One of the men convicted of poisoning and killing a Dodgeville woman was sentenced Tuesday. Aric Way and his son Phillip Schmidt-Way were found guilty of first-degree intentional homicide in December 2023. Officials state the men used sulfuric acid and formic acid to make carbon monoxide, poisoning the victim. The woman was Aric’s mother and Phillip’s grandmother. On Tuesday, Aric Way was sentenced to life in prison without possibility for release. Aric Way plans to appeal the decision.
According to a criminal complaint, Aric and Philip were both originally included in the victim’s will that would give them her 72-acre farmstead. However, records show when Aric learned of her plan to sell the property, he tried filing for guardianship of his mother but that was dismissed. Following the guardianship proceedings, the victim decided to remove Aric from her will but kept Philip on it. Investigators with the Wisconsin Department of Justice claim in the days leading up to her death, Aric and Phillip discussed ways to stop her from selling the property. Phillip Schmidt-Way’s hearing is set for 3 p.m.
