Milwaukee County DA under fire for parade suspect's bail
MILWAUKEE - The Christmas parade was Sunday. The letter came Monday. Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm said the bail his office recommended for 29-year-old Darrell Brooks earlier this month was too low. Now, right-wing talkers and Republican politicians want the Democrat D.A. to pay the price.
"I think he’s absolutely responsible," said State Rep. Cindi Duchow (R-Delafield).
State Rep. Duchow is a Republican. Chisholm is a Democrat. So it is no surprise they would disagree in policy.
"This was not a little oops, this was a pretty darn big mistake," Duchow said. "I can’t imagine those parents sitting there with their kids, I mean… and I saw the… I’m sorry."
State Rep. Cindi Duchow (R-Delafield)
Duchow introduced a bill Tuesday to change the Wisconsin Constitution, allowing judges to consider public safety when setting the dollar amount of bail.
A day earlier, Chisholm issued a statement acknowledging the $1,000 bail posted by Brooks just days before the Waukesha Christmas Parade was too low.
Milwaukee County D.A. John Chisholm
"We can’t just keep opening up the doors and letting them out," Duchow said.
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On Wednesday, Nov. 24, the New York Post called out Milwaukee's "Woke DA."
Conservative radio host Jeff Wagner said Chisholm out to move on.
"These chickens are coming home to roost," Wagner said. "If Chisholm really wants to own up and take responsibility, the only decent thing to do would be to resign."
Right-wing political consultant Brian Fraley suggested Gov. Tony Evers ought to take him out.
"Do you believe this is serious enough that the DA should resign or be removed from office?" asked FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn.
"I would prefer not to comment on that. I think if I were in his shoes, I would think maybe it’s time I stepped aside," Duchow answered.
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Chisholm's number two, Chief Deputy D.A. Kent Lovern, said the district attorney was not available to talk on Wednesday. But Lovern said he would have a lot more to say next week.
As for Rep. Duchow's bail legislation, she said because it calls for a change in the Wisconsin Constitution, it would have to pass two consecutive legislative sessions – and then be approved by voters at the ballot box. The soonest that could happen, Duchow said, is spring 2023.
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