GREEN BAY, WI — A Wisconsin man faces severe legal repercussions following a violent altercation at a bar in Green Bay on Halloween. Robert Stanley Goodletson, 47, was charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide after allegedly stabbing another man inside the Hammer Inn on State Street the night of October 31.
The incident unfolded shortly before 9 p.m., when, according to police reports, officers were dispatched to the scene after receiving alerts about the stabbing. They discovered the victim, wounded and bleeding, on the sidewalk outside the establishment. He was quickly attended to by emergency personnel and transported to St. Vincent Hospital. Despite sustaining severe injuries, including multiple chest wounds and a deep head laceration, the victim remained conscious and provided valuable information to the investigating officers.
Eyewitness accounts suggest the confrontation started when Goodletson spotted the victim with his ex-wife inside the bar, leading to a visible escalation in his demeanor. The attack ensued after a heated exchange of words, culminating in Goodletson physically confronting and then stabbing the man.
Upon arresting Goodletson at the scene, police noted blood on his hands and discovered a knife sheathed on his belt, which they seized as evidence. During his interrogation, Goodletson revealed that he believed his ex-wife and the victim were having an affair, claiming that the stabbing was an act of self-defense. He also mentioned that he held a license to carry a concealed weapon.
Security footage from the venue confirmed the violent encounter, capturing Goodletson pushing the victim against a wall and subsequently stabbing him multiple times. This surveillance evidence plays a crucial role in the ongoing investigation, helping to clarify the sequence of events leading up to the stabbing.
Following his arrest, Goodletson was detained at the Brown County Jail, with bail set at $250,000. His initial court appearance has already taken place, and further legal proceedings are scheduled for November 18.
The condition of the victim, while stable, remains a concern, and investigators continue to gather his detailed account of the incident and the events leading up to it. This case highlights the tragic potential of personal disputes escalating into violence, raising questions about the implications of carrying concealed weapons and the adequacy of responses to domestic disturbances.
As the legal process continues, with a follow-up hearing pending, the community and authorities alike await further developments in a case that has shocked this quiet Wisconsin city, reminding its residents of the thin line between personal conflicts and public safety threats. The ongoing investigation promises to uncover additional details about this act of violence on what is typically a festive evening.