Harp not guilty in homicide trial

RICHLAND CENTER, Wis (WRCO / WRCE) – Not guilty was the verdict handed down in Richland County Circuit Court last night for David Harp, 63 of Baraboo. Harp was charged with Second Degree Reckless Homicide in the death of Corby Neef, 54 of Pardeeville.

Thursday began with Judge Lisa McDougal giving instruction to the jurors. She pointed out the lack of the state’s evidence due to clothing not being tested or preserved properly.

She stated, “The state failed to preserve evidence.” The defense requested evidence in June of 2023, and again in July of 2024. As of April 2025, the defense had still not received the evidence in the case. The court ordered Richland County to turn evidence over by April 21. The defense team did not receive the evidence until May 1, and the trial began May 12.

At this point, the court was cleared due to a bat in the courtroom. Once the bat was retrieved, court resumed. The judge then repeated a portion of her instructions, and closing arguments began.

Richland County District Attorney, Jennifer Harper, pointed out accessibility to the gun. She pointed out that David Harp said that the gun was unholstered and loaded in the counsel of his truck, but a holster was found in the door of the truck.

Defense Attorney, Jessa Nicholson, stated that the case should have been thrown out following testimony by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. She brought up the lack of reliable evidence. Although there were no useable fingerprints on the murder weapon, the trigger was never tested for prints. Also, while Marsha Neef’s clothing was collected, it was never tested for any type of evidence. The counsel where the gun was kept was also not tested for prints or DNA. Additionally, although it was reported that all three were drinking heavily, no blood alcohol test was given.

In the end, jurors in Richland County found David Harp not guilty of Second Degree Reckless Homicide in the death of Corby Neef.