Wisconsin Rapids Man Charged in Cold Case Found Competent to Stand Trial

Monday, July 10th, 2023 -- 3:01 PM

(Heather Poltrock, WSAW) The Wisconsin Rapids man recently charged in a cold case has been found competent for a trial to be held.

Donald Maier is charged with stabbing Benny Scruggs to death. Scruggs’ body was found in his bed in his home on July 17, 1985 by his wife. In court Friday, the results of a competency hearing were released.

Maier, 61, stated he was competent and the court agreed. When police arrived at the scene in 1985, Benny Scruggs’ wife, Yvonne said she and Benny had been out that night. After returning home, Benny went to bed, but she could not sleep.

Yvonne, who was 21 at the time, said the couple’s son started to cry so she went to console him in his room. Yvonne told police she got an uneasy feeling. She said she left the boy’s room only to find the trailer door open and Benny in a pool of blood.

An autopsy showed Benny Scruggs was likely stabbed while he slept as he had no defensive wounds. The knife has never been recovered.

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