Greenfield Man Pleads Not Guilty In Wife's Stabbing Death

GREENFIELD, WI — A Greenfield man pleaded not guilty on Friday to charges of first-degree intentional homicide in connection with the stabbing death of his wife, according to online court records.

Braeden R. Ward, 48, was charged in Milwaukee County Court with homicide, and if convicted, he could face life in prison. Ward told police that he stabbed his wife at her request in early May because she was dealing with chronic pain, and that she had been talking about suicide, according to a criminal complaint.

Ward appeared in court on Friday via video. His defense entered a not guilty plea, and he is bound over for trial, with a scheduling conference set for July 26, online court records show.

Police found 50-year-old Jamie Ward's body in a bathroom at Braeden's house in the 4700 block of Maple Leaf Circle on May 18. An autopsy found advanced decomposition and multiple stab wounds, according to a criminal complaint.

Ward told police he stabbed his wife on May 4, weeks before police found her body, according to the complaint. After police found her body, they arrested Ward after a brief standoff in Franklin, according to authorities.

Ward told police his wife had spoken about killing herself with his help about a year before her death because of chronic pain, the criminal complaint said.

SEE ALSO: Greenfield Man Charged With Homicide After Wife Found Stabbed To Death