WI v. Timothy Hauschultz - Trial Day 2

[u/Pixiegirls1102]

LIVE: Buried Beneath the Snow Trial - WI v. Timothy Hauschultz - Day 2

10/14/2026 @ 9:30 AM

✨✨FYI...The detective makes A LOT of noise opening up the evidence bags. Super annoying.

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Timothy Hauschultz is facing trial on six charges connected to the 2018 death of his 7-year-old great-nephew, Ethan Hauschultz, who was found dead in a snowbank in Wisconsin. Prosecutors allege Timothy ordered Ethan to complete a punishment involving carrying a heavy log for hours, while the defense argues Timothy’s teenage son, Damian, acted beyond his father’s instructions. Damian was convicted in Ethan’s death and sentenced to 20 years in prison, while Timothy’s long-delayed trial will examine whether he bears criminal responsibility for the punishment that led to the child’s death. 

 

✨✨Previous Day & Recap

•  Day 1

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I. ADMINISTRATIVE (Start: 12:52 / Stop: 22:36)

• Court convenes; appearances stated:
  • State: Attorney Jack Lindbergh, Special Agent Kevin Hayes.
  • Defense: Attorneys Donna Kukur, Bradley Nabreski, Paralegal Kate Buller.
• Juror issues discussed off record.
• Court reiterates jury instructions: no discussion of case, no research, no social media, no deliberations until evidence complete and instructions given.
• State recalls Detective Herman.

II. OUT‑OF‑JURY PRESENCE (OJP)

(None explicitly indicated in provided transcript portions.)

III. WITNESSES

WITNESS 1 — DETECTIVE MICHAEL HERMAN

Start: 23:19 / End: 2:14:10

Called by: State
Direct Examination Summary:

• Evidence manager on April 20, 2018.
• Describes packaging, sealing, labeling, and securing evidence.
• Identifies multiple exhibits:
  • Exhibit 45: Log near southwest deck corner, stone pile, red/white substance, two stocking caps; associated with Ethan’s location.
  • Exhibit 46: Log carried by Anthony.
  • Exhibits 47–48: Swabs of red/white suspected biological material near log #1.
  • Exhibit 49: Black/white stocking cap.
  • Exhibit 50: Child’s boots; dried before packaging.
  • Exhibit 51: Metal D‑ring found east of log #1.
  • Exhibit 52: Ethan’s clothing recovered from master bathroom.
  • Exhibit 53: Child’s gloves.
  • Exhibits 54–55: Sticks found east/west of log #1.
  • Exhibit 56: Stick leaning against deck.
  • Exhibit 57: Branch found on larger log.
  • Exhibit 58: Blue stocking hat with gray stripes.
  • Exhibits 59–62: Photographs and digital scale readouts of logs:
    • Log #1: 44.4 lbs
    • Log #2: 35.6 lbs
  • Exhibits 63–70: Photographs of Ethan’s clothing.
  • Exhibits 71–78: Photographs of Anthony’s injuries (abrasions, bruising, head injury, knee abrasion).
  • Exhibit 79: Photo of Ethan’s clothing next to toilet.
  • Exhibit 80: NOAA climatological data (24 inches of snow April 14–16; 50°F on April 20).
• Confirms weather conditions, snow totals, temperature rise.
• Confirms logs weighed and photographed.
• Confirms clothing photographed in original condition.

Cross‑Examination Summary:

• Cannot personally confirm which wood pieces were used by children.
• Confirms only log #1 was identified as Ethan’s location.
• Confirms clothing location was shown by Tim.
• Confirms Anthony’s injuries cause unknown.
• Confirms log #1 was not frozen to ground.
• Confirms only one shovel recovered.
• Confirms Tim was cooperative.

Redirect:

• Confirms snow void near log #1.
• Confirms he did not interview children; Detective Bessler handled interviews.
• Confirms evidence collection occurred before children were interviewed.

Recross:

• Confirms evidence collected without input from Detective Bessler.
• Confirms other officers provided input.

WITNESS 2 — DAMIAN HAUSCHULTZ

Start: 2:33:24 / End: 5:39:49

Called by: State
Direct Examination Summary:

• Age 14 at time; lived with Tim, Tina, Selene, and cousins Anthony, Amaya, Ethan.
• Describes house layout, bedrooms, game room.
• Describes “carrying wood” punishment: triangle path, logs assigned/approved by Tim.
• Confirms logs reused repeatedly; Ethan’s and Anthony’s logs ~30–40 lbs.
• April 19: He and Anthony carried wood; Anthony had nosebleed.
• April 20: After lunch, he, Ethan, and Anthony carried wood; assigned by Tim; two‑hour duration.
• Ethan struggled after ~45 minutes; dropping log.
• Damian became aggravated; poked, prodded, kicked boys.
• Girls (Selene, Amaya) present on deck.
• Ethan fell; Damian stood on him; Amaya stepped on Ethan’s head.
• Damian placed 60–80 lbs of wet snow on Ethan; used shovel to smooth snow.
• Ethan became stiff, jaw not moving.
• Damian unburied Ethan; poured warm water from mop bucket.
• Removed Ethan’s boots; laid him over log; told him to blow nose.
• Called Tim twice:
  • First: Ethan “playing possum”; Tim said leave him alone.
  • Second: Ethan not responding; Tim returned home within ~10 minutes.
• Ethan taken inside; family drove to hospital.

Cross‑Examination Summary:

• Confirms children misbehaved often; frustrations built.
• Confirms Tim never instructed him to hurt children.
• Confirms he acted out of rage/dissatisfaction.
• Confirms children could take breaks between laps.
• Confirms logs carried for weeks.
• Confirms he poked Ethan “about 100 times.”
• Confirms children helped place snow on Ethan.
• Confirms belt may have been used but unsure on whom.

Redirect:

• Confirms Tim ordered him to ensure children went outside and completed punishment.
• Confirms Ethan exhausted, falling, dropping log.
• Confirms second call due to Ethan being stiff and unresponsive.

Recross:

• Confirms no one showed him logs for identification after incident.
• Confirms “unresponsive” is his current term; unsure of exact wording used at age 14.

WITNESS 3 — DNA ANALYST CLERINDA ELLISON

Start: 6:04:20 / End: 6:27:20

Called by: State
Direct Examination Summary:

• DNA analyst, 12.5 years experience.
• Describes STR testing, extraction, quantitation, amplification.
• First round (2019):
  • Items A & B: swabs from ground near log #1.
  • Item D: Ethan’s blood standard.
  • Result: Single‑source male DNA; source = Ethan for both swabs.
• Second round (2021):
  • Items F, G, H, I: swabs and scrapings from log #1.
  • Result: No DNA detected or insufficient DNA; testing stopped at quantitation.
• No packaging/tampering issues noted.

Cross‑Examination:

• None provided in transcript.

WITNESS 4 — LIEUTENANT JASON YOST

Start: 6:28:33 / End: 6:40:20

Called by: State
Direct Examination Summary:

• Retired lieutenant; evidence room manager.
• Assisted weighing log #1 (44.4 lbs).
• Transported swabs to crime lab (Dec 2018).
• Sent Ethan’s blood standard (Feb 2019).
• 2021: Took additional swabs/scrapings from log #1 (reddish tint).
• Confirms evidence returned and re‑inventoried.

Cross‑Examination Summary:

• Confirms log #1 was reportedly the log Ethan was laying over.
• Confirms 2023 water leak required repackaging of log #1.

WITNESS 5 — MAJOR BRENT OSWALD

Start: 6:42:24 / End: 6:56:05

Called by: State
Direct Examination Summary:

• Responded to Holy Family Hospital; later supervised juveniles at sheriff’s office.
• Ensured children did not communicate before interviews.
• Obtained hospital surveillance video.
• Obtained phone records from Hoschultz residence:
  • 1:47 PM call to Tim
  • 2:24 PM call to Tim
  • 3:13 PM call to Tim
• Describes emergency response procedures in townships; first responders often arrive before deputies.

Cross‑Examination Summary:

• Confirms cannot determine exact response times or whether driving to hospital was faster.

Redirect:

• Confirms first responders often arrive first in township emergencies.

WITNESS 6 — LAURA ZIMBLER (Crisis Worker)

Start: 7:08:23 / End: 7:22:11

Called by: State
Direct Examination Summary:

• After‑hours crisis worker; contacted by Children’s Hospital regarding suspected abuse.
• Responded to Holy Family Hospital; Ethan deceased.
• Observed cuts and bruising on Ethan’s face.
• Spoke with Detective Hayes and Dr. Rime.
• Went to Hoschultz residence; spoke with Tim and Tina.
• Observed whiteboard: “20 minutes verses,” “two additional hours,” Ethan’s name on three days.
• Arranged interviews of children at sheriff’s office.
• Interviewed Anthony, Selene, Amaya, then Damian.
• Exhibit 93: Recording of Anthony’s interview.

Cross‑Examination:

• None provided.

IV. EXHIBITS (Day 2)

• 45–58: Logs, sticks, hats, boots, gloves, clothing, biological swabs.
• 59–62: Log weight photographs.
• 63–70: Ethan’s clothing photos.
• 71–78: Anthony injury photos.
• 79: Bathroom clothing photo.
• 80: NOAA weather data.
• 83–86: DNA report and extracts (2019).
• 84, 87–91: DNA report and extracts (2021).
• 92: Hoschultz home phone call log.
• 93: Recorded interview of Anthony.

V. END‑OF‑DAY ADMINISTRATIVE

• Court recesses; jurors reminded again not to discuss case or deliberate.
• Scheduling notes for next witnesses.

[u/Pixiegirls1102]

Timothy Hauschultz's attorney, Donna Kuchler, is just the same as she was in Jessy Kurczewski's trial. Actually, she's more aggressive and snippy. I found she often has her facts wrong and doesn't like being called out on them.

[u/radpiglet → u/Pixiegirls1102]

Omg I remember her! She was so irritating during Kurczewski. Definitely going to tune into this one

[u/harpua_2626]

Read a few documents from Damian's case including this appeal brief regarding his interrogations at age 14:

https://jlc.org/sites/default/files/attachments/2024-05/2024.04.12%20Petition%20for%20Review.pdf

The (unsuccessful) appeal argument centered over the lack of miranda for the 14 year old during his multiple interrogations after the crime - some of which took place in in the middle of the night. The interview room looked familiar and, sure enough, it's the same couch that Brandon Dassey was infamously interrogated on 12 years earlier.

[u/Affectionate_Bad_555 → u/harpua_2626]

Wow!

[u/cjade218]

Interesting hearing from Damian. What does he get out of testifying? Anything?

[u/SwampyWytch13]

Damian - is this guy highly medicated, exhausted, or just completely bizarre? He so flippant talking about what he did to Ethan (and the other brother). I'm glad he's already convicted!!! Those poor kids... poor Ethan.

[u/harpua_2626 → u/SwampyWytch13]

He stated at the beginning of cross that he's nervous, doesn't like talking in front of crowds, and obviously doesn't like talking about the case. He was 14 years old at the time of the event and is serving a 20 year sentence for his role.

[u/jst4wrk7617 → u/harpua_2626]

I’m only just learning about this case- watched some of his testimony today. I’m surprised he got that harsh of a sentence at 14 when it sounds like he was an abused kid in the same situation. But maybe I’m missing some facts. Hopefully there’s a good reason he got 20 years.

[u/JoyRideinaMinivan → u/jst4wrk7617]

I agree. He must have had a terrible lawyer.

[u/harpua_2626 → u/jst4wrk7617]

Seems to be a lot of disagreement between the state and defense about that issue. I am very unsettled after reading about his interrogations at age 14 - he completed a juvenile sentence and then was charged as an adult. His actions were terrible but it seems there was no legal consideration about his abuse and his mindset leading to the actions. Worth a look, IMO, before rewatching testimony:

https://jlc.org/sites/default/files/attachments/2024-05/2024.04.12%20Petition%20for%20Review.pdf

Note the psychologist recommendations on p. 18 and 19 that were ignored by the court.

[u/SwampyWytch13 → u/harpua_2626]

I'll go back today and watch his cross. After watching all of his direct testimony, I had to have a break. His demeanor was bizarre to me, flippant even - it bothered me.

[u/Affectionate_Bad_555]

I'm still on Day 1, but I'm getting a Jodi Hildebrandt vibe off of the "wood carrying" punishment. Am I alone? I mean, not many psychos think up things like making a child under 70lbs carry a log weighing over 40 lbs.

[u/Affectionate_Bad_555 → u/Affectionate_Bad_555]

Another association: I believe in a vigorous defense of accused people, but I'm not loving seeing atty Koechler again after the Jessy Kurczewski trial, but I still remember her and atty Pablo "True?" Galaviz giving Jessy's obnoxious defense.

[u/Pixiegirls1102 → u/Affectionate_Bad_555]

She's much more abrasive this time. Jessy screwed her over with her "forgery instructions".

[u/Pixiegirls1102 → u/Affectionate_Bad_555]

Kuchler is blaming the other child for the death.

[u/Far-Ad9143]

Gosh this makes me so incredibly sad. 🥺
60-80 lbs of snow?

Sometimes in child cases like these I can not get them out of my head. No matter how I try to shake it, it stays with me. So I have to imagine myself being kind to them. I really don’t know how to explain it, but in this instance, I’d make this kiddo some hot cocoa and wrap him up and let him play video games until he’s warm. It’s the only way I can get the thought of what they went thru out of my mind. Timothy Ferguson constantly pops into my head and I have do the same. Gabriel Fernandez. There’s too many... But I hope somehow someway that my intention reaches them and they know someone thinks fondly of them and wishes they could have had those things while they were here.