Decision Delayed On Brantner Retrial

A decision on whether a 63-year-old Kenosha man should be retried for the murder of Berit Beck will have to wait until after the holidays. The case has a new judge, Fond du Lac County Judge Robert Wirtz, who is being asked to decide if evidence is sufficient to warrant another trial for Dennis Brantner. Defense attorney Craig Powell wanted Wirtz to review the video interviews Kenosha Police and Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s investigators did with Brantner first, interviews the judge hasn’t seen yet. Powell and District Attorney Eric Toney argued whether fingerprint and other evidence presented in a June jury trial was sufficient. Toney feels it is. During Wednesday’s motion hearing Judge Wirtz said, “I’m just wondering if this is a bridge that has already been crossed,” referring to rulings Judge Gary Sharpe made during the jury trial. Toney says Judge Wirtz is considering a similar motion on the sufficiency of the evidence. Judge Wirtz will make a ruling during a Monday, January 23rd hearing. If he rules evidence was sufficient there will be a retrial.