Jury finds Matthew Neumann guilty on all counts in deaths of 2 employees

Matthew Neumann

MILWAUKEE -- A Milwaukee County jury on Friday, Dec. 6 deliberated for roughly two hours before finding Matthew Neumann guilty on two counts of first-degree reckless homicide and two counts of hiding a corpse in the deaths of his employees, Robert Hajduk and Richard Conklin.

Neumann, 44, was on trial for two counts of first-degree reckless homicide and two counts of hiding a corpse. Prosecutors say earlier this year, two of Neumann's employees at Spot Free Cleaning, Robert Hajduk and Richard Conklin, went missing. Days later, investigators say two bodies were found in a burn pit on a property leased by Neumann in East Troy.

Matthew Neumann

"Both of them are found, laying next to each other in that pit in Walworth -- a pit on the defendant's leased property," said Michael Schindhelm, prosecutor.

The prosecution offered little in the way of motive, but plenty of explosive testimony in the week-long trial.

Neumann's wife and daughter were called as witnesses for the state. Portions of recorded interviews Neumann did with police were also submitted into evidence.

Bones found in burn pit at East Troy property

No murder weapon was presented to the jury -- and prosecutors even changed the location of where the murders happened in court records on the last day of the trial. Still, DNA and cellphone records helped seal the case -- including video of Neumann walking by his torched truck -- and receipts showing he purchased lighter fluid and charcoal used in the burn pit where the bodies were discovered.

"We don't have a cause of death! We don't have even a death certificate. Why? We can't prove he's even dead or shot," Michael Steinle, defense attorney.

Bones found in burn pit at East Troy property

Before the verdict was issued, the judge told the court the jury had asked to review cellphone maps and DNA reports.