WI SC Justice Prosser allegedly grabbed fellow justice by the neck

[PeaceNikki]

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser allegedly grabbed fellow Justice Ann Walsh Bradley around the neck in an argument in her chambers last week, according to several knowledgeable sources.

Details of the incident, investigated jointly by Wisconsin Public Radio and the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, remain sketchy. The sources spoke on the condition that they not be named.

They say an argument that occurred before the court's release of a decision upholding a bill to curtail the collective bargaining rights of public employees culminated in a physical altercation in the presence of other justices. Bradley purportedly asked Prosser to leave her office, whereupon Prosser grabbed Bradley by the neck with both hands.

Justice Prosser, contacted Friday afternoon by the Center, declined comment: "I have nothing to say about it." He repeated this statement after the particulars of the story -- including the allegation that there was physical contact between him and Bradley -- were described. He did not confirm or deny any part of the reconstructed account.

More at link: http://wpr.org/news/newsheadlines.cfm

He obviously hates women. Remember when he called Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson a bitch?

[CurtEastPoint]

1. 68 years old and never married. Apparently, doesn't play well with women.

Nasty piece of work.

[PeaceNikki]

2. He should be criminally charged.

Terrible. :(

[aquart]

6. But first, a complete checkup with a brain scan.

Maybe we don't have to keep him after all.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

13. aha! I see where you're going with this :)

I hadnt thought of a physical condition doing him in as a SCJ - just criminal actions & mental instability... One way or another, this just may be his UNSEATING!!

[aquart]

18. Concerned citizens should beg that he be fully checked out.

For his own sake as well as others.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

21. I love it

:bounce: :woohoo:

[eShirl]

17. and she should get a restaining order

[Warpy]

26. Yeah, that would get him charged with assault

if it had been me. I don't care what kind of silly outfit he's wearing.

[undeterred]

11. Nasty way to judge a person.

Our retiring Senator, Herb Kohl, is 76 and never married.

[aquart]

3. Yeah, but this is a scary loss of impulse control.

He's 68. He needs to see his doctor.

[PeaceNikki]

5. Thugs. All of them. Teabaggers punched a peaceful solidarity singer last week knocking his tooth out

and that was instigated by a former Republican state Senator.

[aquart]

8. Evil. Awful. But different.

He's been a judge a long time. He's just been through a stressful campaign. He ain't young.

If he's never laid hands on a fellow judge before, my first instinct says he needs to see a doctor. He may have brain deterioration that will render him permanently unfit to serve.

[malaise]

12. You mean

ReTHUG!
:hi:

[eowyn_of_rohan]

7. naaa. He's been flying off the handle for years

when did he call Shirley Abrahamson a bitch?

[aquart]

9. Any other PHYSICAL assaults?

[eowyn_of_rohan]

10. Not sure about that, aquart

[aquart]

15. Loss of impulse control could mean brain damage.

Which could mean a handy dandy poor fellow, we feel so sorry about this way to get rid of him.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

16. Whatever it takes!! :D -nt

[Octafish]

4. Holy smokes!

It's almost unbelievable. The NAZI Prosser let his true authoritarian nature shine through for all to see.

Thank you for the heads-up, PeaceNikki!

[PufPuf23]

14. Judge Bradley should press assault charges and a RO against Prosser nt

[Ellipsis]

19. This needs to go viral. If this becomes a national story he's done.

Especially with Justice Abrahamson's decent.


He'd be toast.

...guess there is more then one way to skin a cat.

[PeaceNikki]

20. Agreed. Pass it on.

[Strelnikov_]

22. Get a criminal investigation started, other Justices will have no choice

to relate what happened, even if they wanted to sweep it under the rug, or risk charges.

[Ellipsis]

23. The "Capital Police" are involved. Captain Tubbs is a square shooter.

What this will do is bring Annette Ziegler in on this. She can't support him. Verbally assaulting and now physically accosting 2 female justices, he's done.

[PeaceNikki]

24. Tubbs is pretty awesome.

:)

[Ellipsis]

25. The capital is a whisper mill. There is no way, what went down won't get out.

Bill Lueders wrote this... Lueders won't let go of this, it's all ready top Wisconsin news, in less then an hour.

Interesting start to the morning.


mornin'

[senseandsensibility]

30. When you say top WI news, do you mean

it's on the local news there? Is it already on TV and in the local papers? That's great. This needs to be publicized.

[Ellipsis]

32. Papers, online, so far... still too fresh for local TV. I'd guess Milwaukee will have it at 6:00.

[gkhouston]

33. Legally, can they force him to step down, if the allegation is true?

'Cause if they can't, I don't see him being pressured into resigning.

[justiceischeap]

43. I'm doing my part on Twitter

Unfortunately, I don't have many followers:

[Ellipsis]

27. Mother Jones just picked it up

...along with Duluth, Lacrosse, Milwaukee and Madison.


http://motherjones.com/mojo/2011/06/report-wi-judge-allegedly-grabbed-colleague-neck-union-bill-decision


To be clear, the details of Prosser's alleged misconduct are still somewhat unclear. But if substantiated, these latest allegations aren't the first time Prosser has been accused of mistreating female judges. In early 2010, Prosser lashed out at Abrahamson in a closed-doors meeting, calling her a "bitch" and threatening to "destroy" her.

[PeaceNikki]

28. Good, it needs to stay front and center until he's held accountable,

[Ellipsis]

34. Huffingtonpost ...Allegedly Grabbed Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Bradley Before Union Law Ruling.

Bonk!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/25/david-prosser-ann-bradley-wisconsin-union-law_n_884516.html

[Ellipsis]

35. Think Progress: Four Ways Justice David Prosser Can Be Removed From Office

Earlier today, news broke that Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser allegedly grabbed fellow Justice Ann Walsh Bradley around the neck during argument in her chambers last week. If these allegations prove true, Prosser is guilty of a very serious crime. Under Wisconsin law, “hoever intentionally causes bodily harm or threatens to cause bodily harm to the person or family member of any judge . . . is guilty of a Class H felony,” except with certain exceptions that don’t apply here.

Sadly, this is not the first time Prosser stands accused of a sexist attack on one of his fellow justices — although it appears to be the first allegation where he actually laid hands on one of his colleagues. Last year, during an argument with Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson, Prosser called her a “bitch” and threatened to “destroy” her.

Like all accused criminals, Prosser enjoys a presumption of innocence and he should not be condemned until the evidence clearly shows that he is guilty. Should the allegations prove true, however, there are at least four paths to remove Justice Prosser from office:

http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2011/06/25/254183/four-ways-justice-david-prosser-can-be-removed-from-office/

[Ellipsis]

37. Gawker: ‘Bitch’-Destroying Justice Allegedly Grabbed Fellow Justice’s Neck

So, who knows. But it seems Prosser does harbor some animosity toward Bradley: In an email released in March, Prosser called Bradley and Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson "masters at deliberately goading people into perhaps incautious statements," and accused them of "bullying." Talk about projection! In the same email, Prosser also called Abrahamson a "bitch," and threatened to destroy her. Eventually he confirmed that he'd written the email and said he "probably overreacted," adding that he'd written the email immediately after robbing a bunch of liquor stores and gotten a Tasmanian devil tattoo (in our colorful imagination).

http://gawker.com/5815497/bitch+destroying-justice-allegedly-grabbed-fellow-justices-neck

[Ellipsis]

39. Forbes: Did Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Prosser Physically Attack A Fellow Court Member?

An investigation by Wisconsin Public Radio and The Wisconsin Center For Investigative Journalism has uncovered three ‘knowledgable sources’ who allege that Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser grabbed fellow Justice Ann Walsh Bradley around the neck during an argument in her chambers last week.

Well, that’s not something you read everyday.

While Prosser has been unwilling to either confirm or deny the report, the matter has allegedly been turned over to the Wisconsin Judicial Commission who is charged with investigating incidents of judicial misconduct.

According to the investigations, Justice Prosser and Justice Bradley were having an argument in her office at some point before the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s release of their controversial collective bargaining rights decision last week (it remains unclear as to when the alleged argument precisely took place). At a point, the sources reveal that Justice Bradley asked Prosser to leave her office – whereupon the allegations state that Prosser grabbed Bradley around the neck with both hands.

http://blogs.forbes.com/rickungar/2011/06/25/did-wisconsin-supreme-court-justice-prosser-physically-attack-a-fellow-court-member/

[Ellipsis]

40. The Nation. Wisconsin Governor Walker's Chief Judicial Defender is Accused of Physically Attacking A

http://www.thenation.com/blog/161653/wisconsin-governor-walkers-chief-judicial-defender-accused-phys

[PeaceNikki]

41. Thanks!! Milwaukee's own RW leaning paper reporting, too.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/124537284.html

[Ellipsis]

50. And of course the New York Times

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1363686

[PeaceNikki]

51. It was lead story on Milwaukee news this evening, too.

[Ellipsis]

52. It's God's will I tell ya. Unbelievable!

[gkhouston]

56. And do you know why it's happening? Because of that craptastic bill

that Walker keeps trying to shove down people's throats. Here's hoping a good dose of quick karma kicks Prosser's sorry ass right out of office.

[Ellipsis]

57. I can see the lord right now with the team.

It's Saturday they're all bored over at God's house sitting on the old overstuffed mohair sofa... and after smoking a big fatty during an early wake and bake go "hey wanna have some more fun with that Walker guy?

[gkhouston]

58. LOL, as far as I'm concerned, that can happen *every* day. n/t

[jpak]

29. GOP Thug - and he will get away with this

yup

[amborin]

31. scary

[senseandsensibility]

36. Maybe some WI locals can enlighten me.

It just seems like there must be more to this story. How can this happen in front of witnesses (other judges to boot) and be photographed, and not be a criminal matter? How can a (I am assuming liberal, progressive female judge) not press charges? What is going on?

[HereSince1628]

42. The photo that's circulated looks to be from the past

When Prosser appeared after the recount he didn't have nearly that much hair at the front of his head. He had a history of angry outbursts as an Assemblyman. Unless he's recently had hair implants that picture seems to be old.

The Wisconsin Judicial Commission intends that all investigations of judges remain hidden from the public until and unless it brings charges against a judge. It has a policy of making no statements on such matters.

There is reason to believe that the WJC is investigating, but has directed all parties to not make public statements. That would be 100% consistent with Prosser's formal response stating he neither confirmed nor denied the allegation.

[senseandsensibility]

45. Makes more sense now. Thanks.

I hope someone identifies the pic.

[senseandsensibility]

44. Thanks.

OOps! Meant to apply to the posterabove! I also read the link at PeaceNikki's post above, and it was very detailed and interesting. There were some very interesting quotes from the judge at the end of the article. Apparently, she had considered going to law enforcement about him even before this.

[Eyerish]

38. K&R

[Ellipsis]

46. Wow... a potential concession by Madison's conservative pundit David Blaska

Finally, on Justice Prosser, I will be very saddened and disappointed if the news is true. He may need to consider resigning, unfortunately. (Preferably the day after his swearing in to a new 10-year term so Governor Walker can appoint his successor.

[senseandsensibility]

47. What is this from, exactly?

I don't like the part about Walker appointing his successor.

[Ellipsis]

48. A comment he made on his blog

After the blog in comments @1:19
http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=33917

According to the statutes... walker can't.

But I wonder if this leaves consideration for Kloppenburg


8.50(4)(f)3.
3. If a vacancy in the office of justice, court of appeals judge or circuit judge occurs after the date of the spring election for that seat and before the succeeding August 1 as the result of the resignation of the incumbent and the incumbent is not elected to succeed himself or herself, the vacancy shall be filled by the individual who was elected at the regularly scheduled election. If no individual is elected at the regularly scheduled election or if the individual who is elected dies or declines to serve, the vacancy shall be filled under subd. 1.

8.50(4)(f)1.
1. Except as provided in subds. 2. and 3., a vacancy in the office of justice, court of appeals judge or circuit judge occurring in any year after the date of the spring election and on or before December 1 shall be filled, if in the office of circuit judge, at the succeeding spring election; if in the office of court of appeals judge, at the first succeeding spring election when no other court of appeals judge is to be elected from the same court of appeals district; or, if in the office of justice, at the first succeeding spring election when no other justice is to be elected. A vacancy in the office of justice, court of appeals judge or circuit judge occurring after December 1 and on or before the date of the succeeding spring election shall be filled, if in the office of circuit judge, at the 2nd succeeding spring election; if in the office of court of appeals judge, at the first spring election, beginning with the 2nd succeeding spring election, when no other court of appeals judge is to be elected from the same court of appeals district; or, if in the office of justice, at the first spring election, beginning with the 2nd succeeding spring election, when no other justice is to be elected.

[gkhouston]

55. Actually, according to the state constitution...

from http://judgepedia.org/index.php/Wisconsin_Constitution%2C_Article_VII:

Article VII, Section 9 of the Wisconsin Constitution is titled Judicial elections, vacancies. It reads:

"When a vacancy occurs in the office of justice of the supreme court or judge of any court of record, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the governor, which shall continue until a successor is elected and qualified. There shall be no election for a justice or judge at the partisan general election for state or county officers, nor within 30 days either before or after such election."


That doesn't rule out the possibility of a special election (i.e., the appointment might not last for 10 years), but it does seem to give Walker the power to make an appointment.

[Matariki]

49. Got to pity his wife. If he's doing that to female colleagues....

What a pig.

[TorchTheWitch]

59. apparently, he's never been married n/t

[Odin2005]

53. What an asshat!!!

[seabeyond]

54. he had a woman almost beat him. then challenge him. now one dares to argue with him

and kick him out of her office. some men cant handle that well.