Competency exam ordered for double-homicide suspect

A competency exam has been ordered for a Little Suamico man accused of shooting his mother and her husband to death in October.

David W. Steinmetz, 28, is charged with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide and possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a felony, in connection with the Oct. 1 deaths of Paul Brennan, 75, and his wife, Lori (Steinmetz) Brennan, 55. He is being held in the Oconto County Jail in lieu of $1 million cash bail.

A neighbor discovered the couple’s bodies with multiple gunshot wounds outside their home on Melissa Boulevard on the morning of Oct. 2. The investigation determined that the shootings had occurred the previous afternoon, according to the criminal complaint.

After he was arrested, Steinmetz told an investigator “a voice kept telling him that he had to take a life or his life would be taken,” the complaint said. “David stated that he had feelings that if he didn’t take his mom’s life, someone is going to take out more of his family … David stated it was like, ‘Take out one life to save 15 other lives.’”

During a brief appearance in Oconto County Circuit Court on Jan. 12, defense attorney Jevon Jaconi asked for a psychological exam as to whether Steinmetz is competent to proceed and assist in his own defense. District Attorney Hannah Schuchart said she had no objection.

Judge Jay N. Conley ordered the examination and set a telephone scheduling conference for Feb. 28.