Like government, the legal justice system at times can move at a snail’s pace.
Take the criminal case of 23-year-old Jeffrey Gordon Gunzenhauser of Winnebago.
More than three years ago, he was charged for an early morning head-on crash that claimed the life of a Harold Elvin Renkly, 76, of Blue Earth on Oct. 31, 2020.
Gunzenhauser, who was 20 years old at the time, suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to a medical facility.
It wasn’t until May 10, 2021, that a criminal complaint was signed by Kathryn Karjala, who was the Faribault County Attorney at the time.
Karjala would resign in June and Cameron Davis would be appointed as the new county attorney and be the lead prosecutor in the case.
Several court hearings are held in upcoming months and in August 2022 the case is suspended because two competency evaluations determine Gunzenhauser is mentally unable to proceed.
Renkly’s two daughters and a son patiently wait for a conclusion of the case to provide some closure.
And, almost a year ago they thought the case was back on track when Davis filed in district court a notice of intent to resume prosecution on Aug. 21, 2023.
According to the paperwork filed, “The Faribault County Attorney’s Office, does hereby advise of its intent to resume prosecution upon a finding by the Court that the Defendant has regained competency.”
However, the notification seems to have been worded so it could be interpreted literally or legally.
“The document filed last year was to preserve the State’s right to pursue if circumstances allow me to resume prosecution,” says Davis.
Gunzenhauser faces felony charges of criminal vehicular homicide-operate a vehicle with negligence under the influence of alcohol and criminal vehicle operation-substantial bodily harm; and criminal vehicular operation-bodily harm under the influence of alcohol, a gross misdemeanor.
The following is a timeline of court proceedings that began nearly four years ago:
- His first court appearance was May 21, 2021, where conditions of release were set and an omnibus hearing was scheduled for July 26.
- Another contested omnibus hearing is scheduled on Sept. 22, but County Attorney Cameron Davis submits a request for continuance on Sept. 13 because he will be out of the office to attend prosecutor training. Judge Troy Timmerman grants the request three days later.
- Court documents show that on Sept. 21 a contested omnibus hearing would be held on Jan. 19, 2022.
- On Dec. 21, 2021, Gunzenhauser’s attorney Patrick Casey files a motion to have the court appoint an examiner to determine his client’s mental condition and competency because he believes he is not able to proceed in his own defense.
- On Jan. 6, 2022, Judge Troy Timmerman orders a competency evaluation be conducted and the results be prepared and delivered to the court no later than March 6, one day before a hearing to review the findings.
- In a letter dated March 4, the court-appointed examiner requests a continuance because of delays in receiving medical records that are imperative to the evaluation.
- Timmerman grants another continuance and the next hearing is slated to be held April 11.
- The court receives the examiner’s report on April 9 and the results are distributed to the attorneys, but Davis objects to the results and sends a letter to the court dated April 11 seeking a contested hearing with the examiner present.
- Davis’ request for a contested hearing is approved and is put on the court calendar to be held on May 13. Timmerman gives attorneys a deadline to submit written briefs and will take the matter under advisement.
- On July 12, the court appoints a second examiner to conduct another mental competency evaluation. Results are filed in court, distributed to attorneys in late July and a hearing is set for Aug. 15.
- Following the Aug. 15 hearing, the court finds Gunzenhauser is incompetent to proceed due to mental illness or cognitive impairment.
- On Aug. 19, Timmerman signs on order outlining guidelines Faribault County Human Services and Gunzenhauser must follow.