WI Lawmakers Ask Evers To Remove DA Chisholm

WAUKESHA COUNTY, WI — Sixteen Republican lawmakers representing Waukesha County wrote a letter to Gov. Tony Evers urging him to remove Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm,

The legislators argued that Chisholm's office asked for inappropriately low bail for the man who later drove his SUV through the Waukesha Christmas parade.

"As members of the Waukesha County legislative delegation, we stand united in our efforts to heal Waukesha after the horrific incident at the Christmas Parade. We continue to pray for all the victims, their families, and our community. We hope this tragedy never happens to another Wisconsin community because it never should have happened in Waukesha," the letter said.

Darrell Brooks Jr., 39, was charged with six counts of first-degree intentional homicide in the deaths of Virginia Sorenson, LeAnna Owen, Tamara Durand, Jane Kulich, Wilhelm Hospel and Jackson Sparks. More than 60 others were injured. Brooks was accused of driving his SUV through a crowd of paradegoers on Nov. 21. Brooks' bail was set at $5 million; he remains in custody.

The letter said Brooks was released on a $1,000 bail prior to the parade.

Chisholm earlier called the bail "inappropriately low" considering the violent charges that were pending against Brooks, which included felony bail jumping, battery, resisting an officer and disorderly conduct.

An unidentified assistant district attorney with two and a half years of experience in prosecuting felony domestic violence cases made a "human error" in seeking $1,000 bail for a man who authorities said later drove his SUV into the Waukesha parade and struck multiple marchers, the district attorney said.

"Brooks was released after being arrested on charges of punching the mother of his child and then hitting her with his SUV. Days later, Brooks allegedly used this same SUV to barrel through the Waukesha Christmas Parade, killing 6 and injuring at least 60. Chisholm has since admitted this action by his office was 'inappropriate,'" the letter said.

Chisholm has not resigned, the letter said.

"Because of this, we are calling on you to remove John Chisholm as Milwaukee County District Attorney. It is clear to us as legislators and many people from the Waukesha County and Milwaukee County areas affected by the recent tragedy that District Attorney Chisholm has neglected his duty in his office," the letter said.

Evers' office told WKOW News it wouldn't consider removing a district attorney until it received a written complaint from a taxpaying resident of the county where the official presides, the report said. The office hasn't received such a complaint yet.

Patch editor Ethan Duran contributed to this report.