The Associated Bank in downtown Green Bay is seen July 28, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A “dangerous loophole in Wisconsin law,” is now closed, a Green Bay lawmaker says.
On Thursday, Senate Bill 485, authored by State Sen. Eric Wimberger, R-Green Bay, was signed into law.
The bill strengthens state robbery laws after charges were initially dropped against a successful Green Bay bank robber.
Jeffrey Morris, 55, is accused of robbing the Associated Bank downtown on July 28, 2023, leaving the scene with $2,500 after handing the teller a note which said “100s, 50s and 20s,” and then saying “I want it all. All of it,” to the teller. He was arrested a short time later, with the cash.
Charges were initially dismissed citing that state law requires the use or threat of force for a robbery conviction. Charges were later refiled and in August, a judge allowed the case to proceed, calling it a “reasonable inference” in the situation that force was an option.
The bill expands robbery to include circumstances in which a reasonable person would believe the use of force was imminent.
“After the robbery in Green Bay, it was important to close this dangerous loophole in Wisconsin law and protect banks and their employees,” Senator Wimberger said. “This common-sense fix allows banks and their employees to take demands for money seriously while ensuring the law holds would-be criminals accountable.”
The current definition of robbery requires taking money by the imminent use of force, and the act expands this definition to include creating circumstances that would cause a reasonable person to believe the use of force was imminent. This new definition better aligns with current training policies of bank employees, which instruct them not to resist and to hand over any money when prompted.
Meanwhile Morris has a trial scheduled for April 2.
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