Man accused of killing UW-Whitewater gymnast faces trial

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – A judge ordered the man accused of killing UW-Whitewater student Kara Welsh to stand trial.

Chad Richards appeared in Walworth District Court on Friday, where a judge found probable cause to commit a felony and ordered him committed for trial.

The state requested two weeks to schedule an arraignment hearing. According to court records, the hearing is scheduled for Friday, November 8th at 2 p.m.

Chad Richards(Whitewater Police Department)

Richards, 23, is charged with first-degree intentional murder by use of a dangerous weapon. If convicted, he could face life in prison.

His bail had previously been set at $1 million.

Richards is accused of killing Kara Welsh, who was a gymnast at the university. The 21-year-old student was from Plainfield, Illinois.

During her competitive gymnastics career, Welsh was the 2023 national vault champion, winning the event with a score of 9.825. She was also a two-time WIAC vault champion and tied the 2024 program record with a score of 9.875.