MANITOWOC – A judge has denied a request to move Jesse Vang’s case out of Manitowoc County in the criminal case tied to the death of 3-year-old Elijah Vue.
Manitowoc County Circuit Court Judge Anthony Lambrecht heard arguments from both sides during a hearing May 18.
Attorney Jeffrey Jensen argued in favor of moving the trial to a different county’s circuit court or picking jury members from a different county.
He said there have been thousands of media articles about Vang’s case and many vitriolic comments about it online.
District Attorney Jacalyn LaBre said she believed a fair jury could be picked in Manitowoc.
In a written argument filed before the hearing, LaBre wrote that media coverage of Vang’s case had been focused on factual coverage and has not been intentionally inflammatory.
Lambrecht stated in his decision, “The defendant has not shown that there is a reasonable likelihood that he cannot obtain a fair trial in Manitowoc County.”
Future hearing set, trial dates considered
Another motion hearing was set for July 18. During that hearing, Lambrecht is expected to rule on if a forensic geologist will be allowed to testify at Vang’s trial.
A two-and-a-half week trial was tentatively scheduled for Vang in February 2027, although alternative dates in November 2026 and April 2027 might also be considered.
Vang accused of killing 3-year-old child and hiding his body for several months
Vang is charged with the 2024 death of 3-year-old Elijah Vue and hiding his body on wooded private property near Two Rivers for several months before it was found by civilians.
Vang now faces the following charges: felony child abuse-causing death, hiding a corpse, chronic neglect of a child and misdemeanor resisting or obstructing an officer.
A trial date has not been set in his case yet.
Child’s mother faces neglect charges
Katrina B. Baur, 33, Elijah’s mother, was also charged in the child’s death. She pleaded not guilty to charges of chronic neglect of a child-consequence is death, neglecting a child and obstructing an officer during an arraignment Oct. 30, 2024.
During a scheduling conference in Baur’s case Jan. 8, attorney Amber Gratz said she wasn’t ready to file motions yet and needed more time to review evidence in the case.
Baur’s case is also being heard by Lambrecht and prosecuted by LaBre.
Baur is held in the Manitowoc County Jail on a $400,000 cash bond. A status conference in her case is set for June 5.
Contact Alisa M. Schafer at aschafer@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Jesse Vang trial in Elijah Vue death will stay in Manitowoc County
Reporting by Alisa M. Schafer, Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter / Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter
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