MARINETTE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Raymand Vannieuwenhoven is not competent to stand trial for the 1976 murders of a couple at McClintock park, a judge ruled Thursday.
Vannieuwenhoven, 82, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of David Schuldes, 25, and Ellen Matheys, 24.
The ruling means Vannieuwenhoven does not understand the court proceedings and cannot assist in his own defense. The decision does not regard his mental state at the time of the crime itself.
At the hearing Thursday, Vannieuwenhoven disagreed with the psychiatrist’s diagnosis, although the prosecutor and Vannieuwenhoven’s attorney both did agree he is incompetent, court records show.
Marinette County Judge James Morrison ordered inpatient treatment with the involuntary administration of medication, if necessary. Vannieuwenhoven’s mental status will be reviewed against a June 24 hearing, according to court records.
The murders of Schuldes and Matheys were unsolved for more than four decades. Last year, a DNA sample from evidence at the crime scene was determined to be from a particular family. After samples tested from Vannieuwenhoven’s brothers weren’t a match, a sample from him – obtained from a licked envelope for a survey on police performance filled out by Raymand, according to the complaint.
Vannieuwenhoven also allegedly sexually assaulted Matheys – and DNA from evidence from the assault was eventually used to tie him to the crime scene. However, the sexual assault charge was dismissed because the statute of limitations has expired. There is no statute of limitation on homicide charges.
