Freeman Cole Trial Set for January 11
A judge denied the request to dismiss Cole's latest defense attorney in the case stemming from a 2023 attack at a La Crosse storage unit.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Sex Crimes
La Crosse Judge Mark Huesmann scheduled the trial of Freeman Cole for January 11, 2027, after denying Cole's request to dismiss his latest defense attorney. Cole is accused of attacking a woman at a south La Crosse storage unit in 2023.
Why it matters
The case has been postponed repeatedly, and Huesmann said Cole is obstructing the trial process by frequently changing attorneys. A firm trial date puts the long-delayed case on a set schedule.
Cole has been in county jail for three years while the case has been delayed, and the judge has denied his request to dismiss his latest defense attorney. The January 11, 2027 trial is expected to run one week, though whether Cole will proceed without further changes in counsel is unresolved.
The players
Mark Huesmann
La Crosse County judge presiding over the case, who denied the request to dismiss Cole's attorney and scheduled the trial.
Freeman Cole
La Crosse man accused of attacking a woman at a south La Crosse storage unit in 2023, who has repeatedly changed attorneys.
The details
Cole appeared before Judge Huesmann on Thursday seeking dismissal of his latest defense attorney, who reportedly tried to get him to accept a plea deal. Cole also claimed he has been treated badly during his time in jail, and Huesmann denied the dismissal request.
Timeline
2023: Alleged attack at a storage unit near Mormon Coulee Road in south La Crosse.
Days after the attack: Cole was arrested in another state after fleeing.
Thursday, November 5, 2026: Hearing where the dismissal request was denied.
January 11, 2027: Week-long trial scheduled to begin.
Legal Context
Wisconsin's speedy-trial protections are designed to prevent prolonged pretrial detention, yet Cole's three years in jail reflect how repeated changes of counsel can extend delays. The January 11 trial date sets a firm endpoint in a case that has been stalled for years.
Residents of La Crosse may be affected by the trial's timing, as jury selection and courtroom activity will take place in the county during the week of January 11. The case involves an alleged attack near a storage area in south La Crosse, so local residents may want to follow the proceedings.
The takeaway
Repeated changes of counsel and trial postponements can extend a criminal case for years, as the three-year delay in Cole's case illustrates. A firm trial date now gives the case a set timeline.
What happens next
A week-long trial in Cole's case is scheduled to begin January 11, 2027, in La Crosse County.
Further reading
Explore more Sex Crimes coverage from La Crosse for related court and case developments.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WIZM 92.3FM 106.7FM 1410AM.
