Second suspect in 2001 La Crosse teen's murder to be released sooner than expected

A 38-year-old La Crosse-area man will soon be released from prison after serving more than 20 years in prison for the fatal beating of a teenager on the city's riverfront.

At 15, Timothy Goyette was the youngest of four teenagers charged with beating 16-year-old Jeff Smulick in 2001 as part of an alleged gang initiation for another suspect. Smulick was attacked in a lot on Front Street the weekend of Riverfest, hit in the head with a rock and thrown into the river. His body was found in the water a short time later.

Goyette was convicted of reckless homicide and aggravated battery at a plea hearing in 2002, and was sentenced to 25 years in prison, followed by extended supervision. He has served more than 80 percent of that sentence. In court Tuesday, Jeff Smulick's mother said she forgives Goyette and hopes he can start again. Judge Gloria Doyle approved Goyette's early release, saying Goyette expressed sincere regret for the killing. Goyette appeared in court via video. He is housed in a correctional center in Gordon, Wisconsin.

Two of the other defendants, Colin Littlejohn and Gary Gregory, remain in prison, with Littlejohn serving a life sentence for first-degree murder. The fourth suspect, Jonathan Coryell, was released in 2021.