Two Wisconsin Justices to Go to Court Over June Brawl

By Samantha Abernethy in News on Aug 26, 2011 9:40PM

During the contentious political fight in Wisconsin earlier this year, two Wisconsin Supreme Court justices entered a physical brawl, and now one has filed a lawsuit against the other. Liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley says conservative Justice David Prosser put her in a "chokehold." Prosser doesn't disagree. But he contends he didn't squeeze, and it was simply a reflex because she charged at him with a clenched fist. No criminal charges have been filed, but a district attorney has taken up Walsh Bradley's case as a special prosecutor.

The argument happened during the political fight over Republican Gov. Scott Walker's law eliminating public workers' union rights. Prosser and three other conservative justices entered Walsh Bradley's chambers where she was speaking with Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson. Heated words were exchanged. The Tribune writes:

Walsh Bradley, 61, said she got up from her desk and walked toward Prosser, saying, "Buddy, don't raise your voice again. I'm no longer willing to put up with this." She said she got face-to-face with him, pointed at her door and said, "You get out of my office."

Prosser, 68, then grabbed her by the neck in what she called a "chokehold," but she told detectives she didn't remember Prosser squeezing or applying any pressure. Justice Patience Roggensack separated the two.

Well, you can't say the justices lack passion for their positions. This is the political climate we live in now. But perhaps next time skip the cage match, ok?