Murder in a Small Town: The Kyson Rice Case

by Larry Scheckel

"It was the most horrific crime ever to come before this Court,” said the Judge. A renowned forensic pathologist shouted from the witness stand, “Torture!” when describing the beating three-year-old Kyson Rice took at the hands of a 6-foot 3-inch, 240-pound monster. Read the account of an ambulance team desperately trying to keep a badly beaten boy alive and a high-risk arrest by a well-equipped professionally trained police force to take down a murderer. Follow in the footsteps of four investigators who reached as far as Arizona to gather information. Relive the courtroom drama as a seasoned District Attorney and a skilled Assistant District Attorney forge a compelling case in which there were no witnesses, no weapons, and a questionable motive. Follow the longest trial in Monroe County Court history, with the most witnesses ever to testify, often leaving the jury in tears. Read the heartbreaking account of a mother and community losing a loving, intelligent, and happy youngster to a painful and excruciating death at the hands of a cowardly psychopath who refused to accept responsibility for torturing Kyson to death.

405 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2025

About the author

Larry Scheckel grew up on a family farm in the hill country of southwestern Wisconsin, one of nine children. He attended eight years of a one room country school, four years of high school, off to the military for a spell, trained in electronics as a TV broadcast engineer, married, college, and started a teaching career. That career stretched over thirty-eight years teaching physics and aerospace science to over four thousand high school students at Tomah, Wisconsin.

Larry has been named Tomah Teacher of the Year three times, and Presidential Awardee at the state level for six years. He is the recipient of the Tandy Award, Kohl Award, Wisconsin Physics Teacher Award, Health Physics Society Award, Ron Gibbs Award, and Excellence in Science Teaching Award. He has authored articles for The Science Teacher magazine and The Physics Teacher magazine. He has been a Science Olympiad coach, robotics mentor, organized field trip and star gazing sessions, and gave orientation flights to students.

Larry has shared his expertise with teachers at National Science Teacher Association conventions, Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers, and summer workshops. He has given presentations to thousands of adults and students in such venues as Children's Museums, Boys and Girls Clubs, Rotary, and conventions.

Larry likes to bicycle in the Driftless area of south central Wisconsin, jog on the back roads, fly a Cessna 150 over the verdant countryside, work crossword puzzles, read newspapers, historical books, and trade magazines, and fly radio controlled planes. He and wife, Ann, retired teachers, have written nine books and live in Tomah, Wisconsin.

Reviews

[Jasmine | PagesandPawsWithJasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Thoughtful and Respectful True Crime Account

Murder in a Small Town: The Kyson Rice Case by Larry Scheckel is a compelling and deeply respectful exploration of a heartbreaking case. The author tells the story of Kyson Rice’s tragic death with care and precision, focusing not on drama but on truth, justice, and the lasting impact on a close-knit Wisconsin community.

This is not a fast-paced or sensational read. Instead, Scheckel delivers a steady and thorough account that honors the gravity of the case. His writing is clear and compassionate, drawing readers into the real people behind the headlines. The investigative details are thoughtfully presented, and the emotional weight of the story is never lost.

For readers who appreciate true crime that is rooted in empathy and careful research rather than shock value, this book is an excellent choice. It left me with a heavy heart but a deep respect for the work that went into seeking justice for Kyson.

[Ariel Carison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A harrowing true-crime story of tragedy, justice, and perseverance. Scheckel delivers a gripping account of the investigation and trial that shook a community to its core.