Construction worker’s defense to get copies of sensitive evidence in homicide trial

Aaron Schaffhausen, a construction worker who is accused of killing his three daughters, sits in a St. Croix County courtroom for a preliminary hearing July 24. (AP Photo/Star Tribune, Richard Sennott)

HUDSON, Wis. (AP) – A judge has ruled attorneys for a man accused of killing his three young daughters in Wisconsin will get copies of sensitive evidence.

Judge Howard Cameron ruled Thursday at a motion hearing for North Dakota construction worker Aaron Schaffhausen in St. Croix County. Prosecutors did not want to provide Schaffhausen’s attorneys with copies of the materials – including crime scene photos – for fear the evidence would be made public.

Prosecutor Gary Freyberg said some of the evidence is “extremely graphic.”

The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports the judge ruled the defense would get copies of the evidence, but the materials cannot be disseminated or given to Schaffhausen.

Schaffhausen is accused of killing 11-year-old Amara, 8-year-old Sophia and 5-year-old Cecilia Schaffhausen at their River Falls home in July.

Information from: St. Paul Pioneer Press, http://www.twincities.com