Timothy Hauschultz in Manitowoc County court, February 24, 2025. PC: Fox 11 Online
MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The man charged with ordering the punishment which allegedly led to the death of Ethan Hauschultz in a snowbank in 2018 wants the jury selected from outside of Manitowoc County due to pre-trial coverage of the case.
Timothy Hauschultz, 54, faces eight counts, including felony murder, in the death of 7-year-old Ethan, his great-nephew. Timothy Hauschultz was the boy’s legal guardian when the child was found dead in a snowbank. Timothy Hauschultz’s son, Damian, was convicted of causing Ethan’s death.
Timothy Hauschultz’s trial is scheduled for Oct. 1.
Hauschultz’s attorneys, Bradley Novreske and Donna Kuchler, contend the jury needs to be picked elsewhere as a matter of fairness.
“The intensity of the local media coverage in particular threatens Mr. Hauschultz’s ability to receive an impartial trial. This Court should select a jury from one of the surrounding but noncontiguous counties to ensure that jurors have not been prejudicially exposed to pretrial media coverage,” they wrote. “The publicity surrounding this case is extremely prejudicial and thorough. It portrays Mr. Hauschultz as a felon and a repeat child abuser. It portrays him in the worst possible light.”
Besides coverage of specific hearings by media outlets, it also notes the impact of social media — including hearings posted (and remaining available) on Facebook, and a podcast posted on Apple and Spotify.
“While it is undeniably the case that a percentage of the viewers on Facebook are not Manitowoc County residents, it is safe to assume that a significant portion are given intense local interest in this case,” the attorneys wrote. “The reach of media coverage and the extent to which it has shifted from traditional print media to social media makes mitigating the prejudice of any pretrial publicity all the more difficult.”
Prosecutors have not responded to the motion, and no hearings have been scheduled.
If the motion were granted, the courts usually weigh two options: Holding jury selection in another county, but still having the trial in the ‘home’ county (Manitowoc); or, moving the entire proceeding to another county.
According to the criminal complaint, on April 20, 2018, Timothy told his son, Damian Hauschultz, then 14, to make sure Ethan completed his punishment.
That included, according to the complaint, Ethan Hauschultz being required to carry a log for two hours around a path in the backyard of their home.
Damian said he had to carry wood for not knowing 13 Bible verses to Timothy’s satisfaction. The punishment was one week of carrying wood for two hours per day. Timothy picked out the logs, but Damian had to supervise the punishment for the younger children.
During that time the complaint says Ethan Hauschultz “struggled to carry his log” and Damian did “hit, kick, strike and poke Ethan approximately 100 times.” The complaint goes on to say Damian Hauschultz also stood on Ethan Hauschultz’s “body and head” while he was “face-down in a puddle.” The complaint also alleges Damian Hauschultz buried Ethan Hauschultz in about “80 pounds of packed snow” where he was left for about 20 to 30 minutes without a coat or boots.
Neither Timothy Hauschultz, nor his wife, Tina McKeever-Hauschultz, was home when Ethan died.
Damian Hauschultz, now 21, pleaded guilty to reckless homicide and was sentenced to 20 years in prison for Ethan’s death.
Tina McKeever-Hauschultz served a five-year prison term for her role in the events leading up to and failing to prevent Ethan’s death. She was released to extended supervision last year.
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