Person of interest in Mazomanie homicide in court on unrelated charges

Police: 39-year-old faces drug possession, felony bail jumping charges on Rock Co.

JANESVILLE, Wis. — The man Dane County investigators say is a person of interest in the murder of a Mazomanie woman was in Rock County court facing other charges.

Phillip Byrd appeared over video conference from the Rock County Jail Tuesday.

The 39-year-old faces charges for drug possession, as well as felony bail jumping.

Sheriff’s deputies continue to investigate the Feb. 23 murder of Cheryl Gilberg.

A criminal complaint said that a bottle of amphetamine prescribed to Gilberg was also found along with prescriptions belonging to Byrd when authorities searched a home in Janesville.

Investigators said Byrd has not been charged, and is one of many people they’ve spoken with.