STEVENS POINT, Wis. (WSAU) — A Stevens Point man accused of arson and attempted assisted suicide is expected to reach a plea deal with prosecutors today.
19-year-old Brain Kraus is accused of starting a fire that damaged the Dollar General Store in Stevens Point last year, and with trying to help a man accused of killing his wife commit suicide.
Kraus was originally arrested May 13th of last year after police suspected him of starting a fire at the store. He told police the fire was caused by a malfunctioning microwave, but surveillance footage showed Kraus with a lighter near the back office three minutes before smoke could be seen on camera. He’s since pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect to those charges.
While in custody at the Portage County jail, deputies say he then attempted to help Larry Sanchez commit suicide. A criminal complaint says Kraus helped Sanchez attempt a hanging just days after his arrest. Sanchez is accused of killing his estranged wife in Bancroft last year and getting into a four hour standoff with police.
Today’s hearing starts at 8:30 am. Kraus remains in jail on a $25,000 cash bond.
