Greenfield child death cold case; Ronald Schroeder guilty at trial
MILWAUKEE - A Milwaukee County jury found Ronald Schroeder guilty on Wednesday in the 1991 cold case death of his infant daughter.
The week-and-a-half-long trial concluded with Schroeder convicted of first-degree reckless homicide and child abuse. The jury began deliberations just after 3 p.m. on Tuesday and handed down its verdict around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.
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Seven-week-old Catherine Schroeder's death was ruled a homicide from blunt force injuries that were initially cited as the result of shaken baby syndrome. Medical experts, first responders and Schroeder's exes were among those who testified.
Prosecutors argued the evidence and testimony showed Schroeder abused and shook his daughter in 1991 – causing her death.
Milwaukee County Courthouse
"This defendant, when he abused his infant daughter, he was watching what he was doing. He knew what he was doing," said Deputy District Attorney Matthew Torbenson.
While the defense argued, though Schroeder may be a "bad person," that doesn't prove he killed and abused his daughter.
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"'He must’ve done it' is not proof beyond a reasonable doubt. ‘It had to be him!’ That is not proof beyond a reasonable doubt," Defense Attorney Charles Glynn said.
Schroeder never took the stand in his own defense, saying pending charges in Waukesha were a factor in that decision.
After the verdict was announced, neither attorneys nor the family spoke to FOX6 News. But prosecutors anticipate several people will make victim impact statements during Schroeder's sentencing hearing, which is scheduled for Nov. 25.
Schroeder trial: Oct. 23, 2024
Additional coverage
- Greenfield child death cold case; jury selection wraps for Ronald Schroeder trial
- Day 1: Opening statements delivered, testimony begins
- Day 2: Medical examiner, others testify
- Day 3: Ex-wife, child's mother testifies
- Day 4: 2 more mothers, exes testify
- Day 5: Child abuse pediatrician testifies
- Day 6: Closing arguments