TIMELINE: Key events in Brittany Zimmermann case
MADISON, Wis. — Nearly 15 years after University of Wisconsin-Madison student Brittany Zimmermann was murdered in her downtown Madison apartment, David Kahl, the man who admitted to the crime, was sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole.
News 3 Now has compiled this timeline of key events in the case, from Zimmermann’s death to Friday’s sentencing.
April 2, 2008:
Zimmermann’s fiancé finds her dead inside their apartment on West Doty Street around 1 p.m. Zimmermann had called 911 after someone followed her into her home but a dispatcher hung up after they reportedly didn’t hear anything on the other end of the call.
February 2016:
Zimmermann’s family announces investigators have a DNA match in the case but do not identify the person because charges are not filed at the time. Then-police chief Mike Koval says there is not enough evidence to make an arrest in the case.
June 16, 2016:
A March 2015 search warrant obtained by News 3 Now reveals DNA found on Zimmermann’s shirt sleeve matches Kahl’s DNA.
August 2017:
Andrew Scoles, a close friend of Kahl’s who claimed Kahl confessed to killing Zimmermann, dies from his injuries in a motorcycle crash. Police said they had concerns about Scoles’ reliability after he tried to use the information to secure his release from prison or a pardon for past crimes.
February 12, 2020:
According to a criminal complaint, new tests find Kahl’s DNA on Zimmermann’s jeans.
March 20, 2020:
Police announce Kahl’s arrest in Zimmermann’s murder.
A criminal complaint outlines multiple statements Kahl made to police after Zimmermann’s death, as well as reports from multiple witnesses that they saw a man in the area of Zimmermann’s apartment asking people for money.
Kahl, who is behind bars for a drunk driving sentence at the time his arrest in the Zimmermann case is announced, had been set to be released just days later.
June 17, 2021:
Kahl is ruled competent to stand trial in the Zimmermann murder case.
July 15, 2021:
During a preliminary hearing, a judge finds there is probable cause to move forward with the case against Kahl.
July 26, 2021:
A not-guilty plea is entered on Kahl’s behalf.
October 27, 2022:
Kahl pleads guilty to killing Zimmermann as part of a plea deal. As part of the plea deal, prosecutors said the state would not contest any request from Kahl for extended supervision after serving 20 years behind bars. Prior to the plea deal, Kahl had been set to go to trial in the case in January 2023.
January 20, 2023:
Kahl is sentenced to life in prison without parole. During a sentencing hearing, Kahl asked the judge not to allow him to be released early.
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