Wisconsin “Career Criminal” Faces Death Penalty In Arkansas

A 26-year-old Marinette man faces the death penalty in central Arkansas.  A Marinette County Circuit Court judge once described Kevin J. Buerke as a “career criminal,” saying there was almost no crime in the criminal code he hadn’t tried.  He is accused of killing 80-year-old Betty Slaughter of Hot Springs.  Her burned body was found in a cemetery last month.  Buerke is still on active community supervision for several Wisconsin convictions.  He was living near family members in Arkansas.