Jury Dismissed In FDL County Murder Case They Could Not Reach A Verdict

No decision by the jury in a 26 year old Fond du Lac County murder case. The jury Wednesday morning decided after 16 hours of deliberation it couldn’t reach a verdict on whether Dennis Brantner killed Berit Beck in the Fond du Lac area in the summer of 1990. Brantner’s lawyer Craig Powel says he would have preferred an innocent verdict, but his client survived this challenge. Dan Miller the pastor of Racine Bible Church, the Beck family’s church, says they appreciated the efforts of those trying to get justice for Berit. A status conference will be scheduled. District Attorney Eric Toney says whether they have another trial for Dennis Brantner remains to be seen, but all interested parties will have a say on it. Brantner remains in the County Jail on a $1 million cash bond. Judge Gary Sharpe said during a smoke break one of the bailiffs learned a jury member was taken to the emergency room Tuesday night and left the hospital against medical advice.


Facebook Video of Press Conference with DA Eric Toney and Pastor Dan Miller.


Podcast of Press Conference with DA Eric Toney and Pastor Dan Miller


Brantner Defense Attorney Craig Powell

Brantner Trial Took Its Toll

A nearly three week Fond du Lac County jury trial for a Kenosha man suspected of killing 18-year-old Berit Beck is over. Wednesday the jury in the Dennis Brantner trial was dismissed after it couldn’t reach a verdict. His lawyer, Craig Powell, feels evidence that’s gone missing since 1990 could have gotten his client exonerated. Some jurors shed tears as they were being dismissed. District Attorney Eric Toney says the jury was diligent in its deliberations. Powell says Brantner’s health has declined since he was first accused of the crime two years ago. Meanwhile the Beck family has endured more than a quarter century. The pastor of their church, Dan Miller, says their faith has been unwavering. Brantner remains in the County Jail on a $1 million cash bond. He will be sentenced on drug possession charges July 12th and a status conference will be scheduled on his murder charge.