Jury finds Schmidt guilty on three counts

APPLETON - A verdict has been reached for a former Appleton firefighter.

A jury found Scott Schmidt guilty on three counts, including first-degree intentional homicide, reckless endangerment and felony bail jumping.

Schmidt was being tried for intentionally killing his estranged wife, Kelly Wing Schmidt, and the attempted homicide of her mother, Barbara Wing, last April in Grand Chute.

After unexpectedly taking the stand to tell his story Tuesday, Scott Schmidt was cross-examined by Outagamie County District Attorney Carrie Schneider Wednesday.

Schmidt was questioned by Schneider about what he recalls. He said he was following his wife out the door and heard the gun go off. He doesn't remember shooting her.

"I can't remember shooting four times," said Schmidt. "I've stated that previously. I'm not sure what happened. I didn't realize I had the gun in my hand. I didn't aim."

Schneider then recalled two police officers to the stand, and the testimony from the witnesses did not match Schmidt's testimony of certain events.

During the ending of direct examination, Schmidt was asked about letters he wrote to his children, which he described as suicide notes.

Schmidt was very emotional Tuesday as he spoke about his last conversation with his wife. He says he doesn't recall shooting Barbara Wing and put the gun to his head after he shot his wife.

"Did you intend to kill your wife?" his attorney Greg Petit asked. "No, I did not," Schmidt answered. "Did you intend to kill your mother-in-law?" Petit questioned. "No, I did not, Barb," Schmidt said looking directly at Wing.

His defense was seeking lesser charges of reckless homicide, while the prosecution was seeking first degree intentional homicide.