STEVENS POINT, Wis. (WSAU) — A man already in prison for one murder will have his trial for another murder case delayed.
56-year-old Joseph Reinwand is already serving time for the death of Dale Meister in his home. Reinwand was convicted in Wood County of shooting his daughter’s ex-boyfriend in February of 2008.
While that case was progressing, Portage County reopened the death investigation of Reinwand’s then-19-year-old wife Pamela Reinwand from back in 1984. Pamela’s death was ruled a suicide from a single gunshot wound to the head. Police exhumed her body, re-examined evidence, and charged Joseph Reinwand with killing his wife.
One of Pamela’s cousins had told police Pamela was not suicidal and excited to be a new mom to then six-month-old Jolynn. Police also had another tip in 2008 plus new evidence from the Meister death investigation that prompted them to reopen Pamela Reinwand’s death investigation.
Attorney Jeffrey Jazgar was assigned to defend Joseph Reinwand in March of this year. Joseph Reinwand had requested another attorney, but changed his mind Friday, and will allow Jazgar to represent him.
Portage County Judge Thomas Flugaur agreed wtih Jazgar’s motion to continue, acknowledging the defense must examine 6,614 pages of information and evidence before assembling a witness list. Flugaur called off the October 26th trial and instructed the attorneys to discuss new trial dates in the near future.
The court also reviewed several other motions Reinwand’s defense filed, but did not act upon them Friday. Jazgar is asking the court to bar any psychiatric evidence, evidence of defendant’s intoxication or blackouts, and to admit evidence of Pamela’s character. Those motions may be decided by Flugaur September 25th.
