Wisconsin Rapids man pleads not guilty to attempted murder during high-speed chase

WISCONSIN RAPIDS — A 30-year-old Wisconsin Rapids man accused of shooting at police cars during a high-speed chase pleaded not guilty Monday morning to an attempted murder charge.

Clinton H. Mayotte, who also faces charges in Portage County related to the same incidents, has pleaded not guilty to five counts of attempted first-degree premeditated murder; one count of fleeing an officer, one count of possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and one count of misdemeanor domestic violence. Marathon County Judge Scott Corbett, the acting deputy judge in the Wood County case, set Mayotte’s next appearance for Jan. 28.

Mayotte faces charges of attempted first-degree murder, fleeing an officer and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon in Portage County. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Nov. 11.

According to the criminal complaint, in the early morning hours of Aug. 20, a Wisconsin Rapids woman reported Mayotte was acting paranoid and thought he was trying to break into her home. She said she was frightened by Mayotte’s behavior. Mayotte hit the woman in the forehead with a mobile phone. Mayotte told the woman to close her mouth, put his hand over her mouth and briefly restrained her, according to the complaint.

The woman said Mayotte left in her car. The vehicle then became involved in a pursuit that began with a traffic stop in Portage County, according to the complaint.

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At 1:09 a.m. Aug. 20, a Portage County deputy reported pursuing a vehicle west on State 54 and approaching the Wood County line. The vehicle was traveling approximately 100 mph and fired shots at a Portage County patrol car, according to the complaint. A Wood County deputy joined a Portage County deputy in a pursuit on the Riverview Expressway in Wisconsin Rapids. A Grand Rapids patrol car also joined the chase.

The group took to the streets on the west bank of the river. As the driver, later identified as Mayotte, approached the intersection of 17th Avenue and Chase Street, he fired two shots in the direction of the patrol car. Mayotte then drove back to the Riverview Expressway, 12th Street, Oak Street, 16th Street, Airport Avenue, Eighth Street and eventually East Grand Avenue, where officers were able to disable his vehicle .

Mayotte fled his vehicle while shooting at law enforcement officers, according to the complaint. Officers allegedly saw Mayotte fire multiple shots at patrol cars during the chase.

Mayotte fled into the house and up to the roof where he continued to shoot at officers, according to the complaint. A Wisconsin Rapids officer and lieutenant said they saw Mayotte on the roof pointing a gun at them. According to the complaint, officers opened fire on Mayotte and wounded him.

If convicted, Mayotte faces a maximum penalty of 60 years in prison on each of the five attempted murder charges. He is currently being held in jail awaiting $2 million cash bail.

Contact Karen Madden at 715-345-2245 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @KMadden715, Instagram @kmadden715 or Facebook at www.facebook.com/karen.madden.33.

This article originally appeared in the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: A Wisconsin Rapids man denies shooting at officers during a high-speed chase.