(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
More than two months after a local Liberal activist, Joel Trudell fought with police and shouted profanities at a County Board meeting, Joel Trudell has been criminally charged with two misdemeanors. He faces one year behind bars minus any time for good behavior. On June 21, 2022, The Kenosha County Democratic Party, led by failed senate candidate Lori Hawkins (D) and Jodi Meurhoff (D) rallied liberals from all over the county to oppose a measure that would end a decade-long prohibition against concealed carry in certain county buildings. Local activist Joel Trudell is frequently called a “troll” and is commonly seen at board meetings acting “off.” Trudell is married to Kenosha Attorney Kate Trudell of Johnson Bank, who is also a local liberal activist. Trudell was visibly mocking speakers that spoke in favor of the removal of the “no guns signs” at certain county buildings. He was admonished and warned several times during the first 10 or so speakers.
Chairman Nudo at first was very patient with Trudell, telling him to be respectful of other taxpayers. Eventually it was Trudell’s turn to speak. He went off topic and started verbally attacking members of the board by name, questioning why they accepted campaign contributions, which is normal in elections. Trudell started to get uncivil and disorderly, raising his voice and shouting. He then verbally attacked a resident who passed him while getting in line to speak. He received another warning from Nudo. “I’ll get to you next Nudo!” Trudell shouted. After ignoring the Chairman’s repeated warnings, Nudo ordered Trudell to be removed from the podium. Two Kenosha Deputies politely asked Trudell to back away from the podium. Instead, Trudell refused verbally and clutched the podium saying “I’m not leaving. I am speaking!” Deputies repeatedly gave Trudell verbal commands that he ignored. The struggle ended up on the ground and Trudell continued to fight with the deputies.
Trudell was finally cuffed and booked into the Kenosha County Jail at 8:45pm on June 21, 2022 and spent about 12 hours in jail before being bailed out. Kenosha DA Michael Graveley (D) told KCE the next day that “I don’t think we have any conflicts, so I assume we will handle.” Graveley then received a coordinated email campaign from the Kenosha County Democratic Party. The following people emailed Graveley and asked him not to charge Trudell:
Lori Hawkins (Kenosha County Democratic Party Chairman)
Jodi Muerhoff (Kenosha County Democratic Party Secretary)
Tanya Kitts Lewinski (Kenosha Teachers Union President)
Holly Kangas (Kenosha Alderman)
Tenille Fick (Signed Kenosha YMCA Member Engagement Director) Daughter of Alderman Holly Kangas
Ronald Stevens (Former boys and Girls Club Director)
Laura Marran (Kenosha.com)
Nina Ferraro (Liberal Activist)
Mary Manthei (2 Emails)
Sam Roochnik
Amanda Townsend
Kaylynn Steinmetz
Stacy Moore
Sue Benning
David Rinke
Marieta “Marie” Huff
Helen Breitenbach
Amy Feret
Amy Brothen
Toni Hanson
Graveley responded to most of the people saying “The Kenosha DA’s Office will continue to try to be neutral referees in these incredibly partisan, tribal times.”
He then kicked the case to Walworth County DA Zeke Wiedenfeld who charged Trudell this morning. Trudell is expected in court on September 14, 2022 at 1pm for his initial appearance. He is free on a $300 bail. Trudell is being represented by far-left extremist, William Sulton who is the Wisconsin ACLU’s President. It is unknown if Sulton approached Trudell to take the case pro-bono.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
22 Responses
He seems highly intoxicated in the videos. Is he’s required to take random drug tests as a condition of bond?
He has not appeared in court yet.
Calling people a troll! The irony is thick Kev!
Joel Trudell is not a very informed citizen. On his Twitter account, he has a pinned tweet that says, “Mayor Antaramian why is this man still a part of the Kenosha Police Department?” in reference to Officer Rusten Sheskey. Putting aside the fact that Sheskey was not charged after a series of investigations, Mayor Antaramian has no power to fire a police officer.
Joel is not malicious, he’s just not very bright.
Why kick the case to Walworth County? Who is this goofball, anyway? Why is he so special? Why are we wasting money on the nut when they have enough trouble with the violent gang, drugs and shootings in this town.
I think he should have been charged long ago but in municipal court where thousands of dollars of taxpayer money won’t be spent on a case that this nut may want to turn into a circus. Instead, he’d be given some hefty fines without the expense of a jury trial, public defender and prosecutor. Instead of the taxpayers paying through the nose this bozo should.
At first I was going to say that this sounded like a slap on the wrist but hey, what not make offenders pay for the cost of law enforcement? Makes sense. Maybe they need to do more of it.
But, but, but… …..this cuk’s wife is a lawyer!
Bahahahahahahaha!
She’s not a bright one.
I saw this clown a few days ago by chance……he looks and dresses like a slob.
How dare you assume his gender..lololol
I wonder how the YMCA would feel about their membership director wading into a highly charged political situation. Gives the appearance that she’s speaking on behalf of the Y. If so, explains a lot of the changes that have occurred this year.
It’s the predominantly inner-city YMCA…..what side do you think they would be on? They have no issue with these two doing what they do.
SOCALIST ! A local look at the opinion or want to be opinion makers in Kenosha. Remember the names on the e mail list and organization they are with ! This is the new liberal left in your community . Gravely being part of this group of course would take a pass on it .
Violence and hate are the only things the Left has. Socialism is a mental and social disease.
They must blame it on the right. That’s all they have.
Compared to our problem cops and Steinbrink jr. this mope is chump change.
Kate trudell lived with sue Benning when Kate’s fiancé killed himself with drugs he stole while working as the medical examiner. Kate was well aware of the thefts as her fiancé often bragged about it. Rumor has it the suicide was the result of EJ’s best friend telling him that that said best friend had had an affair with her.
Sues daughter is also a kpd dispatcher that along with her former boyfriend EJ participated in the theft of 10s of thousands of dollars when the two of them were in charge of great America’s Leather Shop.
Honestly I have to feel bad for Joel at this point.
Lastly, mrs Kangas is of relation to a frat brother of Dan Seaver.
Kate trudell the impartial election observer?
He reminds me of Michael Moore.
Calling people a troll! The irony is thick Kev!