Sentencing of 18-Year-Old Involved in Stabbing Incident Near Neillsville Postponed
Friday, January 22nd, 2016 -- 12:57 PM
-The sentencing of an 18-year-old involved in a stabbing incident near Neillsville has been postponed.Back in April of 2015, 18-year-old Mathew Gebhardt, who was 17 at the time, stabbed a 27-year-old who stopped by a home, with Gebhardt's sister, on State Highway 95 in the Town of Levis where Gebhardt was at the time. Gebhardt's sister and the 27-year-old victim were going on a trip. Gebhardt and his sister took a shot and then she punched him in the face, which he agreed to in order to get his sister to take the shot. Gebhardt's girlfriend got upset by this and got in a fight with his sister. Gebhardt tried to intervene, but the 27-year-old grabbed him and pulled him away by the neck. This is when Gebhardt drew a pocket knife and stabbed the 27-year-old because he said he couldn't breathe and he was scared.
Back in November, Gebhardt was found guilty, due to a no contest plea, of 2nd degree intentional homicide. He was scheduled for sentencing today, but instead, he told the judge that he wanted a new attorney. He wrote a letter at the beginning of the month stating that he wanted to withdraw his plea and fire his attorney. His attorney talked to him, and after clearing up some confusion about the charge against him, he was going to proceed. But, just two days ago, he changed his mind again and said he would be willing to do the sentencing without withdrawing his plea, but he still wanted a new attorney. The judge did agree to this and a new attorney will be assigned to Gebhardt. From there, the judge will decide if Gebhardt can withdraw his plea or if they will have to proceed with sentencing. Gebhardt will be back in court in February.
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