Popp trial in limbo following verdict

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – The fourth day of Dan Popp’s trial continued on Thursday as the jury gave a verdict.

Popp is accused of shooting a Hmong couple and a Latino man at an apartment in March, 2016.

By 3 P.M. the jury had reached a verdict that Popp was mentally ill at the time of the crime but they believe he knew what he was doing.

The judge neither denied nor accepted the verdict.

Now, the defense and the prosecution will present appeals at a later date. A trial will then be set for the judge to decide on the verdict or have another trial.

Based on the jury’s verdict, Popp would go to jail.

Future hearings will determine if Popp in fact will serve time behind bars or at a mental institute.

A large presence from the Hmong community was present throughout the trial.

Popp is accused of killing three people, Mai and Phia Vue and Jesus Manso-Perez.

Following Thursday’s trial the Vue family held a press conference where family members gave statements about their loss and the limbo decision, including the Vues’ 15-year-old daughter Isabel Vue.

“Nothing can ever bring my mom and dad back I am sad that my parents will not be able to celebrate graduations or birthday parties with me and my siblings or go on anymore family camping trips I am especially heartbroken that my father will never get to walk me down the aisle on my wedding day,” says Isabel.

The trial started Monday, November 6.

Previously there was pressure to charge this case as a hate crime but that did not happen after a judge ordered Popp to be transferred to a mental health facility.