MILWAUKEE — A man charged with savagely beating a 99-year-old woman who waited several hours for help in Milwaukee is pursuing an insanity plea.
Joseph Macias pled not guilty by reason of insanity or mental defect in court on Monday, Aug. 17. He faces three felony charges of battery, first-degree reckless injury and burglary — all with increased penalty modifiers for harm to an elder person — for the attack on the south side of Milwaukee that nearly killed the victim.
Macias originally pled not guilty and was bound for trial earlier this month. Now a judge has ordered a doctor’s evaluation for Macias due on Oct. 1.
Prosecutors say Macias broke into the woman’s home and immediately began kicking and punching her on July 27. The woman suffered broken bones, cuts and bruises, and had difficulty speaking during a 911 call.
The case is also under investigation by the city Department of Emergency Communications, after the victim waited three hours for help to arrive after two 911 calls — an initial call from the woman’s personal medical alert system, and a second call directly from the victim herself.
A hearing is scheduled to discuss the emergency response at Milwaukee City Hall next month.
