St. Paul man charged in wife's death to remain held at Regions Hospital

Last update: November 9, 2009 - 9:52 PM

A Ramsey County district judge ruled Monday that Gerald Wassenaar, 67, who is charged in the Nov. 2 death of his wife, Jean, can continue to be held at Regions Hospital in St. Paul.

Wassenaar was put on a 72-hour hold at Regions after St. Paul police found Jean Wassenaar's body in the couple's town house in the 1000 block of Barclay Street and Gerald Wassenaar outside. According to the charges, Gerald Wassenaar told police "I killed her," and "I did it."

District Judge Steven Wheeler granted a petition by the hospital to continue the hold, pending another hearing next Monday. If Wassenaar is found competent, he will make his first court appearance on the charge of second-degree murder.

PAT PHEIFER

Recent Local + Metro stories

Brooklyn Park fire takes hours to control - November 9, 2009

Brooklyn Park fire takes hours to control - Firefighters in Brooklyn Park needed several hours on Friday to bring a fire under control in a commercial building that contained hazardous chemicals. More