MONROE — A state appellate court is still considering a key ruling in the case of an Albany teenager, accused of shooting to death an infant shortly after she was born to a teen couple in 2021.

Nonetheless, a status hearing on the first-degree murder case has been scheduled for April 26 in Green County Circuit Court. 

It is one of the most-high profile murder cases in the area in years, and the ordeal of victim baby Harper led state officials to pass a Safe Haven Law bill aimed at informing Wisconsin teenagers of their options for safely leaving infants without legal repercussions.

Logan Kruckenberg-Anderson, 18, but 16 at the time of the crime, faces felony charges of first-degree intentional homicide and hiding a corpse in connection with the newborn’s death. 

At issue in this case are statements that a judge previously ruled cannot be allowed in to his upcoming trial, in which he allegedly talked about his role in the baby’s death, mere days after she was born and then left to die in snow-covered woods.

Green County District Attorney Craig Nolen said the state is appealing the initial ruling made in Circuit Judge Thomas Vale’s court, arguing that any all the evidence gathered against the teen be allowed in.

“The State is appealing the suppression of statements made by Mr. Kruckenberg-Anderson on the grounds that the State believes that the Court erred in making its findings and ultimately ruling to suppress those statements,” said Nolen on Thursday.

But some of the numerous statements will be allowed in, such as those made at Rock County Jail, Vale previously held.

Kruckenberg-Anderson’s defense team argued late last year to suppress his statements to police during a series of interviews in late 2021 following the baby’s disappearance: One beginning after midnight on Jan. 9 and early on Jan. 10 at the Brodhead Police station as authorities continued to frantically search for baby; another at the Albany police station after leading police to the infant’s body; and later statements made while in custody at Rock County Jail.

“The Court rules and directs statements made by the defendant, at The Brodhead Police Department, The Albany Police Department and the crime scene, will be suppressed and were involuntary statements made due to the circumstances,” court records said, in reference to Vales’ ruling. “The Court will not suppress the last two interviews at Rock County Juvenile Detention Center and Rock County Sheriff’s Department.”

And that is something of a problem for the prosecution — one that they hope the appellate court will remedy soon so the trial can begin, according to Nolen.

“The State has the right to an appeal any evidentiary ruling that results in the exclusion of evidence,” he said.  “Those suppressed statements are valuable to the State’s presentation of the case and that is the reason for such appeal.    

Baby Harper was born on Jan. 5, 2021. The case has drawn plenty of local, national and international headlines, including in such publications as People Magazine, the Daily Mail, the New York Post, The Daily Beast and the Associated Press.

Kruckenberg-Anderson remains in Green County jail on $1 million bond. 

There is a chance the Kruckenberg-Anderson trial could stretch well into 2024.

“I wouldn’t expect any appellate decision until the latter part of the year because no appellate briefs have been filed at this time by either party,” said Nolen.