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Brothers appear in court on stabbings
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DODGEVILLE — Two brothers from Spring Green facing more than 100 years in prison each on charges stemming from a Halloween party fight in Arena Oct. 28 made their first appearances in Iowa County Circuit Court Wednesday.

Brandon Behrens, 21, is charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide while armed with a dangerous weapon, strangulation, and substantial battery while armed with a dangerous weapon. Shane Behrens, 20, is charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide while armed with a dangerous weapon, substantial battery, substantial battery while armed with a dangerous weapon, and recklessly endangering safety while armed with a dangerous weapon. Both also are being charged with party to reckless injury while armed with a dangerous weapon.

Shane Behrens faces maximum sentences of 121 years in prison on his charges, and Brandon Behrens faces maximum sentences of 101 years in prison on his charges.

Each is out on $5,000 bond. Their bond includes conditions of no contact with the alleged victims, absolute sobriety, and no possession of controlled substances without a prescription. They are also banned from possessing dangerous weapons.

The brothers’ next court appearance is set for Sept. 11 at 2 p.m.

The charges stem from two alleged fights involving the brothers at a Halloween party in the Town of Arena Oct. 27–28. According to the criminal complaint, two men received long stab wounds, including one of the hosts of the party. The host of the party also told authorities he had been in a chokehold placed by Brandon Behrens, and that the Behrens car hit him in the head as they left the party. The girlfriend of the second stabbing victim was punched in the face, receiving facial fractures.

The second stabbing victim told authorities he had gotten into a verbal altercation with Brandon Behrens at the party, and then Shane Behrens stabbed him three times. A third victim reported being stabbed a total of six times in the back, arm and stomach.

Brandon Behrens told authorities he was hit by “multiple people” and that the host of the party pulled Shane Behrens out of a moving car as they tried to leave. Shane Behrens told authorities he “has never been scared in a fight, but he was scared and fighting for his life against 15 grown men.”

A state assistant attorney general will prosecute the case for Iowa County.