A competency exam has ruled that former campground owner Ann Retzlaff can stand trial and aid in her defense involving a police chase and other charges.
At a hearing Jan. 4, the report on the exam was accepted by Marathon County Circuit Court Judge Mark Moran, which means that Retzlaff’s trial should take place Jan. 23, unless something else comes up to delay the proceedings.
Defense attorney Michael Hughes said he had no objection to the conclusion reached in the report but did take exception to “the indication that Ms. Retzlaff endorsed paranoid and delusional beliefs.”
Moran noted that Retzlaff’s endorsement of those beliefs was not the determination he had to make, even though he reserved that position.
When the judge asked Retzlaff if she felt she was ready to proceed, she replied: “Yes, your honor. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here fighting the injustices of the system and human trafficking.”
The report will not be sealed, with Retzlaff, Hughes and Shawano-Menominee County District Attorney Greg Parker offering no objections.
Retzlaff has been charged in Shawano County with felony counts of fleeing and eluding officers and two counts of second-degree recklessly endangering safety, as well as a misdemeanor count of resisting or obstructing an officer from a police pursuit in May 2021. She also faces misdemeanor charges through Menominee County for resisting and failing to stop.
Retzlaff’s first failure to appear was in October 2021 as she cited illness, but when she failed to appear again a few weeks later, a bench warrant was issued, and she was arrested soon after. Retzlaff paid the bonds but missed court again in November 2021, which prompted the court to issue body-only warrants.
Retzlaff was recaptured in April 2022 in a restaurant in the Town of Wittenberg and a third case with additional charges of bail jumping and disorderly conduct was established. She paid her $15,000 bond in August 2022, and in December asked Moran for permission to leave the state for the family holiday vacation, which Moran granted.
However, at the next court hearing Jan. 12, 2023, Retzlaff was again a no-show in the courtroom, and Moran issued bench warrants that allowed for her to be arrested nationwide if located. She was arrested in Oconto County on Aug. 23, 2023, after the photo posted by the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department yielded a tip that she was in the Town of Lena. She’s facing two more felony bail-jumping charges after it was discovered she left Wisconsin for Michigan prior to her request for the family vacation.
Despite the urging of Moran to speak through her attorney, Retzlaff wanted to address a number of issues not scheduled for a hearing.
“What about bail reduction, motion to compel discovery for the Brady material, the missing 911 tapes from the Menominee County Sheriff’s Department from May 15, 2021?” Retzlaff said. “There are FOIAs (Freedom of Information Act) to that effect, and the tapes do exist, and they are not in our hands for review.”
Moran reiterated that the issues Retzlaff addressed should come through her attorney.
“I am not involved in those pre-trial matters, unless it becomes a matter for the court to have to decide,” Moran said.
Moran recommended the attorneys establish a number for the pool of jurors available as soon as possible so the trial can proceed on time. The trial is for the May 2021 charges only and does not include the charges stemming from her arrests in April 2022 and August 2023.
Parker said that for felony trials in Shawano County, 50 people are usually called for jury duty, but there is potentially a pool of 150 perspective jurors available if needed.
Moran expressed concern that the media publicity the case has received might require calling additional people for jury duty.
“I want to make sure that we have enough jurors that are available,” Moran said. “I don’t want to run out of jurors. I want to be sure that Ms. Retzlaff has a fair trial with jurors who are able to hear this case.”
Retzlaff is facing five counts of criminal slander of title and two felony bail jumping charges in Sauk County after allegedly filing false liens against representatives with Bank First and the new owner of the former Annie’s Campground, now known as On the Rocks Family Kampground.
Pre-trial motions are expected to be heard at 3 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Shawano County Courthouse.
lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com
Retzlaff deemed competent to aid in defense
