Jesse Vang (Photo courtesy Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office)
MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A judge Monday denied request to either move the trial or pick a jury from outside Manitowoc County for Jesse Vang’s trial for allegedly causing the death of Elijah Vue, 3.
Vue’s mother, Katrina Baur, and her boyfriend, Vang, face multiple charges for the boy’s February 2024 disappearance and subsequent death. Vang is charged with physical abuse of a child – causing death and hiding a corpse, while Baur faces four charges, including chronic neglect of a child – consequence is death and neglecting a child.
Vang’s attorney, Jeffrey Jensen, urged Judge Anthony Lambrecht to move the trial or pick it from another county. He cited multiple online comments which aren’t supportive of a fair trial for Vang.
District Attorney Jacalyn LeBre argued a fair jury could be picked in Manitowoc.
Judge Lambrecht said the media coverage has not been inflammatory, and has focused on factual coverage of the events. He also noted that due to the online nature of the coverage, the information is easily accessible across the state.
“The defendant has not shown that there is a reasonable likelihood that he cannot obtain a fair trial in Manitowoc County. Additionally, there are safeguards which can be utilized – such as voir dire and jury questionnaires – to ensure that a fair and impartial jury can be empaneled,” the judge said.
Vang’s request to have the jury sequestered – meaning they wouldn’t be allowed to go home during the trial – was also denied.
The trial was tentatively scheduled for Feb. 22, although dates of Nov. 30 and April 7 are also being considered. A status conference to review the trial schedule will be held June 5.
Another motions hearing was set for July 18 on if a sand and gravel expert will be able to testify at Vang’s trial about materials found with the body.
According to expert reports, this sand and gravel did not appear to be consistent with the geologic material in the immediate area. However, a bucket and barrels near Vang’s home contained a mixture of sand and gravel used to treat icy sidewalks and roads — which have some similarities to material found by Vue’s body.
Prosecutors say Baur sent her son to live with Vang at his Two Rivers apartment for “disciplinary reasons.” Vang reported Vue missing Feb. 20, 2024, and an Amber Alert was issued.
Months later, on Sept. 7, a man preparing his land for hunting season found human remains on private property near the entrance of Camp Manitou, a Girl Scout camp. Those remains were positively identified as Vue’s.
In June 2025, prosecutors made a plea deal offer to Baur. However, the details of the proposal were not revealed.
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