APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A Fox Valley man has been found guilty of killing his two children and is facing back-to-back life sentences without parole.
Matthew Beyer, 38, was convicted of two counts of first-degree intentional homicide for killing his 5-year-old son William and 3-year-old daughter Danielle. According to the autopsies, the children suffered multiple “sharp force” injuries.
They were found dead in their Kaukauna home on Feb. 17, 2020. The children’s mother, Melissa Schuth, called police to report their deaths.
“You took away everything a mother dreams of being in watching their kids grow up,” said Schuth in court Tuesday.
Closing arguments began Tuesday morning.
“If you can paint a picture that shows someone other than Matt in that scene, in the center of that picture, then you have reasonable doubt,” said Defense Attorney Amanda Skorr.
Beyer initially denied being at the scene, but later admitted that he was at the house.
“Our burden is to prove to all of you beyond a reasonable doubt that this defendant killed those two sweet kids — his children,” said Outagamie County District Attorney Melinda Tempelis.
Beyer’s defense team blamed a different man for the murders, as the Kaukauna father has denied killing the children.
“We don’t know what the DNA experts would’ve found,” argued Skorr. “Would they have found blood? Would they have found DNA?”
But the prosecution said one of Beyer’s motives was that he wanted to stop paying child support.
“The defendant did not like having to pay $132 each and every week, taken out of his paycheck before he even saw it.”
Beyer chose not to testify during the trial.
“He stabs that sweet little face five times, five and she slowly starts to bleed out,” said Tempelis.
The jury found him guilty of both counts of first-degree intentional homicide. Each homicide count carries a mandatory life prison term, with the judge deciding if or when he would be eligible for parole.
Sentencing began shortly after the verdict was reached Tuesday afternoon.
“I’ve never sent somebody to life in prison without the opportunity for extended supervision,” said Judge Mark McGinnis.
But that changed after McGinnis sentenced Beyer.
“I’m convinced that you are a ruthless killer, without any remorse, without any sympathy, without any feelings of hurt or shame or embarrassment, and that you killed your own two kids,” the judge said.
Following the jury’s verdict, Kaukauna Mayor Tony Penterman released the following statement:
“For just over 1,000 days, this black cloud has hung over our community. With the jury’s guilty verdict today, the sun can begin to shine again and as a community, we can begin to heal. And we can finally celebrate that justice has been served for Will and Dani.”
Beyer is already serving a five-year prison term for trying to escape from the jail after he was arrested.
