Waukesha — The Waukesha County Jail inmate who was shot and wounded Nov. 6 after he attacked a sheriff's deputy at Waukesha Memorial Hospital has been in a medically induced coma at the hospital, according to court documents filed by his attorney.
Steven P. Lettenberger, 44, of Waukesha was rushed to the hospital's emergency room and into surgery after he was shot while attacking the deputy with a sharp instrument.
Lettenberger's attorney, Alex Flynn, states in documents filed in Waukesha County Circuit Court that he has tried to meet with his client but was told by a law enforcement officer that any meeting would be fruitless because Lettenberger is in a medically induced coma.
During a second attempt to meet with Lettenberger, Flynn was told by a hospital social worker that he would need approval from Waukesha police to see Lettenberger, a letter filed by Flynn in court says.
Lettenberger was shot in the upper torso about 3 p.m. by a 51-year-old deputy during an altercation, the Sheriff's Department has said.
Both the Sheriff's Department and the Waukesha Police Department, which is investigating the incident, have declined to say whether Lettenberger was shot more than one time. They also have declined to release the name of the deputy who shot Lettenberger.
The inmate had been checked into the hospital through the emergency room and then taken to the fifth floor, a general medical unit at the facility, for treatment sometime prior to Nov. 6. He was under guard when the attack occurred.
According to online court records, Lettenberger was charged in Waukesha County in August with bail jumping, being armed with a firearm while intoxicated and carrying a concealed weapon.
After he was unable to see Lettenberger, Flynn this week filed writs in Waukesha County Circuit Court that asked a judge to grant Flynn access to Lettenberger and prohibit authorities from questioning Lettenberger without an attorney present.
A judge granted that request but also is giving the Waukesha County district attorney's office an opportunity to respond to Flynn's requests.
A hearing is scheduled for Tuesday.