WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI (WSAU) — A Wood County Judge has determined that a 61-year-old man is competent to stand trial for killing a man back in 1985.
Donald Maier had a competency hearing on Friday where Judge Todd Wolf moved the case forward following the evaluation earlier this year. Though Maier will need a new attorney, as his current one asked to be removed from the case immediately.
Judge Wolf signed off on that request, relieving Timothy Hogan of any future duties related to the case. A search for a new attorney will begin, and the case will be set for a status hearing on July 31st.
Maier is accused of killing Benny Scruggs in his home in a Wisconsin Rapids trailer park. Maier had been living next door to Scruggs at the time of the incident when officers say he snuck into the home and stabbed Scruggs in his bedroom.
Maier is serving time at the Racine Correctional Institute on an unrelated charge. Witnesses say he admitted to killing Scruggs and having a sexual relationship with his wife to other inmates.
