Bail was set at $2.5 million for a 67 year old Southern Door County man accused of attempted murder in connection with a stabbing early Tuesday morning. Judge D. Todd Ehlers set the bail in the case of Town of Gardner resident John Michael Vaniten who allegedly stabbed his 67 year old wife at their home in the Little Sturgeon area. The victim, who was seriously injured, was taken to the intensive care unit at Saint Vincent Hospital in Green Bay. She called authorities after the stabbing, at about 4:42AM, & was stabilized before her trip to Green Bay. Judge Ehlers, sitting in for presiding judge Peter Diltz, set what may be the largest bail amount in a Door county court case, after being told that Vaniten said he would kill his wife if given the chance. With members of the Door County District Attorneys office at a conference, no court complaint has been completed. However, the possible motive for the alleged assault has been called bizarre. Judge Ehlers, who scheduled Vaniten’s next court date for Monday, November 14th, also issued a no contact order involving the victim & the Green Bay hospital.
