A Manitowoc County judge has denied moving a trial and getting a different jury for the case against Jesse Vang.
The 40-year-old returned to court this morning (May 18th) to argue about changing the location of a future trial, getting an outside jury, and sequestering them. Vang’s attorney, Jeffery Jansen, argued saying comments in news articles could taint a jury pool.
He was also very concerned about the comments section of articles and what people have said.
Jensen claimed it would cause a biased jury due to anyone seeing comments, which could have been made by county residents.
Manitowoc County District Attorney Jacalyn LaBre says while there’s been extensive coverage of the trial, most new outlets have presented accurate information in the criminal complaint, what’s happened in court, and future court hearings.
She also noted that it’s unclear where social media comments come from under news stories.
LaBre argued that many could be from out of the country and those people wouldn’t be part of a jury in the county.
The DA also said jurors do not need to be sequestered because of steps taken to keep them away from bias in a trial.
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.
Lambrecht also believed that a jury of unbiased people could be put together in Manitowoc County without sequestration.
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.
Katrina Baur, whose case was also in court, had a status conference set for July 31st. Both face numerous charges in Elijah Vue’s death.
