Tony Haase appears in Waupaca County court for his trial. July 17, 2025. PC: Fox 11 Online
WAUPACA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The jury in the Tony Haase case may be having trouble reaching a unanimous verdict on charges he killed Tanna Togstad and Timothy Mumbrue in 1992.
The jury started its deliberations Wednesday afternoon, and resumed its work Thursday morning.
About 10 a.m., the parties returned to the courtroom, where Judge Raymond Huber read a note from a juror, asking what they should do if one juror has made up their mind and is not changing it, is it their job to change others’ opinions?
“I will simply advise you that you are collective body. You’ve all heard the evidence and seen the exhibits. And I’m hoping everyone will go back into the jury room and truthfully discuss your opinions and what the evidence is, and what you believe the evidence demonstrates. And, then, collectively discuss it and try to reach a collective verdict. This is supposed to be a deliberative process. No one needs to absolutely change; if their mind’s made up, they don’t need to change. But you should talk among yourselves in good faith, and explain why you believe what you believe,” the judge instructed them.
The jury adjourned for the day at 2 p.m. without reaching a verdict. One of the jurors had an appointment, the judge explained. Deliberations are scheduled to resume at 8 a.m. Friday.
Although the murders were in 1992, Haase wasn’t charged until 2022, when DNA evidence tied him to the scene.
Eventually, Haase disclosed to investigators that his father had been killed in a snowmobile accident when he was 5 or 8 years old. Investigators had discovered Haase’s father died on Dec. 31, 1977, when Haase was 7 years old.
Haase continued and described that his father was operating a snowmobile in a group of three that was racing. The second snowmobile hit his father’s, and his father was killed. The third snowmobile then ran over the driver of the second. He described it as a horrible accident. One of those drivers was Togstad’s father.
Haase’s defense argued it was a false confession, and that his uncle, who died in 1995, may have been responsible for the murders.
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