DARLINGTON - A competency hearing for a Waukesha man accused of bludgeoning to death three retired Wiota farmers in April has been delayed a month.
Jaren Kuester, 31, was scheduled for a competency hearing in Lafayette County Circuit Court Tuesday, Oct. 15, but it was pushed to Nov. 12.
Kuester has a long history of mental health issues, including hospitalizations, but was previously found competent to stand trial for the murders of Gary Thoreson, 70, his wife Chloe Thoreson, 66, and brother Dean Thoreson, 76. The three were killed after Kuester allegedly broke into their home, apparently at random.
Judge William Foust ordered a second competency hearing after Kuester clammed up and refused to answer his questions in court Sept. 27. The request for a second evaluation effectively called off a two-week trial scheduled to begin this week.
- Katjusa Cisar
Jaren Kuester, 31, was scheduled for a competency hearing in Lafayette County Circuit Court Tuesday, Oct. 15, but it was pushed to Nov. 12.
Kuester has a long history of mental health issues, including hospitalizations, but was previously found competent to stand trial for the murders of Gary Thoreson, 70, his wife Chloe Thoreson, 66, and brother Dean Thoreson, 76. The three were killed after Kuester allegedly broke into their home, apparently at random.
Judge William Foust ordered a second competency hearing after Kuester clammed up and refused to answer his questions in court Sept. 27. The request for a second evaluation effectively called off a two-week trial scheduled to begin this week.
- Katjusa Cisar