The man charged in the death of 3-year-old Elijah Vue has made several requests before a motion hearing that’s supposed to happen in May.
41-year-old Jesse Vang filed three different motions yesterday (March 23rd) to exclude evidence and change where the trial should be held.
One of the motions seeks to exclude cadaver-dog evidence and sand-and-gravel expert reports. Vang’s attorneys claim that the cadaver dogs’ evidence is just the dogs’ opinions and can’t be cross-examined.
Investigators say the dogs indicated that human remains were found in the 41-year-old’s car and apartment.
The attorneys are also not in favor of an expert explaining sand and gravel findings near Vue’s remains that matched items found at Vang’s apartment in Two Rivers.
Additionally, there is a motion to change the venue, or move the trial out of Manitowoc County to another location, and sequester the jury.
Vang’s attorneys say that because of significant coverage of Elijah’s disappearance and death, he can’t get an impartial trial in Manitowoc County.
Vang also cites extensive media coverage and negative comments made on social media.
Manitowoc County Judge Anthony Lambrecht will have the motion hearing on May 18th.
Vang and Elijah’s mother, 32-year-old Katrina Baur, are charged in the toddler’s death after he was first reported missing in February 2024.
Vang is charged with physical abuse of a child, repeated acts causing death, hiding a corpse, resisting or obstructing an officer, and chronic child neglect.
A criminal complaint alleges that both parents were trying to “make him (Elijah) a man” and change his “bad behavior.”
Elijah’s remains were found in the Town of Two Rivers in September 2024.
Baur is also scheduled to return on May 18th for a status conference.
