Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette Margaret Kempainen, 50, of Hartland, Wisconsin appeared via videoconference for a review hearing in 97th District Court Friday.

HOUGHTON — A Wisconsin woman has been declared competent to stand trial for the December murder of a Hancock Township man.

Margaret Kempainen, 50, of Hartland, Wisconsin appeared via videoconference for a review hearing in 97th District Court Friday. She is accused of helping to kill her father-in-law, Alvin Kempainen. The 86-year-old was found dead in his home on Dec. 19 with a gunshot wound to the head.

She is charged with homicide – open murder and conspiracy to commit open murder. If found guilty, she could be sentenced to life in prison.

She identified her son Jacob Kempainen, 20, as the shooter. He has an additional felony firearms charge.

After leaving the area, they were arrested in Iowa.

Jacob and Margaret were both referred for forensic evaluation in December.

The defense and prosecution jointly submitted a March 20 report from a forensic examiner and licensed psychologist with the Center for Forensic Psychiatry that found Margaret was competent to stand trial.

Based on the court calendar, a preliminary hearing cannot take place until the week of April 8, Judge Nicholas Daavettila said.

Houghton County Prosecutor Dan Helmer and Kempainen’s attorney, Antonio Ruiz, said they would be able to hold a probable cause conference over the phone later this week.

One of the issues to determine is whether the Kempainens will have a joint preliminary hearing.

Jacob Kempainen’s next hearing in district court is scheduled for May 3. His attorney, David Gemignani, said he has yet to receive a psychiatric report back, but is expecting one soon.