Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) criticized “Catch and Release” policies in a Fox News interview, saying that’s how situations like the one in Waukesha develop. Johnson said that those policies that release “dangerous criminals” back into society need to be reworked both for border security and within the United States justice system.
The Waukesha Christmas Parade was a horrific tragedy. But it never should have happened.
We need to start asking questions about why our criminal justice system is releasing violent criminals. pic.twitter.com/fxpEPTyh6E
— Senator Ron Johnson (@SenRonJohnson) November 23, 2021
Darrell Brooks, the driver of the red SUV that intentionally struck down and killed people at the Waukesha Christmas parade has a rap sheet beginning over two decades ago and had just been released on $1,000 bail days prior to the incident.
Johnson told Fox News that part of the tragedy of the situation was that “this probably never should have happened.” Johnson said he believes the criminal justice system is in need of reform.
“People need to start asking the tough questions about our criminal justice system releasing violent criminals,” Johnson said.
Brooks was charged with five counts of first-degree intentional homicide, with a sixth charge pending following the death of an 8-year-old in a hospital after he succumbed to his injuries. Sources say that over 60 individuals are suffering injuries from the attack, with several in critical condition.
Three weeks ago, Brooks was charged in a domestic abuse situation where he allegedly ran over the mother of his child with his vehicle, but was released on what the Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm’s office now says was an “inappropriately low” bail.
Fox News reported that Chisholm was “a self-described ‘progressive’” and has “championed left-leaning reforms and previously acknowledged that his proposals could result in a person being let go and committing murder.”
WTMJ 4 reported that an investigation conducted into Chisolm’s office found 45 domestic abuse cases from 2021 that also had bails set under $1,000.
Defense Attorney Julius Kim of Kim and LaVoy Attorneys at Law said in an interview that the primary purpose of bail is not to keep perpetrators in jail, but to make sure they actually attend court. “The primary purpose of bail under the law is to set a bail amount, a cash bail amount, to ensure a person’s return to court,” Kim said. “That’s it. Nothing more.”
– – –
Hayley Feland is a reporter with The Minnesota Sun and The Wisconsin Daily Star | Star News Network. Follow Hayley on Twitter or like her Facebook page. Send news tips to [email protected].
Photo “Arrested” by Ethan CC BY 2.0.
