SPARTA, Wis. – A Sparta man was charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the death of his step-grandfather after being told he wasn’t welcome to stay at the old man’s house any longer. Bond for Thomas Wayne Aspseter,36, was set at $1 million by Judge Todd Ziegler. The judge scheduled Aspseter’s next court date for July 2. Killed was 87-year-old Bernard Waite of Sparta. The death was June 6. Aspseter also was charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide and, in addition, two counts of aggravated battery with intent to cause bodily harm for attacks in the house on a 76-year-old man and 73-year-old woman. Both were attacked by an axe, according to the criminal complaint. The woman survived the attack. The man remains hospitalized. The couple are from Exeland, 140 miles away in northern Wisconsin. They had been out-of-town with the step-grandfather for a family event. This, according to the criminal complaint, is what happened:
> Aspseter had been staying at his step-grandfather’s house, on Icarus Road west of Sparta, but the old man didn’t want him there anymore and bought him a bus ticket to leave.
> The step-grandfather and two relatives left for a family event in Waukesha, 170 miles away.
> Aspseter used a crowbar get into the step-grandfather’s house.
> When the three returned from Waukesha the morning of June 6, they found Aspseter inside. The step-grandfather was upset and told Aspseter to gather his belongings and leave.
> Hearing a bang, the woman and man, who had been waiting outside, ran into the house.
> Aspseter emerged swinging an axe and struck the man. The woman screamed at Aspseter to stop. He swung the axe again and struck her in the arm. The woman ran across the road to a neighbor for help.
> Aspseter shot himself in the throat with a .22-caliber rifle.
> Although wounded, Aspseter made a brief 911 call, said he was “crazy,” and admitted killing his step-grandfather.
> Police arrived and found Aspseter holding a rifle. He put the rifle down and surrendered.
The woman told police she had warned the step-grandfather that he wasn’t safe with Aspseter staying there.
Aspseter. Charged with intentional homicide,. Also two counts of aggravated battery with intent to cause bodily harm.