State Crime and Court Roundup: Two men due in court for letting a pit bull attack an 18-year-old

• Judge's gavel

Judge's gavel

Talk about it

FOND DU LAC - Two men are due in court today for letting a pit bull attack an 18-year-old man in Fond du Lac as punishment for stealing things.

Charges have not filed against the two men – one of whom is the victim’s father. The incident happened six days ago in the town of Osceola. According to sheriff’s lieutenant Cameron McGee, a 58-year-old homeowner accused the teenager of theft and ordered his pit bull to attack the youngster as a quote, “means of interrogation.” After more questioning, the homeowner allegedly ordered to dog to attack a second time – this time, as his 43-year-old father from New Berlin was watching. Finally, McGee said the homeowner hung the 18-year-old from his ankles on his porch rafters – and the dog attacked the youngster again. And that time, the father may have taken part in the so-called “interrogation.” McGee said the teen was treated for dog bites throughout his body. The officer called it “shocking” that such an incident would take place – and that a teen’s father would watch it happen. Deputies asked prosecutors to charge both men with false imprisonment, aggravated battery, and negligent handling of a dangerous weapon. The father could be charged with failing to aid a victim. The homeowner could also be charged with bail jumping, for an unrelated incident earlier this year in which a dog was allowed to attack a woman.

__________________________________________________________________________

A state lawmaker spoke up for the seven protestors who were given citations yesterday for holding up signs without having the required permits. Milwaukee Assembly Democrat Christine Sinicki saw one protestor arrested for holding a sign that read, “It’s about freedom.” She said the group wasn’t hurting anyone – and as long as they’re not causing trouble, they should be left alone. Administration spokeswoman Stephanie Marquis said protestors are free to carry signs as long as they have permits. The arrests were made near a blood drive in the State Capitol Rotunda, for which the Red Cross obtained a permit. The arrests were the first under a policy that requires groups of four-or-more people to get permits for their activities. It’s part of an effort by new Capitol Police Chief David Erwin to restore “normalcy” after a year-and-a-half of protests and various harassment incidents, triggered by the Republican law that virtually ended most public union bargaining.

__________________________________________________________________________

State Assembly Democrat Brett Hulsey now says his recent disorderly conduct citation for an incident at a Madison beach might have been “politically motivated.” The Madison lawmaker told the Wisconsin State Journal yesterday that Mayor Paul Soglin’s administration might have been involved. Soglin refused comment, saying he would address the matter in a week-or-two. Hulsey pleaded no contest to a non-criminal citation, and was fined 114-dollars. He had been accused of flipping a nine-year-old boy’s inner-tube on July Fourth, and then taking his picture with his cell phone. Recently, Hulsey denied touching the boy. He said the pictures were meant to reflect a nice sunset, and he deleted them from his cell phone after the boy’s father raised a concern. The boy’s grandmother, Madison mayoral aide Sally Miley, saw the incident. She gave details to police. And according to the State Journal, a city park official told Miley about previous complaints involving Hulsey – including allegations that he stalked a lifeguard at another city park. But the park official told W-K-O-W T-V there were no written complaints about Hulsey, and he’s not aware of concerns about his behavior with a lifeguard. Hulsey has supported Mayor Soglin’s election opponents in the past – and Soglin endorsed a Hulsey opponent in a previous Assembly race. Hulsey said he feared the beach incident was politically motivated, but he would not go as far as calling it a conspiracy. He said police reports did not fully give his side of the story – but police officials say they stand by their reports, and they were reviewed by the district attorney and the state Justice Department.

__________________________________________________________________________

The State Justice Department is investigating an incident in which an Adams County sheriff’s deputy shot a 41-year-old man to death. It happened early yesterday outside the man’s home in the town of Preston. Sheriff Sam Wollin said his deputies had responded to a complaint that shots were being fired. Wollin said an armed man confronted officers outside his home – and a unnamed deputy ended up shooting-and-killing the man. The officer is on paid administrative leave, while the incident is being investigated. Other details, including the man’s name, were not immediately released.

__________________________________________________________________________

An E-M-T accused of having sexual contact with a patient in the back of a moving ambulance has pleaded innocent. 37-year-old Jodin Froeber of the Kenosha County town of Somers entered his plea yesterday in Racine County to second-degree sexual assault. Prosecutors said he fondled a 20-year-old female patient, lifted her skirt, and took pictures while she was subdued with medication while heading to a Racine hospital. The incident was reported in July of last year. Authorities said she was taken from a Girl Scout camp in Kenosha County after having a seizure. Prosecutors said Froeber was the only attendant in the rear of the ambulance at the time. He’s due back in court September 28th for a pre-trial conference.

Tags: crime and courts, news, crime, wisconsin