Man Charged in Brittany Zimmermann Murder Ruled Competent to Stand Trial

Kahl Ruled Fit to Stand Trial

Marshfield (OnFocus) – In March 2021, a Dane County judge ordered a competency examination for David Kahl, the man charged with killing Marshfield native Brittany Zimmermann while she was a student at University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2008. After further review and discussion, a Dane County judge ruled Thursday that Kahl is fit to stand trial.

Kahl’s attorneys Helland and Gonring filed for a competency evaluation after Kahl experienced recent medical episodes, the nature of which has not been disclosed. His attorneys claimed that because of these episodes, Kahl may not have the ability to assist in his own defense.

Kahl was charged last year with with first-degree intentional homicide (a Class A Felony) in the April 2, 2008 killing of Zimmermann. He is currently incarcerated at the Oshkosh Correctional Institution for a different crime (a seventh-offense drunken driving conviction in Dane County), and is required to stay there until November 2021. If he is able to post bond, he will be required to remain on 24-hour GPS monitoring.

According to the criminal complaint, Kahl was going door-to-door collecting money to buy crack cocaine by telling people he needed money to repair a tire on his car. DNA evidence and a letter written by a fellow inmate ultimately connected Kahl to the Zimmermann case.

Zimmermann was majoring in Medical Microbiology and Immunology and lived with her fiancée and their three cats in the 500 block of West Doty Street at the time of her murder. Each year, Marshfield Area Pet Shelter holds a memorial run/dog walk called “Paws for Brittany” in her memory and to commemorate her love of animals.

A preliminary hearing was set for 7-15-21 at 1pm.

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