Man accused in 2016 Eau Claire homicide undergoes mental fitness evaluation

EAU CLAIRE (WKBT) -- The man accused of a 2016 homicide is back in court.

Friday an Eau Claire County judge will determine if 52-year-old Shane Helmbrecht is mentally fit to stand trial.

Helmbrecht was accused of shooting his neighbor to death in 2016.

He was originally found not competent to stand trial and the case was dismissed.

Last October a judge issued a nationwide arrest warrant for Helmbrecht after he disappeared from his residence in Tomah.

Upon his return to Eau Claire Helmbrecht was ordered to complete an inpatient competency exam.

If Helmbrecht is found competent to stand trial, the prosecution could choose to re-file charges against him.

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