OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A hearing to determine if Erik Metzig should be allowed to withdraw his no contest pleas for killing his parents was postponed Wednesday after his attorney had to leave the case.
Metzig, 27, was convicted in August for the March 18, 2023 deaths of David and Jan Metzig, but sentencing has not happened. He faces life in prison for each count.
His attorney, Timothy Hogan, had filed a motion asking to withdraw the pleas, saying evidence of his being a sexual assault victim should be considered a new factor that a jury should be able to consider
However, after reviewing the evidence in the state’s reply, Hogan told the court he has a conflict of interest, and can no longer represent Metzig.
Judge Michael Gibbs agreed, and relieved him from the case.
Another attorney has been appointed, and will be given time to review the case. A status conference will be held May 29. At that time, a determination will be made if Metzig will proceed with effort to withdraw the plea.
Police were called to the home around 5:15 a.m., where the dead couple was discovered. Police found the bodies in the bedroom, covered in blankets, with apparent gunshot wounds to the head, the criminal complaint states.
According to their obituary, David and Jan Metzig were third-generation owners of Union Star Cheese Factory near Fremont.
