Nikita Casap Pleads Guilty to First-Degree Intentional Homicide in Parents’ Deaths

WAUKESHA, Wis. — Nikita Casap, 18, entered a guilty plea on Thursday regarding two counts of first-degree intentional homicide in connection with the February 2025 deaths of his parents. The plea was accepted in Waukesha County Circuit Court, formally canceling a jury trial that had been scheduled to commence in early March.

According to court records, Casap admitted guilt to the charges before Judge Ralph Ramirez on January 8. The decision to accept the plea deal reportedly came as a surprise to the Waukesha County District Attorney’s Office, as the case was proceeding toward trial. Defense attorney Paul Joseph Rifelj requested the hearing to facilitate the change of plea. Under the applicable statutes, Casap now faces likely life sentences for the charges, with the specific terms of confinement to be adjudicated at a later date.

Judge Ramirez has scheduled a sentencing hearing for 1:30 p.m. on March 5. During this proceeding, the court will determine the final sentencing structure, including any potential eligibility for parole.

Legal Ramifications

The entry of a guilty plea in a capital-level homicide case fundamentally shifts the judicial focus from establishing culpability to determining appropriate penal consequences. By bypassing a trial, the defense often aims to demonstrate an acceptance of responsibility, which can be a mitigating factor during sentencing. However, first-degree intentional homicide convictions carry severe mandatory minimums, often restricting judicial discretion primarily to the question of parole supervision. It is important to note that while a guilty plea resolves the question of the verdict, the judicial process remains active until the court formally pronounces the sentence.