A plea of not guilty by mental disease or defect has been entered for a 67 year-old southern Door County man accused of attempting to stab his wife to death at their Town of Nasewaupee home on November 1st. John Van Iten is charged with attempted first degree intentional homicide. He told investigators that God told him to stab his 67year-old wife, Theresa, and he carried out the plan just as the couple was about to leave for their home in Texas. He showed no remorse at the time of his arrest and indicated that he would finish the job if given the opportunity to do so. During a hearing before Judge Peter Diltz Monday, Van Iten’s attorney Steven Richard and assistant District Attorney Joan Korb indicated that they would meet to settle on a psychiatrist to do a pre-trial evaluation. If the two sides can’t reach agreement, Judge Diltz will select the individual to do the assessment. Van Iten remains in the Door County Jail pending scheduling of a trail date.
