WAUKESHA, Wis. (AP) - A 67-year-old Oconomowoc woman has been cleared of criminal charges for the second time after leaving her loaded handgun in a Brookfield church last year.
Susan Hitchler forgot the weapon in a woman’s restroom while visiting Elmbrook Church last March. A janitor discovered the gun and turned it over to security at the church.
Hitchler was charged with negligently handling a weapon, but the charged was dismissed in June. Prosecutors re-filed a new complaint charging her with disorderly conduct in November.
A judge dismissed the most recent charge Tuesday. He noted that Hitchler had a license to carry a concealed weapon, and said her negligence wasn’t criminal.
Her husband, Gerald Hitchler, left his loaded handgun in a men’s restroom at Egg Harbor Fun Park in August. Prosecutors reviewed the incident but didn’t pursue charges.
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