Exam ordered for man accused in Wis. killings

DARLINGTON, Wis. (AP) — A 31-year-old man accused of killing three people in Lafayette County will be examined to determine if he’s competent to stand trial.

Dane County Circuit Judge William Foust ordered Jaren Kuester to be re-examined Friday after he wouldn’t answer questions about whether he understood the court proceedings.

The Wisconsin State Journal reports before the hearing, prosecutors and the defense attorneys reached an agreement that may have led to him being committed to a mental institution for the rest of his life.

Kuester faces five felonies, including three counts of first-degree intentional homicide, in the deaths of Gary and Chloe Thoreson and Gary Thoreson’s brother, Dean Thoreson on April 27.

Kuester was found competent to stand trial during a July 1 hearing. Another competency hearing is set for Oct. 15.