said Saturday that Jeffrey Vogelsberg was extradited from Pierce County, Wash., and booked into the Dane County Jail late Friday.
The 27-year-old was arrested in Lewis, Wash., last month. He tried to fight efforts to extradite him to Wisconsin, but Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire complied after Gov. Scott Walker requested Vogelsberg’s return.
Vogelsberg is charged with first-degree intentional homicide and party to the crime of hiding a corpse.
Prosecutors said Vogelsberg repeatedly tortured Matthew Graville, a 27-year-old autistic man who died in July. Graville’s body was found near Lone Rock in November. He had been missing for four months.
Matthew Graville’s sister, mother, and best friend spoke with WISC-TV on Saturday.
They say they never doubted that Jeffrey Vogelsberg would end up in the Dane County Jail.
“We knew it’d probably take time, but we knew he’d end up back here,” said Brittany Casteel, Graville’s best friend.
“I think it kind of makes it sink into home that it actually happened, you know, now that the main person is here and being charged,” added Dominique Vaile, Graville’s sister.
“In the end, it’s just a relief to know that it started and it’s almost over,” said Vaile.
“It” started when Robert McCumber led police to Graville’s body near Lone Rock.
According to the criminal complaint, McCumber first found the corpse in a Mazomanie house.That’s where McCumber reportedly wrapped Graville in plastic before freezing his body and helping Vogelsberg to bury him.
Also in jail is Graville’s stepmother, Laura Robar, who is accused of stealing disability checks from Graville, who had been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome.
“We can only hope other people take more proceedings and more cautions to help people with disabilities to have people care for them,” said Casteel.
The women hope officials now release Graville’s body so they can lay their brother, son, and friend to rest.
“Waiting sucks. We just want it to be over and for Matthew to rest in peace, and we don’t want people suffering. This shouldn’t happen to other people, let alone Matthew,” added Casteel.
Vogelsberg is set to be in court the first Wednesday of the new year.
The other two accused are scheduled to go before a judge in February.
There has been a fund set up to help the family cover Graville’s funeral costs.
A silent auction and show will be held at Five Nightclub to raise money for that fund.
The event is scheduled for February 2 from 6 to 10 p.m.
