Wisconsin’s bail system is once again in the spotlight at the State Capitol.
A pair of Republican lawmakers yesterday said last week’s shooting of an off-duty Milwaukee police officer continues to show the need for higher bail in the state. Two of the suspects in that case were released on less than a thousand-dollars bail for earlier felony charges. State Rep. Janel Brandtjen said Milwaukee County’s low bail policy is making communities across the state less safe. State Senator Van Wangaarrd says he’ll host a hearing tomorrow on plans to require mandatory-minimum bail for certain crimes.
On that note, the Milwaukee police officer wounded in last week’s carjacking and robbery in the Third Ward is now out of the hospital and recovering at home. He left the hospital yesterday, the same day that prosecutors in Milwaukee filed formal charges against three teens in the case.
One of those teens, accused shooter 18-year-old Keasean Ellis-Brown, is looking at attempted homicide charges. The other two are looking at a mix of felony and misdemeanor charges. Ellis-Brown and another suspect were out on bail for other felony cases at the time of the shooting. Ellis-Brown’s bail was one thousand dollars, the other suspect was free on 500-dollars bail.
