Carson Peters-Berger, the Wisconsin teenager accused of killing his 10-year-old cousin Lily Peters, may not proceed to a trial scheduled for November. A resolution hearing is set for Aug. 26 in Chippewa County, more than four years after Lily was killed. Authorities have not disclosed what outcome is expected, while the defense says the hearing will address issues that could determine whether a trial occurs.
Peters-Berger was 14 when Lily died in April 2022 and is now 18. He faces charges including first-degree intentional homicide and sexual assault, with a life sentence possible if he is convicted of the most serious charge.
| Article Subheadings | |
|---|---|
| 1) | Hearing could affect the November trial schedule |
| 2) | Charges and potential penalties |
| 3) | Timeline of Lily Peters’ disappearance |
| 4) | Allegations described in the criminal complaint |
| 5) | What remains unresolved before the hearing |
Hearing could affect the November trial schedule
The Chippewa County District Attorney’s Office announced that a resolution hearing will take place Aug. 26. The proceeding is scheduled in Chippewa County, where Lily was killed and where the criminal case has been pending since 2022. The hearing comes after Peters-Berger was expected to stand trial in November.
Wade Newell, the Chippewa County district attorney, said the scheduled resolution means the case will not go to trial and will instead conclude after the hearing. However, defense attorney Michael Cohen gave a different description of the proceeding.
The hearing will “address issues in the case that will determine whether there will be a trial,” the defense attorney said.
Charges and potential penalties
Peters-Berger faces charges of first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree sexual assault and first-degree sexual assault of a child under age 13 resulting in great bodily harm. Prosecutors allege the offenses were connected to Lily’s death in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.
The most serious charge carries the possibility of life in prison if Peters-Berger is convicted. The case remains unresolved, and the allegations have not been adjudicated in court. The Aug. 26 hearing may determine whether the prosecution continues toward a trial or ends through another resolution.
Timeline of Lily Peters’ disappearance
Lily was reported missing by her father on the evening of April 24, 2022, after she did not return home from her aunt’s house. Her father later located her bicycle in a wooded area in Chippewa Falls. An initial police search did not find her.
Authorities were notified the following morning that Lily’s body had been found near the location where the bicycle was discovered. She was 10 years old. Investigators said her injuries were consistent with blunt force trauma, according to the criminal complaint.
Allegations described in the criminal complaint
According to the complaint, Peters-Berger told investigators that he asked Lily to go exploring off a trail. He allegedly said he punched her in the stomach, knocking her to the ground, and struck her with a stick while they were in a wooded area.
The complaint also says Peters-Berger told investigators that he strangled Lily and attempted to sexually assault her after her death. He allegedly returned home, showered and placed his dirty clothing in the laundry. After learning that Lily had been reported missing, he allegedly returned to the body, dragged it several feet and covered it with leaves.
What remains unresolved before the hearing
Court records do not yet identify the specific resolution expected at the hearing. That leaves the legal status of the November trial uncertain. The district attorney’s statement suggests the case could conclude, while the defense account indicates that legal issues may first need to be addressed before a trial decision is made.
The hearing is therefore the next significant step for both sides. It may clarify whether the charges will be resolved without a trial, whether the November schedule will remain in place, or whether additional proceedings will be required.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | A resolution hearing is scheduled for Aug. 26 in Chippewa County. |
| 2 | The hearing could determine whether the expected November trial proceeds. |
| 3 | Peters-Berger faces homicide and sexual assault charges. |
| 4 | Lily was reported missing on April 24, 2022, and found dead the next morning. |
| 5 | The court record does not state what resolution will be presented. |
Summary
The Aug. 26 hearing will provide the next indication of whether the case against Carson Peters-Berger will proceed to a November trial. Prosecutors and the defense have offered differing descriptions of the hearing’s likely purpose, and the court record has not specified the expected resolution. Until the proceeding occurs, the charges and possible trial remain unresolved.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the resolution hearing scheduled?
The hearing is scheduled for Aug. 26 in Chippewa County, Wisconsin.
Will the case go to trial in November?
That remains uncertain. The district attorney said the case would conclude after the resolution hearing, while the defense said the proceeding will address issues that will determine whether a trial takes place.
What charges does Peters-Berger face?
He faces first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree sexual assault and first-degree sexual assault of a child under age 13 resulting in great bodily harm.
How old was Lily Peters when she died?
Lily was 10 years old when she was killed in Chippewa Falls in April 2022.
