A Manitowoc County judge has denied moving a trial and getting a different jury for the case against Jesse Vang, the man charged in the death of 3-year-old Elijah Vue.
Vang’s attorney, Jeffery Jansen, argued for the change, saying comments in news articles could taint a jury pool and that people who searched for Elijah when he was reported missing would be biased.
District Attorney Jacalyn LaBre says while there’s been extensive coverage of the trial, new outlets have presented factual information, and the comments made by people are not seen in their stories.
She also noted that it’s unclear whether the comments are coming from within the United States.
Judge Anthony Lambrecht agreed with prosecutors, saying bad speculation in social media comments does not mean a change of venue is needed, and that coverage since Elijah was reported missing and when his remains were found has dropped off significantly.
He has tentatively scheduled trial dates for early November to as late as April next year.
LaBre says she needs time to see if witnesses can make it on any of the dates.
Vang will return to court on June 5th for a scheduling conference on the dates.
He is facing charges including physical assault of a child causing death, hiding a corpse, child neglect, and resisting or obstructing an officer.
Katrina Baur, whose case was also in court, had a status conference set for July 31st.
She’s been charged with chronic child neglect, the consequence is death, and other charges.
A criminal complaint says Elijah was first reported missing in February 2024 by Vang.
But the toddler’s remains were later found in the Town of Two Rivers in September that year.
The complaint also alleges that Baur was bringing Elijah to Vang’s apartment in Two Rivers to “correct his bad behavior.”
