Donovan Vondall deemed fit to stand trial in Co-op stabbing case

In a remote review hearing held on Feb. 9, Donovan Vondall of Grand Portage, who was charged with stabbing Thomas Peterson of St. Paul, was determined competent for trial.

Peterson, who survived the Dec. 27 attack, was a customer at the Cook County Co-op, where Vondall worked at the time of the stabbing. Vondall faces one charge of attempted murder and two charges of assault.

During the Feb. 9 hearing, Sixth District Judge Steven Hanke heard from Cook County Attorney Jeanne Peterson, along with defense attorney Wes Martins, who is representing Vondall.

After he was charged on Jan. 2, Vondall underwent a Rule 20.01 evaluation, with the aim of determining his competency for trial. Rule 20 dictates the procedure for cases involving a defendant who is mentally ill or cognitively impaired.

According to Martins, the evaluation determined that the criminal process could proceed. He added that the Rule 20.01 findings also reflected a belief that Vondall is not a threat to himself or the wider community at this time.

After discussing the initial Rule 20.01 evaluation, a second assessment was ordered, under Rule 20.02. That evaluation is required if the defense indicates an intention to show evidence that the accused was mentally ill or otherwise cognitively impaired.

Hanke and the attorneys also discussed the conditions of pre-trial release for Vondall. Martins said that Vondall has been on a medication regimen to address his mental health needs. According to court documents, maintaining that regimen is a condition of release, along with abstaining from any other chemical or substance use.

During the hearing, Martins said that Vondall would stay with his father in Grand Portage upon his release, and would be prohibited from entering the Cook County Co-op. Court documents ordering his pre-trial release were signed on Feb. 10.

In response to the case’s progress, the Cook County Co-op was closed on Feb. 10. A statement from the Co-op read in part, “We take this regrettable and extraordinary action to ensure that the Co-op staff continue to have the support and care they need to continue healing.”

Co-op Strategic Marketing and Communications Manager Amber Richard told WTIP that the Co-op would be closed on Feb. 10 and 11, and would communicate any further changes.

Vondall is expected back in court for another review hearing on March 9.

Kirsten Wisniewski February 10, 2026