Bauer was acquitted by a jury in October of a charge of first-degree premeditated murder.
The case stemmed from a Sept. 20, 2022, incident when Bauer called 911 to report finding Weitzenkamp unresponsive in a machine shed at a farm on 266th Street near Winthrop. Law enforcement arrived to find Weitzenkamp slumped over in a chair with a gunshot wound to the back of his head. A pool of blood had formed beneath him, and evidence indicated he had been preparing to shuck corn just before the fatal injury.
Bauer initially claimed he had last seen Weitzenkamp while passing him on the road earlier that afternoon. However, cell phone location data and surveillance footage contradicted his account, showing both men at the farm during the timeframe of the shooting. Investigators also recovered gunshot residue from Bauer’s clothing, despite his claim that he hadn’t fired a weapon in weeks. Additionally, financial records revealed that Bauer faced significant debt and stood to gain financially from Weitzenkamp’s death through a trust.
The investigation revealed no evidence of theft, burglary, or other individuals present at the scene. Bauer later admitted during a follow-up interview with investigators that he had lied about his whereabouts, stating he wanted to “keep his story straight.”
On January 8, 2025, Bauer was sentenced to 30.5 years in prison, with a minimum of two-thirds to be served behind bars and the remainder on supervised release. He was credited for 117 days already served and ordered to pay $45,115.22 in restitution and fines.
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