| Spivak & Bice |
Cary Spivak &
Dan Bice
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Posted on 01/23/2005 8:03:05 AM PST by Jean S
Cary Spivak & Dan Bice E-MAIL | ARCHIVE |
The investigation into the Great Tire-Slashing Caper will end Monday with felony charges against the adult sons of two prominent Milwaukee politicians - U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore and former Acting Mayor Marvin Pratt.
Sources close to the 83-day-old probe said Sowande Omokunde, Michael Pratt and three other paid Democratic activists will each be charged with a single felony count of criminal damage to property, legalese for vandalism.
Omokunde, also known as Supreme Solar Allah, is the 25-year-old son of the rookie congresswoman. Pratt, 32, worked on Kerry's local campaign, which was chaired by his father.
Pratt, Omokunde and the other staffers will be accused of cutting the tires of some 20 vans and cars rented by the state Republican Party to usher the party faithful to and from the polls on election day. The charges will state that the damage to the vehicles was well in excess of $2,500 - the minimum required to merit a felony.
Expect a gaggle of reporters and photographers for the Monday morning news conference by District Attorney E. Michael McCann to announce the charges and for an initial court appearance by the soon-to-be defendants in the early afternoon.
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Omokunde's lawyer, Robin Shellow, confirmed she's been told her client will be charged Monday. "It is my understanding that it's scheduled for 1:30," she said about the court appearance, declining further comment.
Other Democrats who have been arrested and released by police but not charged are: Lewis Gibson Caldwell III, 28, and Lavelle Mohammad, 35, both of Milwaukee; and Justin J. Howell, 20, of Racine.
Caldwell's lawyer, Craig Mastantuono, said he also has been told by the DA's office that his guy would be charged on Monday. Sources indicated that the criminal complaint also will name Mohammad and Howell.
Lawyers for the other suspects could not be reached or declined to comment.
Sources said that with McCann's decision to file felony charges, it is highly unlikely that U.S. Attorney Steven Biskupic would also hit the suspects with a federal complaint. Those insiders said it is rare for the feds to pile on charges that would be very similar to those filed by local authorities.
The slashings and the lengthy investigation by local cops and the FBI have been the talk of the town for a couple of months. McCann, a Democrat, has been under fire from Republicans for the time he's taken to press charges against the Democratic activists.
The police probe started on the morning of Nov. 2, when officials discovered that vandals had shredded about two dozen tires on 20 vehicles rented by the state GOP. The vehicles were parked in the 7100 block of W. Capitol Drive.
That night, police arrested Opel Simmons III, a veteran Democratic activist who was in town drumming up support for U.S. Sen. John Kerry's failed presidential campaign. Simmons, who was held by Milwaukee authorities for two days, is back in Virginia and is not expected to be charged, sources said.
As part of the case, FBI agents interviewed witnesses in four states from New York to Georgia, though none of those out-of-staters is expected to be charged. Those Democrats were also here to help with the Kerry effort.
Sources say that investigators caught a break in the case because the slashings quickly became the talk of the Kerry headquarters on the morning of Nov. 2.
"People came back and bragged about what they did," said one source.
Added a second: "Ultimately, they didn't see this as a badge of shame that they needed to hide from their co-workers."
But nothing in this case is as simple as it first appears.
Look for the defense lawyers to use the classic "some other dudes did it" defense - pointing an accusing finger at the out-of-staters, who are expected to be the star witnesses for the prosecution.
Making things even dicier is the lack of damning physical evidence. "There will be a strong suggestion on the defense part that the people who are (making the accusations) may have slashed the tires themselves," said one lawyer familiar with the case.
On top of everything else, this case has garnered national attention because two of the suspects come from politically connected Democratic families and because the tires were sliced up supposedly to prevent Republicans from getting to the polls.
No doubt, with Monday's charges, it will remain in the spotlight.
"It's like when you slash the tires of the police chief," explained one law enforcement type. "It's much more than the slashing. It's why did you do it. It makes the same act more serious."
At the same time, another lawyer suggested that everyone keep things in perspective. This, after all, is not a murder case.
"These aren't just ordinary tires," the lawyer cracked. "These are tires that had their civil rights violated."
I wonder if the "power outage" at the GOP headquarters in Pittsburgh was ever explained (DNC office across the street had power). The power did come back on before the polls closed.
A good ol fashioned dragging is a fitting punishment.
Logging chains on a pickup trailer hitch, twice around the courthouse.
A Democrat and a Muslim...another member of the party of enlightenment and the religion of peace.
Supreme Solar Allah...you got to be kidding me, I guess slashing must be an elevated art in the religion of death and hate!
As despicable and hypocritical as this episode was, I have to admit I laughed at this line. Nothing like Dems making fun of their own time-tested rhetoric.
ping!!!!!!!!
The pressure on McCann't must have been immense. Under normal circumstances these guys would have been bargained down to municipal disorderly conduct tickets.
Hopefully, the US Attorney is keeping a close eye on this case.
"To stop them voting? That sounds like felony to me."
Yes, and since it was a PRESIDENTIAL election it sounds like a FEDERAL offense to me.
This vandalism should be brought up and thrown in the face of any democrat, any place, any time, who talks about voter supression or intimidation, etc.
Under normal circumstances, these guys would have been given a prize.
Especially since President Bush lost Wisconsin by fewer votes than Kerry lost Ohio.
Not quite, but image the hullabaloo if the party affiliations and races had been reversed. (White Republicans slashing tires of a Democratic organization in a Black neighborhood.)
Could be the Feds let'im know they'd go for Federal Indictments if he didn't go for Felonies!
Hate crimes laws permit the persecution of Christians, white folk, heterosexuals, and Republicans.
They codify liberal political correctness.
Soon BEING a Christian who believes in the Bible or a Republican could in and of itself become a "hate" crime.
Federal prosecutions could still be applied I would think. Just as a person can be tried for civil and criminal offenses.
Is it just me, or does this sound like a brand name for a tin-foil hat?
It sounds like the name of someone who Spiderman would fight.
Just to clear the record the tire slashing occurred on 71st and Capitol in Milwaukee which *is* a black neighborhood. Perhaps that made it easier for these boyz to do the task and not be immediately spotted.
The Democrats have been crying and shouting voter fraud and disenfranchisement. Well this incident and the Washington Governor's election debacle show who are the real culprits in this past election.
I think the Democrats have a lot to answer for.
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2438 N. Bremen St.
414/372-7584
Contacts: Supreme Solar Allah & Self Wise Allah
Cream City Mentors, a nonprofit organization established in 1999, enhances the lives of youth ages 12 to 17 through three main goals: Citizenship, Exposure, and Empowerment. The mentors provide positive guidance, homework tutoring, field trips, and sharing of wisdom to help youth expand their self-confidence, creativity, and individual talents. Call the number above to enroll or inquire about their programs.
Bush won Ohio. Kerry won Wisconsin. Bush won by a far greater number of vote than Kerry yet the Democrats insisted that the vote was suppressed in Ohio.
Misdirection in action. The talent of any good magician in making scandals disappear.
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