Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May 2, 1998Ex-minister found guilty in abusing his kids
APPLETON, Wis. (AP) -- A former minister was found guilty of charges that he regularly beat his children with spoons and leather belts.
Timothy I. Mutterer, 38, pleaded no contest Friday to two counts of causing bodily harm to a child and pleaded guilty to recklessly causing great bodily harm to a child.
The charges against Mutterer, a former minister at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Appleton, carry a maximum of 15 years in prison.
Outagamie County authorities say Mutterer beat his children regularly with spoons and leather belts.
One of the charges, filed in Winnebago County but included in the Outagamie County case, stemmed from an incident in February 1996, officials said. Police say Mutterer broke his young son's arm when he allegedly pushed the boy off a television stand.
Sentencing is set for June 22 by Outagamie County Circuit Judge Dennis Luebke.