MARINETTE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The most recent psychiatric report on the suspect for the 1976 murders of a couple at McClintock Park is inconclusive, so the case is on hold until mid-September.
Raymand Vannieuwenhoven, 83, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of David Schuldes, 25, and Ellen Matheys, 24.
In March, Vannieuwenhoven was found not competent to stand trial. The ruling means Vannieuwenhoven does not understand the court proceedings and cannot assist in his own defense. The decision does not regard his mental state at the time of the crime itself.
Since then, he has been undergoing psychiatric treatment at the Mendota mental health facility. In the most recent report, dated June 8, the doctor said Vannieuwenhoven was not currently competent but was likely to regain competency with treatment, said Marinette County Judge James Morrison on Wednesday.
As a result, another review hearing was scheduled for Sept. 14.
Vannieuwenhoven did not participate in the hearing because he was hospitalized earlier Wednesday, according to his attorney, Lee Schuchart.
The murders of Schuldes and Matheys were unsolved for more than four decades. Last year, a DNA sample from evidence at the crime scene was determined to be from a particular family. After samples tested from Vannieuwenhoven’s brothers weren’t a match, a sample from him – obtained from a licked envelope for a survey on police performance filled out by Raymand, according to the complaint.
Vannieuwenhoven also allegedly sexually assaulted Matheys – and DNA from evidence from the assault was eventually used to tie him to the crime scene. However, the sexual assault charge was dismissed because the statute of limitations has expired. There is no statute of limitation on homicide charges.
