Officers Sentenced in Frank Jude Jr. Beating

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Fired Milwaukee police officers Jon Bartlett and Daniel Masarik today were sentenced to 17 and 15 years in federal prison for the beating of Frank Jude Jr.

A third former police officer, Andrew Spengler, 28, was scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Charles Clevert this afternoon.

Bartlett, the first to be sentenced, sat expressionless throughout the hearing. He read from a prepared statement in which he apologized to both Frank Jude and Lovell Harris, who were not there.

"I am truly sorry for what happened to each and I hope that they forgive me," he said. "I know my actions will never be forgotten but I hope they can forgive me as a person."

Bartlett said he had been overwhelmed by everything that had happened since the October 2004 beating and was afraid for his future in explaining his subsequent actions of phoning in bomb threats and trying to buy firearms and ammunition. While he said he accepts responsibility for his actions, he continued to deny that he shoved a pen into Jude's ear.

He said he's lost his house, his cars, his motorcycles, his pet, every material object in his life and has been divorced by his wife.

He said that the time he has spent in jail he used to examine his life and has found God and reconnected with his family.

Reading a statement on behalf of Jude, attorney Jonathan Saffron called Bartlett's actions "those of a terrorist."

"You violated my civil rights and you attempted to kill me. You took my life. You are a disgrace to the police uniform," but added that he would pray for Bartlett's soul.

...Masarik's attorney, John Smith, had asked for a lesser penalty for his client.

Smith called it "a single 20-minute event in a 27-year life in which there was a group mentality, intoxication and a chaotic scene that escalated beyond control."

But Clevert issued a stinging rebuke of Masarik's behavior and that of other off-duty officers in the October 2004 incident.

Clevert said, "In my estimation it would be a traversty if I were to adopt the rationale discussed for a below-guidelines sentence.

"This case was so serious and has done so much damage and the defendant acted in a way the court believes requires harsh sentencing."

Finally, some closure on this incident.

The moral of the story: Don't beat up people.