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PDFNo charges will be brought against conservative Justice David Prosser, a well-known misogynist who refers to his female peers and superiors as “total bitch[es],” for allegedly grabbing liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley in a chokehold during a “discussion” about collective bargaining rights. Both Prosser and Bradley serve on the Wisconsin State Supreme Court. The special prosecutor, Patricia Barret, a Republican, has decided not to move forward with charges after a number of other officials recused themselves from the matter.
From the Journal Sentinel:
Bradley has said Prosser put her in a “chokehold” during a June argument over a case in her chambers. Others have said Bradley came at Prosser with fists raised and he put up his hands to block her or push her back.
The incident occurred June 13, a day before the deeply divided court issued a 4-3 ruling upholding Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s legislation curtailing collective bargaining for public employees. That case started when Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne brought a lawsuit claiming a legislative committee violated the state’s open meetings law in March in forwarding the legislation to the state Senate. Ozanne sought to invalidate the law, and implementing it was delayed for months while the case was pending. The high court ultimately ruled key parts of the meetings law do not apply to lawmakers.
Once news of the altercation between Prosser and Bradley surfaced, the Dane County Sheriff’s Department launched an investigation. The office gave its findings to Ozanne this month but made no recommendations on whether anyone should be charged. Ozanne, a Democrat, then asked Dane County Circuit Chief Judge William Foust to name a special prosecutor because Ozanne had brought the case the two justices were arguing about when the incident occurred.
Earlier this month, Foust selected Barrett to take the case, and Barrett sent the fax to Foust Thursday saying she wouldn’t file charges.
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