Bintz brothers could be exonerated from 1987 murder case after DNA analysis

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) – Two Green Bay brothers could be exonerated in a 1987 murder case after their DNA identified another suspect.

Sandra Lison was found dead on August 4, 1987, after disappearing from the Good Times Bar in downtown Green Bay. Evidence indicated she had been beaten, strangled and sexually assaulted. Her murder remained unsolved for 11 years.

In 2000, brothers David and Robert Bintz were convicted of the crime.

There was no physical evidence linking the brothers to the crime. DNA extracted from semen and blood found on Sandra's remains ruled out both David and Robert.

Because of the physical evidence pointing to another man, the Great North Innocence Project took over Robert's case and began searching for the real perpetrator.

According to a report from the International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHS), Ramapo College's IGG Center began work in the summer of 2023 to identify the source of the unknown DNA.

A team of eight Ramapo IGG Center staff and students worked on the case for three days and was able to identify a lead through genetic genealogical analysis.

The DNA was matched to a man who has since died.

Online records from the Wisconsin Department of Corrections show Robert Bintz has been released from custody since Wednesday. His brother Robert's online records have not yet been updated but show him in a minimum security prison in Wisconsin.

This is a developing story and will be updated as soon as it becomes available.

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