The judge presiding over the trial in the case of Berit Beck's 1990 murder removed himself from the case Tuesday.
Fond du Lac Judge Gary Sharpe recused himself from the case of Dennis Brantner, accused of murdering Beck.
Judge Gary Sharpe is recusing himself from Dennis Brantner's case because of comments he made to Jury after hung jury in case.
— Marisa DeCandido (@MarisaNBC26) September 13, 2016
Brantner was charged with first degree homicide for the crime after his fingerprints were found on Beck's vehicle.
Judge Sharpe removed himself after prosecutors learned of comments he made to jurors in that trial after the jurors were dismissed.
Sharpe said he saw jurors who were upset after the trial ended and told them he was sorry they had to go through such a difficult ordeal. He also said he told jurors that if the court had the courage to dismiss the case, the jury would not have had to go through the trial.
Sharpe said he doesn't believe he has a bias in the case, but his comments may force some to question whether or not he could preside impartially.
Sharpe also said he did not believe the state had sufficient evidence against Brantner.
A new judge will be appointed to the case, and that judge will determine if there will be a re-trial for Brantner, or if the case will be dismissed altogether.
