La Crosse man agrees to return to Arizona for murder trial

Martinson arrested last week after court ordered a new trial in son’s death

A former Arizona man facing a new murder trial in that state is ready to go back. 

Jeffrey Martinson of La Crosse appeared before Judge Todd Bjerke on Friday, and agreed to be sent to Arizona for re-trial in the 2004 death of his young son, Joshua. 

A jury found Martinson guilty of murder, and he spent several years in prison until the conviction was overturned because of improper actions by the prosecution and the jury foreman.

After his release, Martinson moved to western Wisconsin, and has worked in construction here until being arrested last week. 

Until officers from Arizona come to pick him up, Martinson will remain in the La Crosse County jail on $1 million bond.