APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A jury ruled Thursday that Alexander Kraus is criminally responsible for the murders of his grandparents.
Kraus, 19, previously pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree intentional homicide for shooting Dennis and Letha Kraus on April 14, 2019, at their Grand Chute home, but also entered a plea of not guilty by reason or mental disease or defect.
This week, a jury had to decide if Kraus suffered from a mental disease at the time of the crime, and if, as a result, he lacked the substantial capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of his actions or to conform to the law.
Although the panel ruled Kraus indeed had a mental disease, the panel found he still had the capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of his actions.
Kraus now faces two life prison terms, with Judge Mitchell Metropulos deciding if Kraus will be eligible for parole and, if so, when. Sentencing was set for Aug. 16.
Earlier Thursday, the jury asked about the scenario it ultimately returned with, asking if it answered “Yes” to Question 1, but “no” to Question 2, would Kraus still go to jail. The jury was referred back to the jury instruction for direction.
Unlike the guilt or innocence phase of a criminal trial, the defense had the burden of proof in the competency phase of the case. The trial started Monday. Jury deliberations started Wednesday afternoon, and continued for about five hours Thursday.
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,” the complaint states.
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