Court finds Helmbrecht competent in murder case

EAU CLAIRE — Shane Helmbrecht has been found competent to stand trial after a two-day hearing.

Helmbrecht, 52, Eau Claire, faces a single count of first degree intentional homicide in the death of his neighbor, Jenny Ward, in 2016. He told police he was hearing voices, which began the multi-year fight over whether he could be tried.

State and federal law require defendants to be able to assist in their defense and understand the charges.

Both judges and psychologists have split repeatedly on whether Helmbrecht met those requirements.

The court initially suspended the case in 2016, finding Helmbrecht was not able to assist in his defense. The judge ordered him to be committed for treatment in a bid to restore his competency. He found that had happened in February 2017.

Three months later, a different judge decided otherwise and ruled he was “not likely to become competent.” In January 2018 the court formally committed Helmbrecht to the Winnebago Mental Health Institute, and later moved to Hollister House in Tomah.

Last year prosecutors sought a new evaluation. They cited the lack of restrictions on Helmbrecht’s movements, that he could come and go from the facility as he wished, and that he obtained a Wisconsin driver’s license in 2021 as evidence he may be able “to function at least somewhat independently in society.”

The evaluation was filed under seal in July 2023. Two months later the court scheduled his arraignment and Helmbrecht disappeared.

Authorities issued a national alert and police in New Mexico found Helmbrecht. There was no arrest warrant, though, and they had no cause to hold him. He was released and promptly disappeared again.

The Wisconsin court issued an order for Helmbrecht to return within 48 hours and, when he didn’t, issued a warrant. That warrant was ultimately fulfilled in Mexico, where the FBI discovered Helmbrecht.

Since his return to the United States, Helmbrecht has been held in the Eau Claire County Jail on a $1 million bond.

Barring appeal, the next step in the case is Helmbrecht’s arraignment. That’s the hearing at which a defendant is formally told the charges and asked to enter a plea. It is set for Nov. 12 and will take about a half-hour.