A portrait of Hon. James Bayorgeon hangs in the Outagamie County Courthouse. Bayorgeon died in June of 2026 at the age of 91. PC: Fox 11 Online
OUTAGAMIE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Former Outagamie County Judge James Bayorgeon, who presided over several highly-publicized murder trials during his time on the bench, died Monday at the age of 91.
Although it’s been more than 20 years since Bayorgeon retired, he was still very much connected to the Outagamie County Circuit Courts. In fact, just last month, Bayorgeon was at the courthouse to celebrate his 91st birthday during the annual spring luncheon for Outagamie County’s retired judges.
“Judge Bayorgeon was always front and center. Excited to bring something, participate. Always one of the few leading the stories on what happened years ago,” said Outagamie County Judge Vince Biskupic.
Even decades later, those who knew him remembered the lessons he taught them.
“You knew you had to be prepared and on time,” said Brown County Judge John Zakowski.
Outagamie County Clerks of Courts Barb Bocik added, “I remember sometimes going down to Branch 1, and you could see attorneys running through the halls, and you kind of laughed because you always knew they were going to Branch 1. He expected people to be on time and prepared.”
Outagamie County Judge Mitch Metropulos recalled an appearance in Bayorgeon’s courtroom when he was a young attorney.
“I was 15 minutes late to go up to court with him, and I get in the court and he goes, ‘Is there any reason why you’re 15 minutes late, Mr. Metropulos?’ I go, ‘Yes, Your Honor, my office is incompetent.’ He gets a big smile on his face. He goes, ‘I’ll accept that. All you have to do, if you show up on time and be prepared, you are fine.'”
Strict with a booming voice, Bayorgeon was the judge who handed down the sentence for serial killer David Spanbauer in 1994. He received three life terms in prison without parole, plus 403 years, for a litany of gruesome charges, including the slayings of two Fox Valley girls, ages 10 and 12, and a 21-year-old Appleton woman.
At Spanbauer’s sentencing hearing, Bayorgeon famously said, “David Frank Spanbauer, I don’t know from what cesspool in hell you have slithered forth, and I can’t send you back there, but I have to deal with you today for the offenses you have committed, and deal with you I will.”
That was months before Bayorgeon presided over the high-profile trial of the six men eventually convicted of killing Tom Monfils in Green Bay. Monfils’ reporting of a theft of an extension cord at the then-James River paper mill set off the series of events which led to his body being found in a pulp vat at the mill. All six men maintained their innocence.
Zakowski, who was Brown County’s district attorney at the time, prosecuted the “Monfils Six” case.
“I think you needed someone who was going to run, as we say, a tight ship. Who would listen, but then make sure that you were not going to go off on tangents or go off and waste time. He kept things moving and he gave everyone an opportunity to present their case, but he was the right person for that job,” Zakowski said.
A pilot who also loved to fly fish, Bayorgeon’s personality was much different off the bench than it was on.
“He was sharp as a tack, as far as his legal mind, ” said retired Outagamie County Judge John Des Jardins. “He was an excellent storyteller, and he told a lot of great stories that I was a part to listen to. It was an honor to listen to those.”
All who knew Bayorgeon said even though he’s gone now, his legacy will live on.
“Be prompt, be prepared and you’re going to be a good lawyer,” Biskupic said.
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