Jordan Peters, 19, is accused of fatally stabbing a 39-year-old woman in Clintonville on Sept. 4, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online
WAUPACA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The records of the case of a man accused of killing his mother has been sealed from public view, with no explanation for the move.
Jordan Peters is charged with first-degree intentional homicide for the Sept. 4, 2023, murder of Angela Zahn in Clintonville. He has pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.
The one-sentence order – “The Court orders that the above case be sealed until October 9, 2024” – was filed Friday, signed by Judge Vicki Clussman.
That’s the date a trial is scheduled, according to Judge Clussman’s online calendar. That has trial dates listed through Oct. 23.
It is not unusual for specific documents to be sealed from public view. However, in this case the entire online entry on Wisconsin Circuit Court Access – where the public can see details about the parties, charges, court hearings, documents filed, and so on – has been sealed. That is uncommon. In fact, a search using Jordan Peters’ name does not acknowledge the case exists.
The most recent story on the case was in April. At that time, the defense and prosecutor agreed Peters could be found not guilty by reason of mental disease, but another psychiatric exam was ordered.
“I just think because of how serious this case is, that it’s important for the court, at least, to be convinced of the finding. So, the court is going to, on its own, order that there be a second evaluation of Mr. Peters for the purpose of determining whether or not he is not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect,” Judge Clussman said then.
The next court date was pending, based on the receipt of that psychiatric report.
According to the criminal complaint, after Zahn was stabbed, she identified her attacker as Peters.
“He hates me,” she told police, the complaint states. Peters’ explanation to police cited their past history.
“During the interview when asked about what happened Jordan stated “I guess I got really angry and was thinking about the past and got to that breaking point and just stabbed her”. Officers asked Jordan why he had the knife with him today and Jordan stated “because I had plans to hurt [Zahn].” Jordan went on to tell investigators that he had wanted to kill (Zahn) for the last year and had begun planning it over the last week,” the complaint states.
Comments