Competency raised in group home sexual assault case
Aug. 18—EAU CLAIRE — The issue of competency has been raised for the Eau Claire group home resident who police say fondled three other residents of the same home earlier this summer.
Defense attorney Zebulon Patek questioned Dan J. Brinkman's competency to assist with his defense during Brinkman's initial appearance this week in Eau Claire County Court.
As a result, Judge Emily Long ordered a competency examination by a psychiatrist or psychologist and scheduled a competency hearing for Sept. 21.
A $2,000 signature bond was also set for Brinkman at his initial appearance. A condition of the bond prohibits Brinkman from having contact with the three residents.
Brinkman, 66, is charged with three misdemeanor counts of fourth-degree sexual assault.
According to the criminal complaint:
An Eau Claire police officer was sent to a group home on the city's south side on June 29 after a resident said he was touched inappropriately by another resident. Staff at the group home was aware of the issue and requested police response.
The resident told the officer he was in the living room of the residence on June 25 and was talking with Brinkman, who then started touching and fondling him over his clothing.
This continued for about 10 minutes and the resident said he had told Brinkman to stop. The resident said he felt very uncomfortable and was scared.
Police were again called to the group home on July 11 after two other residents said Brinkman cornered and fondled them a day earlier while staff were occupied elsewhere in the group home.
One of the residents said he was scared and upset that he went to the back door of the home to try to get away from Brinkman.
The resident said this was at least the second time Brinkman had done this to him.
The other resident was in the same part of the house when Brinkman did the same thing to him.
Brinkman told police he never touched anyone at the group home and that he thinks people are out to get him.
An officer asked Brinkman why all three residents would have a similar description of what had occurred. Brinkman said he did not know why they would all accuse him of similar conduct, but he maintained he had not fondled anyone.
