Former MMA fighter convicted of all charges in domestic violence case

An Oneida County jury deliberated for just over two hours Friday before finding former mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Frank R. Schuman of Lac du Flambeau guilty of substantial battery, second-degree recklessly endangering safety, strangulation/suffocation, false imprisonment and battery.

The jury handed down its verdict following a two-day trial featuring testimony from two women who alleged they endured violent physical acts at Schuman’s hands.

The subject of the battery charge alleged she woke up with deep bruising on various parts of her body after spending time with Schuman, 31, the evening before. She also told the jury Schuman slapped her in the face during the same night in early 2022. While the woman admitted there are gaps in her memory as to the night in question, she testified Schuman responded with “LOL I’m sorry” when she texted him the next day regarding the bruising.

The second woman told the jury she was in a romantic relationship with Schuman for a few months from late 2021 to early 2022. She described three separate incidents of domestic violence, one from late 2021 and two from early 2022. 

In the first incident, she testified Schuman reacted violently after she told his friends, who were visiting her residence, to quiet down so she could sleep.

She stated that Schuman squeezed her neck with both hands until she almost lost consciousness and told her that she was the one who needed to be quiet.

“I tried to make noise but a completely inhuman sound came out of my mouth,” she said.

 Schuman then shoved two of his fingers in her throat and “hooked me like a fish,” she added. 

She also described additional incidents in early 2022 where she alleged Schuman slammed her head against a car window and held her against a couch with a knife to her throat. She also claimed he pointed a gun at her when she attempted to leave her residence and knocked her unconscious by striking her in the chin with the barrel of a gun.

According to the second woman, the incidents of domestic violence took place after Schuman had used alcohol and/or cocaine.

During the state’s presentation, the jury was also shown photos of both women following the incidents they described.

Oneida County district attorney Jillian Pfeifer referenced the photos, as well as the statements of corroborating witnesses who saw their bruised bodies, as part of her closing argument.

She noted that defense counsel would likely stress that it’s the state’s burden to prove the elements of the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

“It’s true,” she told the jury. “This is my burden and solely my burden and I think, based on the testimony yesterday and today, along with the corroborating evidence of the other witnesses who also observed the bruising, along with the photos, the state has proven this case beyond a reasonable doubt.”

In his closing arguments, defense attorney Russell J.A. Jones argued the evidence presented was insufficient.

He conceded that members of the jury “heard some pretty bad things about Mr. Schuman and you probably don’t like him very much” but reminded them that those emotions have to be put aside.

“The truth here is that you don’t have enough evidence to convict,” he said. “That’s the truth. The truth here is the only way to convict is because you feel bad for the victims, that you don’t like my client and understandably so. The truth here is there simply is not enough evidence.”

Approximately two hours later, the jury found Schuman guilty on all counts.

Sentencing is scheduled for 3 p.m. May 28. 

Schuman, who used the name “the nightmare” while competing in MMA events, is currently serving a six-year prison term, to be followed by four years supervision, in connection with a domestic violence case in Outagamie County involving an ex-girlfriend. That sentence was handed down in December 2023.

Also, earlier this month, Schuman was sentenced to 18 months in prison and two years supervision, after pleading guilty to domestic abuse in Vilas County. He also previously served time in connection with a 2018 conviction in Vilas County related to domestic abuse against another woman.

The Oneida County charges carry a maximum sentence of 25.5 years in prison.

Heather Schaefer may be reached at [email protected].