Frank Jude Jr. Verdict: Will Milwaukee Explode?

On Sunday Insight with Charlie Sykes, regular panelist Mikel Holt had some disturbing words about the Frank Jude Jr. trial.

He warned about community reaction if the four defendants are acquitted in the racially charged case, suggesting a strong possibility that the city would erupt with violence.

Fired officers Bartlett, 35, Spengler, 28, and Masarik, 27, along with suspended officer Ryan Packard, 27, are charged with violating the civil rights of Jude and Lovell Harris and assaulting them while acting as police officers. They each face up to 20 years in prison and $500,000 fines if convicted.

U.S. Attorney Steven Biskupic, who handled the case with two other prosecutors, spoke last and said there are no perfect witnesses. He urged the jurors to consider all the evidence and not put a microscope on one witness.

"Frank Jude was on Ellen St. expecting the basic protections of the law. He didn't get it. He has now come to this court to get it," Biskupic said. "Return a verdict of justice for Frank Jude."

After Biskupic made that statement, defense attorneys called for a mistrial with the jury out of the room, saying Biskupic's comments were inflammatory, and that it sounded like he was referring to a community group called Justice For Jude that formed after the beating.

Biskupic dismissed the defense claim, saying he prefaced it by mentioning the evidence. He also noted some members of Justice for Jude are unhappy with him, presumably for his prosecution of Ald. Michael McGee on bribery and extortion charges.

U.S. District Judge Charles Clevert denied the mistrial motion but reminded the jury when they returned not to be swayed by anything but the evidence.

Holt said if the jury does not convict, then he wouldn't want to be in Milwaukee when the verdict comes down.

That's a frightening thought.

When former Milwaukee police officers Andrew Spengler, Jon Bartlett and Daniel Masarik were found not guilty last year in the state Frank Jude beating trial, Holt told of just how close the city came to a meltdown.

I believe Holt's prediction could become reality.

If something like the end of the Juneteenth Day festival could be the scene of such violence, it's conceivable that a not guilty verdict in the federal Jude beating trial might elicit similar behavior or worse.

Holt's warning wasn't a threat. It was his assessment of the situation.

The situation is not good.