August 1, 2011

Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne wants a special prosecutor in the Wisconsin Supreme Court "choking" incident.

The Wisconsin State Journal reports:
... Ozanne said he has received reports from the Dane County Sheriff's Office regarding the alleged June 13 incident, in which Prosser is alleged to have choked Bradley in her office after Bradley told him to leave....
The report, according to the WSJ, which interviewed Ozanne, does not "make any recommendation on whether to charge anyone."
Ozanne said he was requesting that a special prosecutor be appointed because of his role in litigation that was connected to the alleged incident. At the time of the incident, the Supreme Court was deciding an open meetings lawsuit brought by Ozanne that involved a law stripping most public workers of most collective bargaining rights...
Ozanne is asking a Dane County Judge to make the appointment, so he "can be free from accusations to ensure the public's trust in the system and to allow the incident to be reviewed on the merits with no appearance of political motivation for any decision or outcome."
The Dane County Sheriff's Office investigated the alleged incident at the request of Capitol Police Chief Charles Tubbs. Sheriff Dave Mahoney, also a Democrat, removed himself from any personal involvement in the investigation.
When will this hot potato ever stop getting tossed around?
Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Elise Schaffer said Monday that she did not know why it took more than a month to complete the investigation. But Ozanne said it wasn't his impression that the pace of the investigation was unusual.
Come on. There were 6 Supreme Court justices witnessing the incident. How long could it take to interview them? What else was relevant? The whole sorry history of the discord among the justices? Either there is some strange complexity to the case or people are deliberately dragging things out.

56 comments:

paminwi said...

Ozanne wants a Dane County judge to make the appointment of the special prosecutor. Maybe he should ask Mariann Sumi to be the judge that makes the appointment!

Ann Althouse said...

He's asked the Chief Judge, Foust.

Calypso Facto said...

Ozanne is asking a Dane County Judge to make the appointment, so he "can be free from accusations to ensure the public's trust in the system"

a. too late
b. nothing ensures trust in the system like appointment by a Dane County judge elected from the state's most leftist district

KCFleming said...

DA Ismael Ozanne

"Call me Ishtar.

For this is one of those disheartening instances where the desired truth requires full as much bolstering as a most obvious error.
"

Scott M said...

Illustrating, yet again, the dire need for Precrime.

MayBee said...

Maybe there was some sort of erotic asphyxia involved. That's why nobody wants to talk about it.

Michael K said...

The Democrats cannot get used to the idea that Wisconsin actually elected Republicans ! If only they have a chance to think, they will change their minds !

The recall elections might put an end to this but, with Democrats, one never knows.

Anonymous said...

I suppose there is plentiful foot dragging because, no matter the outcome of the investigation, somebody in the WI SC needs to resign. And the longer it takes to find out who, the longer that person has to grow old and retire and pass away.

edutcher said...

I guess he wants Patrick Fitzgerald.

Ann Althouse said...

He's asked the Chief Judge, Foust.

Now there's a Satan sandwich in the making.

(had to...)

ignatzk said...

All the time I hear people at the university say things like "... well just get a good Madison judge on the case, and things will take care of themselves".

Anonymous said...

Now there's a Satan sandwich in the making.

(had to...)


You totally stole my line-

traditionalguy said...

Being charged with a crime of violence has a bad effect on one's reputation.

This Prosser guy is being charged with the possibility of having a criminal charge made against him for what he did.

Being cleared of charges at an early preliminary hearing for cause is the appropriate next step.

But he has to be charged first

IMO Wisconsin politics is out to get its pound of flesh from the headlines about the charges alone, until the next election, and then the next.

They may have to stay over a while in Illinois to ruminate and do seances about the horrible charge.

And then there will be interviews about the likelihood of the charge, being made sometime tomorrow.

Or the Dems maybe waiting for Prosser to be seen losing it again.

Anonymous said...

Everything takes too long nowadays. A train has a little accident and the authorities promise within hours that they'll have a report out about what happened in a year or so. It seems like nothing takes as long as it should, rather it takes as long as it seems it should. Taking a month to issue the report probably makes it look judicial in their eyes. "See, we thought about it real hard." Yes, I blame the lawyers.

WV: scentl - Barbra Streisand, nose, ...

Fred4Pres said...

Can't Mariann Sumi be judge and chief prosecutor. I hear she's got a little list.

Automatic_Wing said...

Judge Judy could sort all this out in one 8 minute segment.

hoop said...

If you want to speed the process up a little bit, just pull Bradley and Prosser off the bench while the investigation continues and let Walker appoint a couple interim justices to fill the seats. It's a pretty routine thing to do in a lot of other lines of work when investigations are going on.

But a 5-2 court advantage (even temporarily) would diminish the incentive to drag this out for the sake of demonizing Prosser. Additionally, if one or both of these justices has to permanently leave the court on account of the results of the investigation, you'd now have field trials on two potential replacement candidates.

chickelit said...

FWIW, there is such a thing as a choke sandwich.

Curious George said...

traditionalguy said...
Being charged with a crime of violence has a bad effect on one's reputation.

This Prosser guy is being charged with the possibility of having a criminal charge made against him for what he did.

Being cleared of charges at an early preliminary hearing for cause is the appropriate next step.

But he has to be charged first

IMO Wisconsin politics is out to get its pound of flesh from the headlines about the charges alone, until the next election, and then the next.

They may have to stay over a while in Illinois to ruminate and do seances about the horrible charge.

And then there will be interviews about the likelihood of the charge, being made sometime tomorrow.

Or the Dems maybe waiting for Prosser to be seen losing it again."

Let me lend you the word "Accused".

garage mahal said...

"I'm sure the liberals will try to make a mountain out of a molehill in an attempt to distract voters' attention from the issues,"

If it isn't one thing it's another with these libruls. Always complaining about trivial stuff!

Triangle Man said...

The Democrats cannot get used to the idea that Wisconsin actually elected Republicans ! If only they have a chance to think, they will change their minds !

My life-long Wisconsin Republican relatives aren't thrilled with Walker and many of the newbies. The Milwaukee environs are at least as foreign to the rest of Wisconsin as Dane County is.

alan markus said...

MayBee @ 3:56:

Such at this?
Video Reenactment of Prosser/Bradley Erotic Asphyxia Incident

The Crack Emcee said...

This is hilarious, considering there is no case.

Wisconsin's nutty.

Carol_Herman said...

Isn't today, August 1st, supposed to be the day Prosser gets sworn in for another ten year term?

Did little Ishmael miss peeing on the swearing in ceremony? Is he a day late and a dollar short?

Or is my calendar different from the one that is used in Wisconsin?

garage mahal said...

Or is my calendar different from the one that is used in Wisconsin?

I think the calendar you use is not from this universe.

Fred4Pres said...

Wisconsin's cheesey.

Calypso Facto said...

Prosser's new term started yesterday at noon. He probably didn't share any cake with Bradley though.... afraid she'd choke on it.

wv: comic. Heh.

Conserve Liberty said...

Unfortunately Wisconsin is a failed state.

Unknown said...

Investigation will be dropped after recall elections.

Joe said...

There is no case, so the DA wants someone to dig up dirt and make a case. That's all this is about--overzealous prosecution of someone, anyone.

traditionalguy said...

Curious George...The accusation is a written charge from a Prosecutor.

The indictment is also a written charge from the Prosecutor using a Grand Jury's findings.

The investigation that interviews known witnesses is the investigation.

My point is that the Prosser prosecution headlines week after week, imply that a charge is pending.

When the person that acted is known, no one has ever heard of an investigation pending (unless a lab reports is outstanding.)

And the person about to be charged with horible conduct cannot file a motion for a speedy investigation.

chickelit said...

Conserve Liberty said...
Unfortunately Wisconsin is a failed state.

It's mainly just Deign County, refusing to live within its miens.

1775OGG said...

As Justice Feingold said, recently: "It's not over til we win!" So this will continue for at least a decade or two!

wv: sties go to the Progressive, at least in Minnesota.

Anonymous said...

If Ozanne made a decision not to prosecute it would be seen as impartial. He might be taking his life into his hands from a fellow radical citizen of Madison if he didn't prosecute so he's passing the buck.

Calling for a Special Prosecutor is calling for a prosecution.

Fred4Pres said...

They want to dip Prosser in fondue. If he floats the fondue rejects him and he is a witch. If he sinks, he is not. It is the Wisconsin way.

Paddy O said...

If only we knew what Matt Damon thinks about this.

Also, what Andy Williams thinks.

How are we suppose to form our opinions if our big time entertainers from now and yore don't get their opinions out there quickly?

Paddy O said...

Do Bradley and Prosser fondue?

David said...

Strange complexity--you better believe it.

Fred4Pres said...

Do Bradley and Prosser fondue?


They do, but not in a fun way.

Fred4Pres said...

Paddy O, did you see Captain America?

Fred4Pres said...

I do not need to bother to ask Matt Damon what he thinks, I know he is wrong. Like his choice of being in The Adjustment Bureau.

Matt Damon.

Michael Haz said...

Ozanne is asking a Dane County Judge to make the appointment, so he "can be free from accusations to ensure the public's trust in the system"

Translation into normal-speak:

Ozanne is begging anyone else to make the appointment because there is no probable cause, so he "can be free from the shit would never let him again hold elective office in Dane County if he kicked this loose."

Mr. T. said...

"Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne wants a special prosecutor in the Wisconsin Supreme Court "choking" incident."

Let me! Let me! Let me! Let me!
I am currently unemployed, have nothing do right now, and I could REALLY use the money. I'd be a great prosecutor and am ready to take out the "hoodlums."

Please! Dane County-you deserve me.

-M. Nifong-

Paddy O said...

Fred, yeah, last evening. The quote was still fresh in my head.

I liked it a lot. As good a Captain America move as could be done, I think. They didn't do the internationalistic dismissing of America that seems to happen so often.

Carol_Herman said...

Calypso Facto at 5:11 PM

Prosser's new term started yesterday? The building was open sunday so he could be sworn in?

If so, did they also do a few weddings?

Isn't there a complaint in front of Wisconsin's judicial system? You know, where a Bar is NOT a saloon?

What happened to Prosser's complaint? It's never been published.

I wonder if at least there was a photographer, so Prosser can have a souvenier photo from his "swearing in."

"To be sworn in ... do lawyers stand around and just shout out FUCK, FUCK, FUCK ... to duly swear the judge into place? Were any women present?

Does it count if Bradley and Abrahamson swear they never saw a thing?

Can Abrahamson order Prosser's office doors sealed shut? Who gives orders to the janitors?

Is the swearing in on a sunday evening considered overtime?

Calypso Facto said...

Carol, all the Wisc SC Judge terms run from 12pm July 31, Year X to 11:59pm July 31, Year X+10, unless interrupted.

But the swearing in ceremony apparently took place Tuesday, July 26th in Appleton. Leave it to the rabid lefties to be following his every move (but not knowing how to spell "term").

Carol_Herman said...

It's not a "swearing in" unless you've got a robed wonder shouting out FUCK, FUCK, FUCK. And, you reply, "yes."

I'm glad Prosser is sworn in. I have no idea where Appleton is. Or what it is like. A town? A village? And, whether the ceremony took place in an "official building," indoors. Accoutrement? Or requirements? A wood-paneled office? A Town mayor? A photographer?

Since his new term, itself, starts today. I had just assumed it would begin with a little ceremony. I guess there's no overlap in that he did it early, because the Supreme Court is closed for the summer. Do they wait for the first Monday in October to start their next session?

Who administered the oath? Governor Walker? The Mayor of Appleton?

traditionalguy said...

Did Carol just say someone swore at Justice Prosser?

That would not be news.

frank said...

Madison makes Washington look good as Obama makes Carter look good.

David said...

" I have no idea where Appleton is."

Very nice place, in the Fox River Valley. Industry, scenery, Lake Oshkosh, Lawrence College.

Visit some day, Carol, while you are still able to travel. You would like it.

marylynn said...

Hi Dave and Carol,
Actually its Lake Winnebago, not Lake Oshkosh ... but yes, a nice area. Part of the Fox River Valley, with the beautiful (in places) Fox flowing to Green Bay, Lake Michigan 40 minutes East, our beloved Lambeau 20 minutes North, other than our long winters it doesnt get much better than here.

Steve Koch said...

It is a difficult situation for Ozanne. Prosecuting Prosser could lead to Prosser's replacement on the Supreme Court being selected by Walker. This would be very bad for the Dems since Prosser is such an easy target for the Dems and is certain not to be relected for another term.

Not prosecuting Prosser is the smart play for the Dems but it is likely that many witless Wisconsin Dems don't realize this and would make it tough on Ozanne if he cleared Prosser.

Ozanne likely slow played this investigation so there would be enough time for Prosser to be sworn in for another term (which should have eliminated the pressure for Ozanne to prosecute Prosser).

Ozanne did not want to prosecute Prosser because it was very unlikely that Prosser would be convicted and that, in the unlikely event that Prosser was convicted, the conviction would be disadvantageous for the Dems.

It is inexplicable that Gov Walker permitted Charles Tubbs to hand this investigation off to Dane County (unless Walker was trying to force the hapless Prosser to resign, which seems unlikely).

Curious George said...

"Steve Koch said...
It is a difficult situation for Ozanne. Prosecuting Prosser could lead to Prosser's replacement on the Supreme Court being selected by Walker. This would be very bad for the Dems since Prosser is such an easy target for the Dems and is certain not to be relected for another term."

Prosser is 68 and starting a ten year term, so he likely will not run again. That said, you may remember that Prosser was an easy target for the Dems, who went "all hands on deck" against him. And he won.

Anonymous said...

The "Law & Order" crews would have had this wrapped up in less than an hour.

Jim at Polimerican.com said...

OK I'll speculate:

He knows it was Bradley, or that at the very least she has unclean hands. But he doesn't want to be the one to say so for fear of his own political future. So he's going to call a special prosecutor in order to avoid having being the one to say so.

If this was really about an apparent conflict of interest, he would have had appointed a special prosecutor immediately. It's not like he just suddenly realized that the conflict existed.

If it was Prosser, he would have charged him and been a hero to Leftists all over the state. His political future would have been assured.

Unknown said...

Paddy O --

"If only we knew what Matt Damon thinks about this."

You are so not up on things. Andy Dick is the new fountainhead.

Gene said...

I don't think a special prosecutor is near strong enough. We need a portable gallows to park next to the courtroom so the sentence can be carried out the instance a righteous verdict is in.