APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A typed ‘manifesto’ outlining his plans will be allowed to be used as evidence at the upcoming so-called insanity plea trial for the teen convicted killing his grandparents, a judge ruled Tuesday.
Alexander Kraus, 18, pleaded guilty in June to two counts of first-degree intentional homicide for shooting Dennis and Letha Kraus on April 14, 2019, at their Grand Chute home.
Because he had pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, a trial on Kraus’ mental condition is scheduled for Nov. 16. That means a jury will decide if Kraus had a mental disease, and, if so, if he lacked the capacity to conform his behavior to the law. If a jury determines he meets those conditions, he would be committed to a psychiatric facility. If a jury determines he did not, he would face two life prison terms. The jury is not deciding guilt or innocence due to previous guilty plea.
According to the criminal complaint, Kraus admitted to shooting his grandparents but a motive was not disclosed. During the investigation, police found “several pages containing Alexander’s typed out plans for killing his grandparents.”
At a hearing Tuesday, Outagamie County District Attorney Melinda Tempelis argued the document should be allowed as evidence, because it shows Kraus’ planning and premeditation. Judge Mitchell Metropulos agreed.
The trial is scheduled for five days.
Due to concerns about how the COVID-19 pandemic might impact the case, a status conference will be held Oct. 20. Currently, in-person court hearings are generally prohibited in Outagamie County.
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