APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The September trial for a man who allegedly killed his two children more than two years ago could be postponed because of a conflict related to a witness and the defense attorney.
Matthew Beyer is charged with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide for allegedly killing William, 5, and Danielle, 3, who were found dead in their Kaukauna home in February 2020. Beyer also faces charges of taking a hostage and attempted escape in connection with an unsuccessful attempt to escape from the Outagamie County jail in June 2020. A two-week trial is scheduled to start Sept. 6.
Outagamie County District Attorney Melinda Tempelis plans to call a witness, Thomas Healy, to testify about information Beyer told him about the homicide while both were in the jail. It is information Healy could have only learned about the homicides from Beyer, and would be a part of the state’s case to prove his guilt, Tempelis said.
However, defense attorney Amanda Skorr has a conflict with Healy. While specific details were not given in court, conflict of interest rules generally prohibit attorneys from representing people who may have adverse interests to each other, if they have responsibilities to another client, or if they previously represented someone else involved in the case. In this case, because of her unspecified prior contacts with Healy, Skorr asked to replaced in representing Beyer in the homicide case because she would not be able to cross exam Healy at Beyer’s trial.
In court Thursday, Judge Mark McGinnis asked Tempelis to provide documentation about Healy’s potential testimony. The judge also wants another attorney represented for Beyer as Healy’s possible testimony is considered by the court.
It’s possible that the Sept. 6 trial may only be for the escape-related counts and not the homicides, Judge McGinnis said – but specifically noted he hadn’t decided the issue and instructed the attorneys to be prepared to try the murder case then.
If a new attorney has to be appointed for Beyer in the murder case, however, the September trial on those counts would be postponed.
After prosecutors submit the information about Healy, and the single-issue attorney is appointed, another hearing will be scheduled to discuss the issue.
If convicted of a count of first-degree intentional homicide, a life sentence is automatic with a judge then deciding if or when Beyer could be eligible for parole. If convicted of two counts, the sentences could be ordered to be served back-to-back.
The children’s mother called police on Feb. 17, 2020, to report their deaths. The mother and Beyer both admitted they did not have a good relationship with each other, and were scheduled to appear in court later that day for a family court hearing.
Beyer initially denied being at the scene but later admitted he was at the house — though he has denied killing them.
According to the autopsies, the children suffered multiple “sharp force” injuries.
Beyer was arrested in June 2020, with a $2.5 million cash bond set. In December 2020, a trial date in November 2021 was set, but that was postponed due competency issues. In October 2021, the trial date for this fall was set.
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