New Judge Takes Over 1982 Cold Case Murder

A judge from Marathon County will handle the first-degree intentional homicide case against a man accused of killing his wife in 1982.  Robin Mendez hasn’t entered a plea yet, but he did exercise his right to have Oneida County Circuit Judge Leon Stanz removed. Judge Jill Falstad from Wausau was appointed in his place.  Investigators say the suspect’s exact location hasn’t been accounted for as the time Barbara Mendez was killed. Forensic evidence shows she was beaten severely, suffering several blows to the head.  Police say her assailant may have used a pry bar to kill her.