BY EILEEN PERSIKE
Editor

An Eagle River man and woman seeking pain medication are being held in the Oneida County jail, each with a $250,000 cash bond after they allegedly held a Marshfield Clinic-Minocqua nurse practitioner (A.C.)  against her will and threatened to harm her with a hatchet and meat tenderizer.

According to the criminal complaint, Jillian L. Buza, 39, and Joseph R. Buza, 70, showed up late for Jillian’s appointment June 12 at the Marshfield Clinic pain clinic and became upset when she was told she needed to reschedule and said if she didn’t get her medication she would “go home and put a bullet in her head.” Jillian then allegedly walked toward the exam room, screaming A.C.’s name and was then told she could get in to see A.C. at the end of the day.

When A.C. entered the exam room, she reported to to Minocqua police officers, both Jillian and Joseph were in the room, which she noted was unusual. A.C. also said she had been attempting to wean Jillian off opioid pain medication. At some point, Joseph reportedly removed a hatchet and meat tenderizer from a bag he brought into the exam room, and cornered A.C. with his wheelchair, holding the hatchet and tenderizer up to her face. He allegedly said he was going to harm her, at which time Jillian took duct tape out of the bag and began taping the door.

The criminal complaint also indicates that at that time, staff members forced the door open and subdued both Jillian and Joseph until officers arrived.

Joseph reportedly told officer Tim Cerny that he planned to cause A.C. to feel pain by smashing her hands and feet and then kill Jillian and himself, but that he was too immobile and was unable to get to the .38 revolver that was also in the bag. He also stated that A.C. made his and Jillian’s “life a living hell,” that he had no remorse, and bought the gun four to six weeks ago with the intent to take his own life.

Jillian allegedly denied to Cerny knowledge of what Joseph had planned and that she did not want A.C. to get hurt.

The Buzas appeared in Oneida County Circuit Court today and are each charged with two felony charges related to false imprisonment and attempted aggravated battery intending great bodily harm and disorderly conduct. Joseph is also charged with carrying a concealed weapon. They are both being held on $250,000 cash bonds and will be back in court next week.