Details have been worked out for the trial of the great-uncle of Ethan Hauschultz.
54-year-old Timothy Hauschultz appeared over Zoom this morning (February 7th) for his pre-trial hearing.
Judge Jerilyn Dietz heard arguments from the prosecution and defense about three witnesses being allowed to testify and about the convictions of some witnesses who could be called to testify.
They could include some of Timothy’s family members.
Dietz also ruled to not sequester the jury.
She said it’s already her practice to make sure that no one that’s following the case is chosen and that jurors are already asked not to follow the news during the eight-day trial.
Timothy is facing charges including felony murder, child abuse, and battery in Ethan’s death.
He couldn’t go to trial until his nephew, Damian Hauschultz, had his appeals go through the court system.
Damian pleaded guilty to a charge of 1st-degree reckless homicide in 2021 and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
An appellate court ruled that Damien’s confession was voluntarily done even though he claimed that he was forced to confess to hurting Ethan.
According to a criminal complaint, Ethan died at a hospital after he was forced to carry a heavy log as a punishment back in 2018.
He was also buried in the snow before his family noticed he was unconscious.
The first day of Timothy’s trial is February 24th.
