APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – A Neenah teen that is charged with killing his grandparents pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect on Friday.
17-year-old Alexander Kraus faces two counts of first-degree intentional homicide in connection to the April 14 murders of Dennis and Letha Kraus at their Grand Chute home.
A psychiatric exam was ordered and a September 16 hearing was set to review those results.
The so-called insanity plea means that the defense contends that at the time of the alleged crime, Kraus was unable to discern right from wrong.
If the case does go to trial, a jury would first determine if Kraus is guilty, and, if so, determine if he should be held responsible for his actions.
If held mentally responsible, he faces mandatory life prison terms.
If not, he would be committed for psychiatric treatment.
No trial date is set and Kraus will return to court on August 6 for a motion hearing on other issues.
Kraus admitted to shooting his grandparents but a motive was not disclosed, according to the criminal complaint.
