A Fond du Lac judge has rejected a motion to dismiss first degree murder charges against an over the road trucker from Kenosha. Judge Robert Wirtz issued his oral ruling Monday regarding a motion filed on behalf of Dennis Brantner who is charged in the 1990 death of Berit Beck in Fond du lac County. District attorney Eric Toney says the state plans to ask for a retrial. “We thought the judge made the ruling we were hoping for and anticipating based on the evidence that was presented at trial and the appropriate legal standards,” Toney said. “The judge made his ruling and we’re allowed to proceed with another trial and that’s the intent the state has.” Brantner’s attorney Craig Powell says he was disappointed with the judge’s decision. “Not suprised but disappointed, Powell told WFDL news. “We feel like Judge (Gary) Sharpe would have granted that motion had he remained on the case. But it is what it is and Mr. Brantner will move forward.” Following the ruling Powell announced that he was stepping down as Bratner’s attorney. A mistrial was declared last summer after jurors told the judge they could not reach a unanimous verdict. Wirtz was assigned to the case after Judge Gary Sharpe stepped down after he made comments about the case shortly after declaring mistrial last summer.
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