Renel hearing delayed due to competency exam

Aaron Renel’s adjourned initial appearance was pushed back to June 13 as the Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court is waiting for an exam to take place to see if the defendant is competent to stand trial.

Renel, 39, is being charged with felony count of fleeing and eluding an officer in a vehicle and second-degree recklessly endangering safety, along with a misdemeanor count of resisting or obstructing an officer in a May 8 police chase and three counts of bail jumping. He also faces charges in a separate case filed April 29 that include intentionally pointing a firearm at a person, disorderly conduct with the use of a dangerous weapon, possession of THC and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The Shawano County Sheriff’s Department responded in the late afternoon on May 8 to reports of a heavy truck-type military vehicle on the highway in western Shawano County travelling down the roadway with a flat tire, causing a traffic hazard.

Deputies located and attempted to stop the vehicle, but Renel allegedly led them on a short chase, coming to a stop in about a half-mile on the eastbound lane median of Highway 29 near County Road G in the Town of Seneca. Renel allegedly would not cooperate and would not exit the vehicle. Because of comments allegedly made by Renel and the conditions of this incident, the Shawano County Special Response Team responded to this scene.

Deputies, including trained negotiators, communicated with Renel for about four hours, but he allegedly tried to flee the scene, heading eastbound on Highway 29. Deputies tried to stop the suspect vehicle, using snowplows in an attempt to perform a moving roadblock. Renel allegedly had to be removed by force.

Circuit Court Judge William Kussel Jr. ordered Renel be held on a $10,000 cash bond May 9 and also granted a request for the competency evaluation.

During a hearing May 18, Assistant District Attorney Joseph Kaupie said there was nothing that could proceed until the evaluation was completed.

lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com