Jordan Peters, 19, is accused of fatally stabbing a 39-year-old woman in Clintonville on Sept. 4, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online
WAUPACA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Despite an agreement by the defense and prosecutor that Jordan Peters could be found not guilty by reason of mental disease for killing his mother, a judge ordered another psychiatric evaluation Thursday.
Peters, 20, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide for the Sept. 4 murder of Angela Zahn in Clintonville. Peters pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, which means he contends he couldn’t discern right from wrong at the time of the crime.
In court Thursday, both District Attorney Kat Turner and defense attorney Alex Gelhaar agreed to stipulate to a psychiatrist’s report that Peters could be found not guilty by mental disease. Gelhaar said Peters was prepared to enter a plea admitting to the crime and then proceeding with the not guilty by mental disease finding.
However, due to the nature of the homicide charge, Judge Vicki Clussman said she wants a second opinion.
“I just think because of how serious this case is, that it’s important for the court, at least, to be convinced of the finding. So, the court is going to, on its own, order that there be a second evaluation of Mr. Peters for the purpose of determining whether or not he is not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect,” the judge said.
No future court date was set, as it will depend on when the second report is completed.
According to the criminal complaint, after Zahn was stabbed, she identified her attacker as Peters.
“He hates me,” she told police, the complaint states. Peters’ explanation to police cited their past history.
“During the interview when asked about what happened Jordan stated “I guess I got really angry and was thinking about the past and got to that breaking point and just stabbed her”. Officers asked Jordan why he had the knife with him today and Jordan stated “because I had plans to hurt [Zahn].” Jordan went on to tell investigators that he had wanted to kill (Zahn) for the last year and had begun planning it over the last week,” the complaint states.
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