Wesley Brice (Brown County Jail)
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — One week after a murder suspect was found competent to stand trial, his attorney again raised concerns Wednesday about his client’s mental condition.
Wesley Brice, 22, faces nine charges, including first-degree intentional homicide, for stabbing two people, one fatally, on March 15 on Green Bay’s west side.
The competency issues relates to Brice’s ability to understand the court proceedings and assist in his own defense.
Brice talked about being God as he stabbed the victims and police say he appeared delusional.
After being found competent last week, a preliminary hearing was scheduled for today. However, defense attorney Matthew Kolell said that, after meeting with his client, he needed to raise the issue again.
“At this time, I know it’s a little strange since we just had the return on competency hearing last week, but we would be raising competency at this time. His demeanor from my last conversation from last week to this week has changed dramatically, from my discussions with him,” Kolell said.
Brice did not speak during the hearing. He appeared in court via video from the jail, rocking back and forth.
A court commissioner does not have the authority to order a competency exam, so the matter was scheduled for June 21 before a circuit court judge.
According to the criminal complaint (WARNING: Contains graphic details):
Brice entered the Rockabilly’s bar, and started talking with a female bartender. After telling Brice to leave, he dragged her into a bathroom and stabbed her before she was able to get away.
Moments later, police responded to a vehicle near another bar, where a man was found with five stab wounds, including one to the chest.
A witness said Brice punched out a window in the vehicle, then stabbed the victim, age 70. Investigators have not yet released his name.
When police arrived, Bryce was near the vehicle, “shouting things like, he is the real God,” and then was placed into custody.
“As officers brought Wesley over to the squad car, he was not making coherent sentences and was saying, “I am God.” Other officers on scene then secured Wesley in the squad car. Officers had the windows rolled down and could hear Wesley still making statements that did not make any sense. Wesley then began repeating his name over and over again saying, “Wesley James Brice, Wesley James Brice.” It was clear to officers on scene that Wesley was in some sort of excited mental state and did not know what was going on,” the complaint states.
After being taken to the hospital, Brice was more coherent and said he didn’t mean to hurt anyone. He also “mentioned that he wanted officers to kill him and he did say that he wanted to die,” the complaint states.
Comments