Man charged in death of Lincoln Hills counselor withdraws pleas

MERRILL – A man charged in the 2024 death of a Lincoln Hills School counselor has withdrawn his pleas in the case.

As part of a January plea deal, Javarius Hurd, now 18, pleaded guilty/no contest by mental disease or defect to one felony count of second-degree reckless homicide. Hurd also pleaded guilty to one felony count of battery by prisoners. A second battery by prisoners charge was dismissed in exchange for the pleas.

Hurd was previously facing one felony count of first-degree reckless homicide and two felony counts of battery by prisoners.

The charges against Hurd, formerly incarcerated at Lincoln Hills, stem from a June 24, 2024 incident in which he, then 16, assaulted two staff members at the youth detention center, the first being a female and the second being Corey Proulx, 49. Hurd punched Proulx, causing him to fall and hit his head on the concrete. Proulx died the following day.

In February, Hurd’s defense filed a motion to withdraw the pleas. Judge Galen Bayne-Allison granted the motion on Wednesday, May 6.

The Wisconsin Examiner earlier this month reported that Hurd’s decision to withdraw his pleas follow a Wisconsin Court of Appeals decision in the case of a 10-year-old boy charged in the death his mother. The court’s decision in that case may impact Hurd’s ability to have his case moved to juvenile court, according to reporting.

Court records show Hurd is again facing one felony charge of first-degree reckless homicide and two felony counts of battery by prisoners.

Hurd is scheduled to appear in court for a hearing on Wednesday, June 3.