Tony Haase leaves the courtroom after being found not guilty of murder on August 11th, 2025. (Fox 11 Online)
WAUPACA COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Work on a civil wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Tanna Togstand against Tony Haase, who was acquitted for her murder and that of Timothy Mumbrue, will continue while questions about insurance coverage are resolved, a judge ruled Wednesday.
Haase was acquitted in August for the 1992 murders of Togstad and Mumbrue at a home in rural Waupaca County. Shortly before the trial was concluded, Togstad’s family filed a civil lawsuit, seeking $17 million in damages.
Maple Valley Mutual Insurance Company asked for the case to be split in order to have one case determine if it is required to provide coverage to defend Haase, and a separate case for the main claims of the case. If so, the primary case would be put on hold while coverage is determined.
But in a four-page ruling, Outagamie County Judge Vincent Biskupic ruled both tracks will continue simultaneously.
Allowing discovery to proceed in this case will not prejudice Maple Valley’s ability to file a dispositive motion on coverage, and in the meantime the merits will not be delayed. The alternative, a stay of all discovery until coverage is determined (including an appeal), would prejudice both Togstad and Haase. A stay could also result in duplicative discovery as depositions may be necessary for both coverage and on the merits. Balancing the potential prejudice to the parties, the complexity of the issues; the potential for jury confusion; and the issues of convenience, economy, and delay, the Court finds a stay of discovery on the merits while coverage is being determined is not appropriate in this case,” the ruling states.
The judge instructed the attorneys to prepare memos about the next steps in the case, including proposals for when the trial should happen.
At an earlier hearing, the attorneys speculated it would be two years before a trial would be held.
As he did at the criminal trial, Haase has denied the civil case allegations he killed the couple.
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