Wausau Woman Pleads Not Guilty by Reason of Mental Disease or Defect in Knife Incident
Wausau woman Michelle Imig, facing charges including attempted first-degree intentional homicide after allegedly lunging at officers with a knife during a mental health crisis, entered a plea of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect in Marathon County…
Wausau Rhinelander, WI, October 12, 2026 — In Marathon County court, Michelle Imig, a Wausau resident, has entered a plea of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. Imig is facing serious charges, including attempted first-degree intentional homicide.
The charges stem from an alleged incident where Imig is accused of lunging at law enforcement officers while reportedly experiencing a mental health crisis. The specific details regarding the date and location of this alleged incident were not provided in the summary. The nature of the mental health crisis was also not elaborated upon.
The plea of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect is a legal defense that asserts the defendant was suffering from a mental illness at the time of the offense, which prevented them from understanding the nature or wrongfulness of their actions. This plea will initiate a separate phase of legal proceedings, often involving evaluations by mental health professionals, to determine the validity of the defense.
Imig’s case is proceeding through the Marathon County court system. The specific outcome of her court appearance where the plea was entered, such as any subsequent court dates or proceedings, was not detailed in the available information. The involvement of specific law enforcement agencies or officers was also not stated.
The charge of attempted first-degree intentional homicide carries significant penalties if a defendant is found guilty. The legal process following an ‘not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect’ plea typically involves extensive examination by court-appointed or mutually agreed-upon mental health experts. These evaluations aim to provide the court with information necessary to adjudicate the plea.
Further information regarding the progression of Imig’s case, including any scheduled hearings or findings related to her mental state, is pending. The defendant’s legal representation and the prosecution’s response to the plea will be critical in shaping the next steps of the judicial process.
Story summarized from the original created by Heather Poltrock, Desiree Fischer on www.wsaw.com, see more information here.
Media gallery
