In a significant closure to a tragic case that has spanned over a decade, two Wisconsin men have pleaded guilty in the 2012 death of Corey Stingley, a 16-year-old from West Allis. Robert Beringer, 67, and Jesse Cole, 39, faced felony murder charges centered on false imprisonment as the teen lost his life following an altercation in a convenience store, TMJ4 reported. In a plea agreement that diverts from traditional punitive measures, both men will undergo a six-month deferred prosecution period, after which the charges could be dismissed with prejudice if they adhere to the terms set by the court.
Stingley's death, originally deemed an accident owing to the belief that the men involved were not trained in restraint techniques, has been a source of deep anguish and sustained pursuit of justice for the Stingley family. "The three men who killed my son were three white men; they strangled him," Craig Stingley, Corey's father, told WISN 12 News back in 2014. The case's revival came with Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne, acting as special prosecutor, leading to the charges against Beringer and Cole.
This outcome is shaped in part by a restorative justice approach facilitated by Marquette University's Restorative Justice program. The program allowed for a process of healing and dialogue between the Stingley family and the accused. The family's involvement in this approach was critical, as they sought to humanize Corey and find a path towards reconciliation rather than strict retribution, reflecting a yearning for accountability that transcends their own pain — a sentiment reflected deeply when Craig Stingley expressed, "I'm not looking for vengeance. I don't have vengeance in me today," according to a FOX6 interview.
Alicia Stingley, Corey's mother, spoke about the life landmarks their son would never reach and described the restorative justice proceedings as pivotal for their family. "Corey was my baby. The mother is not supposed to bury her child," she told the court, her words echoing the gravity of their loss through their years-long push for answers and accountability. Despite the immeasurable grief, Alicia extended forgiveness to the defendants, an act emblematic of an a journey toward healing both for the Stingley family and community affected by Corey's death, as per TMJ4.
Both Beringer and Cole have committed to a $500 charitable donation in Corey's name, a gesture that carries symbolic weight in the broader narrative of restorative justice. Their convictions will be expunged after the six-month period if no further issues arise, marking an unconventional yet poignant resolution to a case that has, until now, been characterized by a lingering quest for justice for Corey Stingley.
