Kleefisch, Wanggaard Want Answers
Joint Public Safety Hearing called in response to misplaced evidence

MADISON – Senator Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) and Representative Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc), chairs of the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee and Assembly Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, announced today that they will be holding a joint informational hearing in response to recent reports of vast missing criminal evidence in Milwaukee County.

“This data loss could jeopardize hundreds of criminal prosecutions,” said Wanggaard. “If prosecutors are dismissing or pleading down cases because of this problem, we need answers to prevent this from occurring again.”

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn, Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clark, Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisolm, Milwaukee Police Association President Michael Crivello and Attorney General Brad Schimel have all been invited. The objective of this hearing is to understand the breadth and effect of the missing evidence on pending criminal cases.

“As Milwaukee’s crime rate continues to rise, we must do everything we can to ensure criminals see the hand of justice.” Kleefisch said. “It is essential we hear from Milwaukee’s leaders so that we may better understand the nature of this problem.”

 The hearing is preliminarily scheduled for Wednesday May 20th at 12:00pm.

 

Joel Kleefisch

Chairman Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

 

Van Wanggaard

Chairman Judiciary and Public Safety Committee