More than 16 months after she was accused of tasering and stabbing her estranged husband, Laura Jean Wenke is finally about to start trial.
The San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe says Wenke, 50, of Los Altos, was attempting to kill Randall Wenke in the office of their Laurel Street construction company in Redwood City on Sept. 15, 2011.
Reports indicate the couple, who have a son together, were in the middle of a difficult divorce and had been separated for about a year at the time of the attack.
D.A. Wagstaffe contends Laura Wenke was upset over the fact that Randall Wenke had a new girlfriend, and drove to their Redwood City construction business. There, she purposely parked her car to block the view through the office window where Randall was sitting at the computer, the D.A. said.
Laura reportedly sneaked up behind her husband while he was at the computer, pulled out a stun gun and tasered him, and then stabbed him repeatedly in the chest and neck.
At the time, she was swathed in bubble wrap underneath a mechanic's jumpsuit—presumably to fend off any counter-attack—she'd intended to harm him, the D.A. said.
It is unclear how the Redwood City Police Department learned about the attack, but reports indicate that when officers arrived at the scene, Laura was still on the premises, and Randall was found still alive, suffering from his injuries. He was transported to the hospital, where he was treated for several days and then released.
It was later learned that the victim had a $2-million life insurance policy, for which Laura Wenke was still listed as the beneficiary.
After being delayed three times, the jury trial is finally set to begin on Feb. 25 in San Mateo County Superior Court.
Wenke previously pleaded not guilty to all charges, which include attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and other offenses.
The San Mateo County District Attorney's Office indicated this week it is pursuing life in prison for Wenke, who has been in custody without bail since the attack.
