APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The case of a man who allegedly killed his two children may be resolved with a plea deal, instead of going to trial.
Matthew Beyer, 37, is charged with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide for allegedly killing William, 5, and Danielle, 3, who were found dead in their Kaukauna home in February 2020.
A two-week trial is currently scheduled to begin Sept. 6. However, court records show a plea hearing is now scheduled for Monday.
Details of the proposed plea deal were not available. If convicted of a count of first-degree intentional homicide, a life sentence is automatic with a judge then deciding if or when Beyer could be eligible for parole.
The children’s mother called police on Feb. 17, 2020, to report their deaths. The mother and Beyer both admitted they did not have a good relationship with each other, and were scheduled to appear in court later that day for a family court hearing.
Beyer initially denied being at the scene but later admitted he was at the house — though he has denied killing them.
According to the autopsies, the children suffered multiple “sharp force” injuries.
Beyer was arrested in June 2020, with a $2.5 million cash bond set. In December 2020, a trial date in November 2021 was set, but that was postponed due competency issues. In October 2021, the trial date for this fall was set.
Beyer also faces charges of taking a hostage and attempted escape in connection with an unsuccessful attempt to escape from the Outagamie County jail in June 2020.
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