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Emotions were still very raw among those who testified at Friday’s sentencing of Justin Valian.  Judge Bollman ordered him to serve to 225 months in prison for an earlier guilty plea to the second degree stabbing death of Joshua Kaczrowski, outside his home in rural Harris, in May 2020.   

Kaczrowski, was only 28-years-old and much beloved.  He was memorialized in about an hour’s worth of statements by family and friends, punctuated by sobbing and a heavy sadness in the courtroom. His bright future of milestones and life events will never happen; he doesn’t get to give his sisters a hug or talk on the phone with friends. The defendant will get to do that again some day, and there is no fairness or justice in that, they stated.

Joshua Kaczrowski was reportedly working on a car with a friend last May, when  Valian arrived at the residence on Joywood Avenue to provide a ride for a woman wanting to leave.  The female got in Valian’s van and according to the criminal complaint, a brief altercation ensued between Valian and Kaczrowski. As the van drove off the bystander told North Branch police he then noticed Kaczrowski lying on the ground with a stab wound to his torso (heart) and arm.

(The female, Courtney Pilz-Carr, 28, is currently serving a sentence for aiding and abetting Valian. She continued to accompany Valian as he eluded authorities, and provided misleading information when she was questioned.  Both were arrested within hours after the stabbing.)

Six impact statements were read aloud in district court April 16 by Joshua’s parents, two sisters, a niece and family friend.    Valian was seated next to his two public defenders, and directly faced the victim’s loved ones.

Kaczrowski’s father Tim, told the court the stabbing was a moment in time that has taken an immeasurable toll on all who knew Joshua. Joshua’s mother Nancy  motioned to the people weeping in the courtroom—looking Valian in the eye saying,  “You did that.”  

Joshua’s sister  Joanie said the death has “taken the family apart at the seams.”  Joshua was described as the guy who made people laugh and was always doing things to create instant memories. Another sister Jessica said she is a changed person because  her brother was murdered. “I have not forgiven you, but when I do it will be for me,”  she told Valian.

Judge Bollman imposed the plea agreement calling for 225 months in prison, with 150 months minimum to be served. Valian is credited for the nearly one year he has been incarcerated.

He will have another 75 months on supervised release if good conduct in confinement warrants him being discharged.  A $500 fine will come out of prison wages.  No restitution was sought by Joshua’s family.

Valian told the judge he is “beyond sorry’ and can only offer an apology, and promised to work to become a better person.

A couple other legal matters attached to Valian  were also disposed of by Judge Bollman. There was a probation violation from a 2016 offense that the sentence was executed on. Barron County Wisconsin sought extradition for a pending complaint officially dismissed by this case’s disposition.

And, there was a new gross misdemeanor charge for introducing contraband into the Chisago County jail just a couple months ago.  A quantity of methamphetamine was sent to Valian in jail, in a pre-arranged letter, which resulted in a 180 day sentence, attached to the Friday sentencing.

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