A self-proclaimed religious leader accused of helping a follower hide a corpse on her toilet is headed to trial.
Alan Bushey's stood mute during his arraignment hearing in Juneau County Court in Mauston Tuesday. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf on charges of causing mental harm to a child, hiding a corpse and theft.
Prosecutors say Bushey and his follower, Tammy Lewis, kept the decaying body of 90-year-old Magdeline Alvina Middlesworth on Lewis' toilet. Middlesworth was another member of their group. A criminal complaint says Bushey told Lewis that God would bring Middlesworth back to life. Prosecutors believe they both wanted to go on collecting Middlesworth's Social Security.
A motion hearing is scheduled for Bushey in March 2009 and his trial is scheduled to start in April.
