Appeals Court Rejects Insurer's Bid in Haase Case
Maple Valley Mutual Insurance Company must continue defending a wrongful death lawsuit tied to Tony Haase after an appellate ruling.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Accidents
A Wisconsin appeals court rejected Maple Valley Mutual Insurance Company's interlocutory appeal in a wrongful death lawsuit against Tony Haase, who was acquitted in 2025 of the 1992 murders of Tanna Togstad and Timothy Mumbrue. The civil case, which seeks $17 million in damages, will proceed.
Why it matters
The ruling keeps open the question of whether the insurer must cover the defense and any damages in a civil case arising from a decades-old double murder. It also shows how coverage disputes can continue even after a criminal acquittal.
The civil wrongful death case is pending in Waupaca County court after the appeals court declined to hear the insurer's early challenge. A status conference is scheduled for Dec. 18, 2026, and the coverage question has not been resolved.
The players
Maple Valley Mutual Insurance Company
Maple Valley Mutual is the insurer that retained counsel to defend Haase under his policy while contesting whether its coverage applies.
The details
Maple Valley Mutual argued its policies do not cover Haase's alleged acts and asked a judge to dismiss the case, which the judge denied in October. The insurer then asked the appeals court to review the coverage issue before the case concluded, and the court rejected that request in a Friday ruling.
Timeline
1992: Tanna Togstad and Timothy Mumbrue were murdered at a home in rural Waupaca County.
2025: Tony Haase was acquitted of the murders.
October 2026: A judge denied Maple Valley Mutual's motion to dismiss.
Friday, November 6, 2026 (approximate): The appeals court rejected the interlocutory appeal.
Dec. 18, 2026: A status conference is scheduled in the civil case.
Legal Context
Civil wrongful death suits can proceed after a criminal acquittal because the civil standard of proof is lower than the criminal standard. In this case, the dispute has shifted from the murders themselves to whether an insurance policy must fund Haase's defense.
The ruling means the civil case against Haase will continue in Waupaca County rather than being halted by the insurer's early appeal. Residents following the case should expect further court proceedings before any damages or coverage determination is made.
The takeaway
Acquittal in a criminal case does not end civil liability, and insurance coverage can become its own contested battle. Readers tracking similar cases should watch both the underlying lawsuit and any coverage disputes.
What happens next
A status conference in the civil wrongful death case is scheduled for Dec. 18, 2026.
Further reading
For more on similar civil claims, browse Accidents coverage across Wisconsin.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WLUK.
