Greenfield child death cold case; ex-wife, child's mother testifies
Greenfield child death cold case, trial day 3
There was plenty of emotional testimony on Thursday, Oct. 17, from the mother of the 7-week-old girl who died in 1991. Ronald Schroeder, who once performed as Silly the Clown, is charged with homicide in the death of his infant daughter. During day three of the trial at the Milwaukee County Courthouse, she says Schroeder put her through years of abuse.
GREENFIELD, Wis. - There was plenty of emotional testimony on Thursday, Oct. 17, from the mother of the 7-week-old girl who died in 1991.
Ronald Schroeder, who once performed as Silly the Clown, is charged with homicide in the death of his infant daughter.
During day three of the trial at the Milwaukee County Courthouse, she says Schroeder put her through years of abuse.
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Video of his infant daughter shown in court
The court heard from Schroeder's ex-wife, who is also the mother of their daughter Catherine.
While on the stand, she told the court how their hopeful relationship quickly turned into years of emotional and physical abuse.
FOX6 was asked not to name or show her face.
She says her and Schroeder's relationship started when she was 19, and she thought he was sweet and kind.
She told the jury that eventually Schroeder changed.
Ronald Schroeder
She says he began isolating her from her family, calling her names and even physically abusing her.
She told the court of one instance that stuck out to her, when they moved to their place in Greenfield.
"He was very angry at me, and he pushed me down on the couch and sat on me. I was quite pregnant at the time, and I remember his mom yelling out ‘Ronnie, Ronnie, stop you’re going to kill the baby," the witness said.
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During cross-examination, Schroeder's defense called his behavior toward their daughter "loving," saying he was there every step of the way for her.
They said some of the baby's bruising could have been accidental.
They also said the only other person that was around Catherine more than her father, was her mother.
Day four testimony is expected to continue tomorrow morning (Friday, Oct. 18) at 9 a.m. The trial is expected to go into next week.