Gardner Man Ordered To 25 Years In Institution For Stabbing Wife

A Town of Gardner man accused of stabbing his wife will not go to prison but instead will spend 25 years in institutional care.

That was the decision handed down Friday by Judge Peter Diltz to 68-year-old John Van Iten at a plea hearing in Door County Court.

Van Iten first pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted first degree intentional homicide. Then, in accordance with a psychologist's report, he was found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.

The criminal complaint says Van Iten stabbed his wife Theresa November 1 "because God told him to." 

The incident occurred the as the two were preparing to leave Door County for their winter home in Texas.