Friday, April 19, 2024
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Friday, April 19, 2024

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Brown Deer Shooting Suspect Larvell Huddleston’s Criminal History: Jury Trial Delayed Over COVID

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Larvell Huddleston has an open firearm-related criminal case that was repeatedly delayed because of COVID policies and jury trial backlogs.

Multiple police sources said police believe that Larvell Huddleston is the gunman in the Brown Deer active shooter incident that left three people dead (including the 26-year-old suspect) and one wounded on Feb. 5, 2022. Although the police chief initially said in a news conference that authorities are not sure a man streaming during the incident on Facebook live was the suspect, he later confirmed that police were aware of a Facebook Live stream during the incident. The man streamed from Larvell Huddleston’s Facebook page, which has now been taken down entirely, and he spoke about shooting at cops during the live stream. The three sources say police believe he was the shooter, although his name has not been officially released yet. You can see the Facebook live video here.

You can see drone images and video from the scene throughout this story.

Brown Deer police now say that they believe the suspect killed himself, and it all stemmed from a domestic dispute. The others shot and killed were a white male, 31, and a black female, 23. It’s not clear whether any of the victims were shot randomly, but it involved a hallway, second-floor apartment, and balcony.

It turns out that Larvell Huddleston has an open criminal case in Milwaukee County. He does not have a prior criminal record in Wisconsin, a review of online court records shows. His Facebook page, which has been removed, said he is from Chicago. It’s not possible to do a national criminal record search if you’re not law enforcement, and Cook County records are not all online. The chief said he wasn’t aware of a criminal record.

Wisconsin court records show a pending case.

The Wisconsin court records reveal that he was released on a $250 signature bond in a pending carrying a concealed weapon case, which is a misdemeanor charge. His jury trial was supposed to take place in July 2021, but it was delayed repeatedly. Even though the case was filed in October of 2020, the latest jury trial date was not until March 2022.

Friends shared this music video.

Before that could happen, Larvell Huddleston remained on the street free. It’s not the first time that court cases have been delayed repeatedly due to backlogs and COVID policies in the Milwaukee County courthouse. We were first to report that Milwaukee County has two-year felony backlogs. Milwaukee County, even in late December 2021, was not operating at full capacity for jury trials because of social distancing policies limiting the number of courtrooms that could hold them. All of these decisions meant that old jury trials continued to be delayed.


Larvell Huddleston Criminal History: A Pending Case

Here is the timeline for Larvell Huddleston’s open misdemeanor carrying a concealed weapon case:

Oct. 7, 2020: A criminal complaint was filed.

Oct. 8, 2020: A hearing was adjourned when Huddleston was “on Zoom but did not connect to audio or video.”

The case was assigned to Judge Jonathan Richards, a former Democratic legislator from Milwaukee.

Jonathan richards
Jonathan richards

Nov. 24, 2020: Larvell Huddleston appeared in court with attorney William Anthony Rakestraw for his initial appearance. A student intern appeared for the state under the supervision of an assistant prosecutor. Richards set bail as a signature bond of $250 and ordered Larvell Huddleston to not possess a concealed weapon without a permit.

Dec. 7, 2020: The public defender appointed counsel.

Dec. 16, 2020: A pretrial conference was held. The defense had received some discovery and an offer from the state. The defense requested a status date to “determine case posture.”

Jan. 5. 2021: A status conference was held. The defense requested a motion hearing date. The state wanted it filed before or on Feb. 3, 2021.

Jan. 25, 2021: a motion to suppress was filed.

Feb. 3, 2021: the state responded to the motion.

Feb. 4, 2021: There was a motion hearing. A Milwaukee police officer testified for the state. A decision was scheduled for March 3, 2021.

Feb. 17, 2021: The state filed a supplemental brief.

March 3, 2021: The court denied the defense motion. The defense requested jury trial dates. A jury trial was scheduled for July 7, 2021.

June 8, 2021: There was an adjourned hearing. The court records say, “Case in Court for Final Pretrial. Due to the COVID19 pandemic, Court vacated the Jury Trial scheduled for 07-07-2021. Case remains in trial posture. Any final pretrial documents must be filed by the Final Pretrial. This case will be heard via Zoom.”

Sept. 17, 2021: There was a defense motion to adjourn and a final pre-trial. The court records say: “Case remains in trial posture. Defense filed a motion to adjourn. No objection from the State. The Court Order to Vacate the Jury Trial set on October 4, 2021. Court ordered matter adjourned back to Branch 30. Jury Trial calendared on November 1, 2021 at 9:00 am 1st call via zoom.”

Nov. 1, 2021: There were further proceedings. The court records say, “Case scheduled for Jury Trial. First call: Parties ready to proceed. Case passed to address court calendar. Jury trial scheduled for November 2, 2021 at 08:30 am.”

Nov. 2, 2021: There were further proceedings. The court records say, “Case scheduled for Jury Trial. Second call: Parties ready to proceed. Case passed to address court calendar.”

“Case scheduled for Jury Trial. Third call: Court proceeding with another trial. Defense requests an adjourned Jury Trial date. Jury trial scheduled for March 14, 2022 at 09:00 am.”

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(The Center Square) – One of the biggest critics of Wisconsin’s election administrator says no one should be threatening her and says threats don’t help fix election integrity issues.

State Rep. Janel Brandtjen, R-Menomonee Falls, on Tuesday offered her thoughts after the Wisconsin Elections Commission confirmed elections administrator Meagan Wolfe is receiving extra security protection.

"Threatening Administrator Meagan Wolfe, or any election official, is unacceptable and counterproductive. Venting frustrations on individuals like Wolfe, clerks, or poll workers is not only illegal but also harmful to rebuilding trust in our elections,” Brandtjen said. “Threats only undermine our republic and empower the courts and media. It's essential to address any concerns about election processes through legal channels. Threats have no place in our democracy.”

Brandtjen has been one of Wisconsin’s loudest critics of Wolfe. She led hearings as far back as 2021 into Wolfe’s role in the 2020 election. Brandtjen also led the push to get Wolfe removed from the Elections Commission.

“Wolfe’s term has indeed expired, and according to Wisconsin Statutes 15.61(1)(b)1, she should be removed, but Republicans are too worried about the press or too compromised to follow existing law.” Brandtjen said.

The Wisconsin Elections Commission on Monday clarified that Wolfe is receiving extra security but refused to offer any details.

“The Wisconsin Elections Commission has had productive conversations about safety and security with state leadership, including the governor’s office, which is tasked with approving security measures for state government officials,” WEC spokesperson Riley Vetterkind said in a statement. “Those conversations have resulted in additional security measures being approved for Administrator Wolfe and the WEC when the need arises.”

Brandtjen on Tuesday blamed Wisconsin Republicans, and once again blamed Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, for Wolfe’s continued time on the Elections Commission.

“It's disappointing that Sen. Dan Knodl and Rep. Scott Krug, chairs of the election committees, have not exercised their investigative and subpoena powers. This inaction has allowed the neglect of essential laws, such as providing ballots to individuals declared incompetent, lack of checks in military ballot requests, an insecure online system, and improper guidance on voting for homeless individuals without proper documentation,” she said. “The Legislature, particularly Speaker Vos' control, is responsible for the frustration caused by election irregularities due to their inaction.”

Wisconsin’s local election managers have reported an uptick in threats and angry rhetoric since the 2020 election, and some local election offices have taken extra precautions. But there haven’t been any cases in Wisconsin where someone has acted on an election threat.

Wisconsin’s Largest Business Group Sues Over Evers’ 400-year School Funding Veto

(The Center Square) – There is now a legal challenge to Gov. Tony Evers’ 400-year school funding veto.

The WMC Litigation Center on Monday asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court to take up their challenge to the governor’s summer veto that increased per-pupil funding for the next four centuries.

“At issue is Gov. Evers’ use of the so-called ‘Vanna White’ or ‘pick-a-letter’ veto,” the group said in a statement. “The governor creatively eliminated specific numbers in a portion of the budget bill that was meant to increase the property tax levy limit for school districts in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 fiscal years. By striking individual digits, the levy limit would instead be increased from the years 2023 to 2425 – or four centuries into the future.”

The WMC Litigation Center is an affiliate of Wisconsin Manufactures & Commerce (WMC), the combined state chamber and manufacturers’ association.

Litigation Center Executive Director Scott Rosenow said while Wisconsin’s governor has an incredibly powerful veto pen, there are limits.

“No Wisconsin governor has the authority to strike individual letters or digits to form a new word or number, except when reducing appropriations,” Rosenow said. “This action is not only unconstitutional on its face, but it is undemocratic because this specific partial veto allows school districts to raise property taxes for the next 400 years without voter approval.”

Wisconsin lawmakers and voters approved a constitutional amendment in 1990 that put limits on the governor’s veto power.

Rosenow and the WMC Litigation Center say the governor’s veto goes beyond those limits.

The legal challenge also raises the constitutional issue that all state spending has to originate with, and be approved by, the legislature.

“In no uncertain terms, 402 years is not less than or part of the two-year duration approved by the Legislature – it is far more,” concluded Rosenow. “The governor overstepped his authority with this partial veto, at the expense of taxpayers, and we believe oversight by the Court is necessary.”

The WMC Litigation Center is asking the Wisconsin Supreme Court to take the case as quickly as possible.

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Jury selection is set to begin Monday in the first-ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president.

Former President Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts related to charges he paid hush money to adult film actress Stormy Daniels through a lawyer and covered it up as a legal expense before being elected president.

Trump has attempted to delay the start of the New York state trial several times, including three longshot tactics judges rejected this week.

What charges does Trump face in the New York hush money case?

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has charged Trump with 34 counts of falsifying business records related to money paid to Daniels and another woman, former Playboy model Karen McDougal. Bragg has alleged Trump broke New York law when he falsified with the intent to commit or conceal another crime.

Prosecutors allege Trump falsified internal records kept by his company, hiding the true nature of payments that involve Daniels ($130,000), McDougal ($150,000), and Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen ($420,000). Prosecutors allege the money was logged as legal expenses, not reimbursements. Both Cohen and Daniels are expected to testify.

Cohen is expected to be a key witness in the trial. Daniels has said she expects to testify.

Former Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., Bragg's predecessor, did not bring the case to trial.

What happens on Monday?

Prosecutors, defense attorneys and Donald Trump are expected to be present when the trial before Judge Juan Merchan gets started Monday. The first step will be picking a jury, a process that could take a week or more depending on how things progress. The trial is expected to last six to eight weeks.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys will select 12 jurors and six alternates from a pool of potentially hundreds of people. Each juror will answer 42 questions designed to determine if they can be impartial in the high-profile trial of a polarizing former president. The jurors will remain anonymous because of security concerns.

Once a jury is seated, it's on to opening statements where prosecutors and defense attorneys will get to address the jury about what they plan to show during the trial.

What is Trump's defense to the charges?

Trump has maintained he did nothing wrong and has accused Bragg of bringing a politically motivated case involving conduct in 2016 during a presidential election year as Trump faces incumbent Joe Biden in a rematch of the 2020 election.

Trump has spoken out against the judge, the district attorney and other involved in the case repeatedly. Trump's comments prompted a gag order from the judge who said Trump can't talk publicly about certain people involved in the case and their families.

"The White House Thugs should not be allowed to have these dangerous and unfair Biden Trials during my campaign for President. All of them, civil and criminal, could have been brought more than three years ago. It is an illegal attack on a Political Opponent. It is Communism at its worst, and Election Interference at its Best. No such thing has ever happened in our Country before," Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social this week. "On Monday I will be forced to sit, GAGGED, before a HIGHLY CONFLICTED & CORRUPT JUDGE, whose hatred for me has no bounds. All of these New York and D.C. 'Judges' and Prosecutors have the same MINDSET. Nobody but this Soros Prosecutor, Alvin Bragg, wanted to take this ridiculous case. All legal scholars say it is a sham. BIDEN'S DOJ IS RUNNING THE CASE. Just think of it, these animals want to put the former President of the United States (who got more votes than any sitting President!), & the PARTY'S REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE, IN JAIL, for doing absolutely nothing wrong. It is a RUSH TO THE FINISH. SO UNFAIR!"

Will Trump take the stand?

That's not clear yet. Trump said last month that he'd be willing to testify at trial if needed.

Could Trump go to jail?

It's too earlier to tell what will happen if Trump is convicted. Under New York state law, falsifying business records in the first degree is a Class E felony that carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison.

Trump's age and lack of any prior criminal convictions could work in his favor at sentencing if he's convicted. His attacks on the judge could have the opposite effect at sentencing. Before sentencing, the judge would look at sentencing guidelines, recommendations from prosecutors and any other pre-sentence reports.

In late March, Trump said that he wasn't worried about a conviction when asked if he thought a conviction could hurt his chances of returning to the White House.

"It could also make me more popular because the people know it's a scam," he said. "It's a Biden trial, there is no trial, there's a Biden trial."

Whatever happens during the trial, Trump will be protected by the U.S. Secret Service.

Even if convicted and sentenced to jail, Trump could continue his campaign to re-take the White House.

"The Constitution does not bar felons from serving as President," said Richard Hasen, professor of law and political science at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Trump could not pardon himself from any state charges, Hasen said.

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(The Center Square) – Wisconsin’s next supreme court race could be even more contentious and even more expensive than the last one.

Liberal Justice Anne Walsh Bradley on Thursday surprised the state when she announced she will not run for re-election next year.

"My decision has not come lightly. It is made after careful consideration and reflection. I know I can do the job and do it well. I know I can win re-election, should I run. But it's just time to pass the torch, bring fresh perspectives to the court," Walsh Bradley said in a statement.

She is one of Wisconsin’s longest serving justices, serving her third 10-year term on the court.

“In the 177-year history of the court, only four justices have served longer than my length of service,” she wrote.

Walsh Bradley’s decision means the next election will be open.

Former Republican attorney general, and current Waukesha County judge, Brad Schimel has already jumped into the race. There aren’t any declared Democrats yet.

Schimel on Thursday said Walsh Bradley’s decision isn’t changing anything for him.

“From the beginning of my campaign, I made it clear that I’m not just running against one person, I’m running against this Court’s leftist majority,” Schimel said. “I wish Justice Ann Walsh Bradley well in retirement after decades of public service. I look forward to continuing the fight to bring integrity and respect for the Constitution back to the Supreme Court of Wisconsin.”

Wisconsin’s last race for the supreme court, in April of 2023, set records for spending. The race between Justice Janet Protasiewicz and former Justice Dan Kelly cost more than $56 million. That makes the 2023 Wisconsin race the most expensive judicial race in American history. Many court observers and politicos in Wisconsin say the 2025 race could be just as expensive, or even more expensive.

Protasiewicz’s victory flipped the Wisconsin Supreme Court to a 4-3 liberal majority for the first time in 15 years.

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