Thursday, September 11, 2008 --- 8:40 a.m.

VIROQUA, Wis. (AP) -- The sister-in-law of a man who died after he was beaten outside a Vernon County bar has been banned from attending sentencing for the man convicted in the assault.

Vernon County Circuit Judge Michael Rosborough says it's the first time he can remember ever barring someone from the courtroom for a sentencing.

Marcy Kuykendall sent an e-mail to the district attorney that included profanity and strong negative opinions about the judicial system in Vernon County. Rosborough says she also expressed a wish that the defendant, David Heisz, be murdered in the courtroom during sentencing on Oct. 20.

Heisz pleaded no contest to second-degree reckless homicide in the February death of Kelly Kuykendall outside Pat's Corner Bar in Readstown. Prosecutors say Heisz pushed the Beloit man off a landing and punched him.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)