WI - Dennis, 74, & Letha Kraus, 73, murdered by grandson, Grand Chute, 14 April 2019 *arrest*

[PastTense]

"June 14, 2019. The case against a Neenah teenager accused of shooting and killing his grandparents has moved a step closer to trial.

Alex Kraus, 17, was arrested April 14, the same day police found the bodies of Dennis Kraus, 74, and Letha Kraus, 73, at their home on Edgewood Drive in Grand Chute.

Kraus had called 911 himself shortly after 11:30 a.m., telling an emergency dispatcher "he had just killed his grandparents and needed to be arrested by the police," according to a criminal complaint filed in April in Outagamie County."
Neenah teenager accused of killing grandparents moves closer to trial

"July 12, 2019. A Neenah teen charged with the shooting deaths of his grandparents has entered pleas of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. Alexander Kraus, 17, appeared before an Outagamie County Judge Friday for an arraignment hearing.

Kraus is charged with two counts of 1st Degree Intentional Homicide in the April 14 shootings of Dennis Kraus and Letha Kraus.

The Hon. Mitchell J. Metropulos asked the teen if he understood the charges against him. Kraus answered, "Yes." Kraus' attorney entered the not guilty pleas on her client's behalf. The judge ordered a mental competency examination for Kraus. The results will be reviewed in court on Sept. 16."
Competency exam ordered for teen charged with killing grandparents

 

[JerseyGirl]

Psychiatric trial delayed for teen accused of killing grandparents

The psychiatric trial for a teen who killed his grandparents has been delayed from Nov. 16 to June 7, due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.

Because he had pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, a trial on Kraus’ mental condition will be held. 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.


The trial had been set for Nov. 16, but in court Monday, defense attorney Greg Petit raised concerns about the health of everyone involved, should the case proceed. District Attorney Melinda Tempelis and Judge Mitchell Metropulos agreed, and the trial was rescheduled.

The parties return to court Dec. 11 for a motions hearing.

 

[YaYa_521]

Neenah teen who shot grandparents not competent to proceed with case
Aug. 17, 2021

SBM

Alex Kraus, 19, of Neenah, pleaded guilty last year to two counts of first-degree intentional homicide. He tried to convince a jury that a mental illness kept him from being able to understand what he did was wrong, but wasn't successful.

Kraus had been awaiting sentencing, but Outagamie County Judge Mitchell Metropulos on Monday determined he wasn't competent and ordered him to get inpatient treatment until his competency is restored, according to court records.

Teenager who fatally shot grandparents will get a third competency exam as he awaits sentencing
April 4, 2022
SBM
Kraus, who remains at Mendota Mental Health Institute in Madison, appeared remotely for a hearing Monday. Kraus' defense attorneys, Britteny Koenig and Gregory Petit, asked Metropulos to allow Kraus to be evaluated for a third time, this time by a doctor hired by the defense.

The most recent evaluation, which isn't available to the public, found the evidence "falls nearly equally on each side of the competency argument," though the doctor cautiously determined Kraus was competent to proceed, Koenig said.

Outagamie County District Attorney Melinda Tempelis didn't object to the defense's request for a third evaluation.

Kraus' next hearing is scheduled for May 23.

 

[ifindedout]

Sentenced to life in Sept. 2022.

Neenah teenager who killed his grandparents in 2019 will serve at least 40 years in prison

During a June 2021 trial, Alexander Kraus tried to convince a jury that a mental illness kept him from being able to understand what he did was wrong.

www.postcrescent.com

APPLETON - A Neenah teenager who shot and killed his grandparents at their home in Grand Chute in 2019 will serve at least 40 years of a life sentence.

Alexander M. Kraus, now 20, showed little emotion in court Friday as Outagamie County Judge Mitchell Metropulos sentenced him to life in prison and ordered that he serve at least 40 years, minus the 3½ years he's already been in custody, before he can petition for supervised release.

"Obviously, the severity of the offense is significant," Metropulos said, "as horrible of a crime as we have. Mr. Kraus killed his grandparents, and he killed both, one right after the other, and it was without mercy, and it was with intent, and it was well planned out."

Kraus previously pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree intentional homicide in the deaths of Dennis Kraus, 74, and Letha Kraus, 73.

"I loved my grandparents," Kraus told the court before sentencing. "I'm so sorry."