My Quick Take on the Jude Verdict

When the verdicts came in, I was in the heart of what Alderman Michael McGee, Jr would call 'white Milwaukee.' I was leaving a bowling alley in Oak Creek, just south of Milwaukee. The universal reaction from this 95 percent Caucasian crowd could be summarized with the phrase: "You have got to be sh!+%^# me!"

There was no joy or OJ-style, racially tinged celebration. Quite the opposite, actually.

Subsequent conversations with family and friends over the weekend were similar. A few folks who followed the trial more closely (watching Court TV and reading testimony on the Internet, etc) were equally dismayed but not as shocked. They said the evidence and witnesses presented wasn't as strong as they had expected.

The most common question was "Why were 3 only officers charged in the Jude beating if there were at least 10 cops at the party who could have at least stopped it?"

I know this is an apples/oranges comparison as it pertains to seriousness and significance; however, Milwaukee County District Attorney E. Michael McCann's reaction to his loss in the courtroom reminded me of something.

Remember Bud Selig's reaction at the end of the tied All-Star game at Miller Park?

He shrugged his shoulders, expressed his shared concern with the fans and basically asked "Well, what could I do?"

The jury can only rule on the evidence before it. The prosecution lost this case. McCann showing up and expressing empathy doesn't change that.

And it's a damn shame.

Perhaps an assistant DA should handle the retrial of Jon Bartlett.



Photo: From The AP
As appeared onCNNSI