Green Bay, WI – A 47-year-old Wisconsin man has been charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide after allegedly stabbing another man inside a Green Bay bar on Halloween night, claiming the victim was “sleeping with his wife” and was “lucky that he didn’t kill him,” according to police.
The Incident: Bar Fight Turns into Violent Stabbing
The Green Bay Police Department responded to a reported stabbing at the Hammer Inn bar located in the 1200 block of State Street around 8:45 p.m. on October 31. Witnesses told officers that the victim had been attacked inside the bar before fleeing outside, with the suspect following close behind.
Upon arrival, first responders found the victim outside the establishment bleeding heavily from multiple stab wounds to the chest and a deep laceration to his head. Paramedics provided immediate medical care and transported the man to St. Vincent Hospital, where he was later able to give a statement to investigators.
“Robert Goodletson began yelling at me across the bar,” the victim told officers. “I walked over to Goodletson and he grabbed on to me. I do not remember how I got away, but I walked outside and was told I was bleeding.”
The victim told police he had been socializing with Goodletson’s ex-wife when the suspect arrived and became visibly enraged, confronting them in a fit of jealousy.
Investigation and Evidence: Surveillance Footage Confirms Attack
Officers identified the suspect as Robert Stanley Goodletson, who was later found behind the Hammer Inn and taken into custody. Police said he had blood on his hands at the time of his arrest, and a knife sheathed on his belt was recovered as evidence.
According to the criminal complaint, Goodletson admitted to the attack, telling police that he believed the victim was having an affair with his wife and insisting that “they weren’t even divorced yet.”
“[Goodletson] told us that the male victim was sleeping with his wife and that we were lucky he didn’t kill the guy,” officers wrote in the affidavit.
Surveillance video from inside the bar corroborated witness accounts, showing Goodletson spotting the victim, shouting “No f—ing way,” and then walking rapidly toward him. The footage shows Goodletson pushing the victim against a wall with one hand while stabbing him repeatedly with the other.
Police said the victim sustained multiple stab wounds to his chest, requiring urgent medical attention but is expected to survive.
Goodletson, meanwhile, reportedly tried to justify his actions, claiming he acted in self-defense, though investigators noted that video evidence directly contradicts that claim.
Court Proceedings and Charges Filed
Goodletson has been charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide with a dangerous weapon modifier, one of the most serious offenses under Wisconsin law. He is being held at the Brown County Jail on a $250,000 bond.
The suspect made his initial court appearance on Tuesday and is scheduled to return to court on November 18 for a preliminary hearing.
Court documents show that prosecutors will use surveillance footage, witness testimony, and the recovered knife as key evidence in the case. If convicted, Goodletson faces up to 60 years in prison, plus additional penalties for the use of a weapon.
Statements and Reactions
Neighbors and patrons of the Hammer Inn expressed shock at the violent incident. Several witnesses told police that the argument began over Goodletson’s ex-wife and quickly escalated.
“He looked furious the moment he saw them together,” one patron said. “It all happened really fast — yelling, then chaos.”
Police emphasized that the attack appeared premeditated, driven by jealousy and anger, rather than self-defense as the suspect claimed.
Authorities also confirmed that the victim’s injuries, while serious, were not life-threatening, and he remains hospitalized in stable condition.
Background and Context
Under Wisconsin’s criminal code, attempted first-degree intentional homicide requires proof of deliberate intent to kill. The “dangerous weapon modifier” further enhances the penalty when a deadly weapon, such as a knife, is used in the crime.
Legal analysts say Goodletson’s case highlights the influence of domestic conflict and jealousy-fueled violence, which often leads to severe assaults or fatalities. The Green Bay Police Department continues to investigate whether alcohol played a role in the Halloween night attack.
Ongoing Developments and Next Steps
Goodletson remains in custody as prosecutors prepare for his upcoming November 18 hearing. Investigators are still gathering additional witness statements and forensic evidence from the crime scene.
Authorities said they plan to introduce video footage from the Hammer Inn’s surveillance cameras and medical reports from St. Vincent Hospital as evidence of the premeditated attack.
Conclusion
The Halloween stabbing at the Hammer Inn has left the Green Bay community shaken, as details reveal a violent confrontation rooted in jealousy and rage. As the case moves forward, prosecutors are pushing for a maximum penalty to ensure accountability for the near-fatal assault.
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