Inset: Robert S. Goodletson (Brown County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The Hammer Inn in Green Bay where Goodletson allegedly stabbed his ex-wife’s friend (Google Maps).
In an unsettling Halloween night incident in Wisconsin, a 47-year-old man found himself in handcuffs after a violent confrontation inside a local bar. The suspect, identified as Robert Stanley Goodletson, allegedly stabbed another man, accusing him of having an affair with his wife. Remarkably, the victim, despite the severity of the attack, survived the ordeal and is now recovering.
Goodletson now faces serious legal consequences, being charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide, enhanced by the use of a dangerous weapon. This charge, as detailed in court records, underscores the gravity of the situation and the potential consequences Goodletson now faces.
The Green Bay Police Department was called to the Hammer Inn, a bar located in the 1200 block of State Street, around 8:45 p.m. on October 31. Responding to reports of a stabbing, officers quickly arrived at the scene, as noted by the Green Bay Press Gazette. The criminal complaint reveals that the victim was attacked inside the bar but managed to leave the premises shortly after, with Goodletson allegedly in pursuit.
Once on site, first responders discovered the victim outside the bar, suffering from multiple stab wounds to his chest and a significant cut on his head. Emergency medical staff promptly administered first aid before transporting him to St. Vincent Hospital. There, despite his injuries, the victim was able to give a detailed account to the police.
The victim recounted that he was with Goodletson’s ex-wife at the Hammer Inn when Goodletson encountered them. Witnesses reported that Goodletson became irate, leading to a confrontation. According to the victim, “Robert [Goodletson] began yelling at me across the bar,” he told the authorities, as reported by WLUK, a Green Bay Fox affiliate. “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. Police then showed up.”
“Robert [Goodletson] began yelling at me across the bar,” the victim told police, according to Green Bay Fox affiliate WLUK. “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. Police then showed up.”
While the victim was being treated, police said they located Goodletson behind the Hammer Inn and took him into custody. During his arrest, officers reportedly observed blood on his hands and recovered a knife, which they said was sheathed on his belt.
Following his arrest, Goodletson allegedly began talking about his attack on the victim.
“[Goodletson] told us that the male [victim] was sleeping with his wife, and they weren’t even divorced,” police reportedly wrote in the affidavit. “He also made a comment about him being a concealed weapon permit holder and that we were lucky that he didn’t kill the guy. As he was explaining the reasons behind the stabbing, he also claimed he was acting in self-defense.”
Surveillance footage from inside the bar reportedly showed Goodletson yelling, “No f—ing way” as he spotted the victim and began “walking rapidly” toward the victim and confronting him. Goodletson can then allegedly be seen pushing the victim against a wall using his left hand while holding the knife in his right hand and repeatedly stabbing the victim.
Goodletson is being held in the Brown County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bond, records show. He made his initial appearance in court on Tuesday and is currently scheduled to return on Nov. 18.
