'Unbelievable situation:' Greenfield man charged in 2019 homicide released into community, will face new competency hearing

GREENFIELD, Wis. (CBS 58) -- It's been six years, but City of Greenfield Mayor Michael Neitzke can still recall a horrific scene he witnessed first-hand.

“I remember seeing a gentleman lying on the terrace, with our paramedics feverishly working him to try and save him," Neitzke told CBS 58's Ellie Nakamoto-White. "It was a block and a half away."

That scene was the brutal murder of 49-year-old Ben Christianson of Madison, who had been in the area taking soil samples for work when his throat was cut in a random and deadly attack. 

Prosecutors charged then-19-year-old Amando Lang with first degree intentional homicide, but Lang later pleaded not guilty and was found incompetent to stand trial.

That was in 2019.

But on Sunday, June 15, Greenfield police officers responded to a mental health crisis for a man having an adverse reaction to his medication.

That's when they were informed the man in question was Lang, who said he lives in a "not secure" group home on the south side of Milwaukee that allows him to "come and go" as he pleases, as long as he has taken his medication.

“Four days later, I’m still extremely upset that someone like this, who took the life of another in such a violent manner and was charged with first-degree homicide, is wandering around the community," Neitzke said. "It should concern all of us that this is happening. It seems to be a major loophole in the system.”

The mayor added that he has heard from multiple constituents, who reportedly said they were "shocked" Lang was out in their community.

Several officials and agencies, including Mayor Neitzke, the Greenfield Police Department, and the district attorney's office, said they were unaware Lang was out, and all discovered the situation earlier this week. 

Now, they're asking the question: How did this happen?

Deputy District Attorney Sara Sadowski said her office would have typically received a two-week notice before someone's release, however, with Lang, that was not the case.

Wisconsin State Representative Bob Donovan called the situation "unbelievable."

"He’s been allowed to apparently roam the streets at will, little or no restrictions," Rep. Donovan said. “When government drops the ball, the citizens ought to know.”

The representative added that if something needs to change in legislation so this doesn't continue happening, he will help lead the charge.

"If there’s anything that needs to be done, if we need to light a fire under a particular state agency, I am more than willing to do that to ensure that this never happens again," Rep. Donovan said. “We need to get to the bottom of it."

Now the state has requested a competency hearing for Monday, June 23.

If Lang is deemed competent, Sadowski said officials would pursue criminal charges for Christianson's death.

But if he is not found to be competent again, Sadowski noted Lang would be released back into the community again.

Eric Lindstrom, Greenfield's acting chief of police, sent CBS 58 this statement which reads in full:

"This is a rare but deeply serious matter that demands our full attention. Mr. Lang has already shown a disturbing willingness to commit an unprovoked act of extreme violence. My concern stems solely from a desire to protect our community. Allowing him to walk freely among us does not foster a sense of safety or security. Anyone capable of carrying out such a brutal attack should not be granted the same freedoms as law abiding citizens. For the well-being of our community, I strongly urge that appropriate measures be taken to ensure he does not pose a continued threat."