Defendant in Bancroft standoff fit to stand trial

STEVENS POINT — A man accused of killing his wife, then barricading himself in his home has been deemed competent to stand trial.

Larry Sanchez, 58, is accused of shooting and killing Lisa Sanchez, 47, then starting an approximately four-hour standoff with police in Bancroft on June 3.

Sanchez appeared in person Monday in Portage County Circuit Court and, following testimony by a clinical psychologist who interviewed Sanchez, a judge found he has the ability to understand the court proceedings and aid in his own defense.

Sanchez claimed he was not competent to stand trial when he was questioned by the judge at the beginning of the hearing. The attorneys representing Sanchez raised the issue of his competency at a hearing in June.

Michael Galli, a clinical psychologist, testified Sanchez was able to understand the situation involving his case, including the charges against him. Sanchez did, though, have a difficult time focusing his attention during an interview, Galli said.

“He was certainly anxious and worried about the procedures he was facing,” Galli said.

Sanchez told Galli about issues he claims to have with his memory — at one point, he told Galli he thinks he has Alzheimer’s disease — but was able to generally recall the events that led to his arrest, Galli said.

Sanchez made statements during his interview with Galli that indicated he thought his wife was still alive, but later acknowledged her death, Galli said.

“He made it clear to me that he understood his wife had been shot and killed, and that he was the one charged with doing that,” Galli said.

Sanchez is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree reckless homicide, homicide by intoxicated use of a weapon and failure to comply with an officer’s attempt to take him into custody. He is being held on a $1 million bond.

Sanchez is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing Sept. 21.

Chris Mueller can be reached at 715-345-2251 or cmueller@stevenspointjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter as @AtChrisMueller .