Photos by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
“The dignity of a wise and righteous judge needs not the artificial safeguarding which is a heritage of the old days when if dissent found a tongue the public executioner cut it out. The Bench will be sufficiently respected when it is no longer a place where dullards dream and rogues rob . . .That the corrupt practices in our courts of law be uncovered to public view, whenever that is possible, by . . . the press.“ —Ambrose Bierce
KENOSHA, Wis. — “I have not violated a single law. Every word I’ve published is constitutionally protected reporting on an elected Kenosha County Circuit Court judge. In six years covering dozens of judges, this is the only one who has ever tried to have me imprisoned for it. Apparently this isn’t America. I have prison hanging over my head for accurate reporting on a sitting judge.”
That’s how Kenosha County Eye editor Kevin Mathewson responded to news that Wisconsin State Capitol Police Detective Bryn Callen-Blank has referred one felony stalking charge and two misdemeanors, including harassment, against him to the Kenosha County District Attorney’s Office. The complaining witness: Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Chad Kerkman.
Mathewson said he expects he could be formally charged in the coming weeks or months, but maintains he has committed no crime.
“In a perfect world, this complaint should have been closed by the detective,” Mathewson said. “But I understand that police tend to treat judges with white gloves.
A Requested Gag Order as a Bail Condition
The referral paperwork forwarded to the DA’s office allegedly asked that whichever judge or commissioner handles Mathewson’s initial appearance impose a condition of bail barring him from writing about Kerkman going forward.
Mathewson and legal observers say such a condition would almost certainly amount to an unconstitutional prior restraint on protected speech.
“They want a judge to order me to stop reporting on Chad Kerkman as a condition of my freedom,” Mathewson said. “That tells you everything about what this is actually about.”
The charges were referred to the DA’s office roughly three weeks ago. Rumors of the referral began circulating throughout the Kenosha legal community around that same time, well before Mathewson says he was able to confirm it, suggesting a leak either from within the Wisconsin State Capitol Police or from Kerkman himself.
Attorney Pushes Back
Mathewson’s attorney, Michael Cicchini, has laid out in writing, both to Detective Callen-Blank during the investigation and, more recently, to Kenosha County prosecutors, why the case fails as a matter of law. Cicchini has pointed to Wis. Stat. § 940.32(4)(a)1, which exempts from the stalking statute any conduct protected by the constitutional right to free speech, including gathering and publishing information. He has also cited the commentary to Supreme Court Rule 60.03, which, states that judges “must expect to be the subject of constant public scrutiny” and must accept restrictions “that might be viewed as burdensome by the ordinary citizen.”
“No reasonable prosecutor would charge this,” Mathewson said. “But I think prosecutors are going to be sympathetic and give this judge the same white-glove treatment. And then eventually I’ll be in front of another judge, and judges stick together, in my estimation, so I expect kid-glove treatment there too. But where the Constitution and the buck actually stop is with a jury of my peers. I don’t see any chance a jury convicts me of stalking for writing truthful stories about a judge.”
A Detective With a Pattern
Mathewson says Detective Callen-Blank’s handling of this case fits a broader pattern. Callen-Blank previously referred stalking, harassment, and misconduct-in-public-office charges against State Representative Sylvia Ortiz-Velez following a political dispute, after Callen-Blank’s own superiors at Capitol Police had already concluded there was insufficient evidence of a crime and characterized the underlying statements as political rhetoric rather than a true threat. Prosecutors in that case declined to adopt Callen-Blank’s recommended charges.
“This is a pattern,” Mathewson said. “This isn’t the first time she’s pushed for serious charges on behalf of a prominent person over something that isn’t a crime, and it won’t be the last.”
Years of Escalation
The stalking referral is the latest chapter in 12 years of hostility from Kerkman toward Mathewson, predating KCE’s founding, which apexed on Sept. 5, 2025. Mathewson, whose outlet has a monthly circulation of over 1,000,000, first ran into open conflict with Kerkman that day, when Court Commissioner William Michel II, acting under Kerkman’s direction, denied Mathewson’s request to photograph intake court, ending a five-year streak in which Mathewson had been credentialed under Supreme Court Rule 61 without issue. The denial applied only to Kenosha County Eye; other outlets continued to receive same-day approvals. The ban came shortly after Kerkman’s own longtime bailiff had been charged with felony identity theft, a case Kenosha County Eye had also covered.
The intake court ban did not come out of nowhere. Kenosha County Eye has reported for years on Kerkman being reversed multiple times by higher courts for what appellate judges found were serious errors of judgment, including taking a child away from a parent without due process. The outlet has also documented what courthouse sources describe as in-court meltdowns, including episodes in which Kerkman berated litigants, prosecutors, and attorneys from the bench. Mathewson also reported on an alleged improper relationship Kerkman had with his former clerk. Mathewson says his coverage of Kerkman’s conduct, on and off the bench, goes back years and extends well beyond any single story.
Mathewson wrote a story about Kerkman banning him from photographing intake court, and it was that story Kerkman demanded be taken down. The very next day, Kerkman sent Mathewson a notarized demand, notarized by former Assistant District Attorney Tom “T. Clair” Binger, demanding he remove parts of the article about the ban. Among the material at issue was Kerkman’s campaign finance registration, a document every elected official in Wisconsin is required to file publicly, which included Kerkman’s personal email, phone number, and home address, the same information available for any elected official. Mathewson redacted the address immediately upon Kerkman’s request, even though he was not required to do so under law, but declined to remove the rest of the article. Under 2023 Wisconsin Act 235, effective April 1, 2025, judicial officers have been able to have their personal information, including their home address, removed from public records. Kerkman didn’t redact his personal information as allowed for roughly five months, until this dispute arose.
Mathewson responded to the ban by filing a federal civil rights lawsuit, Mathewson v. Kerkman, et al. (2025CV1492), in the Eastern District of Wisconsin on Sept. 29, 2025, alleging First Amendment retaliation, equal protection violations, and due process violations over the photography ban. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge J.P. Stadtmueller and remains pending.
Separately, on Sept. 12, 2025, Kerkman reported Mathewson to the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office, classifying his reporting as “threats.” The Sheriff’s Office took no law enforcement action and referred the matter to Corporation Counsel, who agreed that publishing the document was lawful. Kerkman didn’t like the Sheriff’s response and escalated to the Wisconsin State Capitol Police, the same agency now recommending charges against Mathewson.
Weeks later, longtime courthouse bailiff West Jacobs, a 75-year-old Air Force veteran, told Kenosha County Eye he was fired on Dec. 3, 2025, for sharing Kenosha County Eye articles on Facebook. Jacobs said the directive to fire him flowed from Kerkman to Clerk of Circuit Court Rebecca Matoska-Mentink to his supervisor, and that no misconduct or performance issue was ever raised against him.
Records reviewed by Kenosha County Eye also show Kerkman requested and received deputy bodyguard escorts, approved by Sheriff David Zoerner, to at least two Judiciary and Law Committee meetings, and coordinated a courthouse security assessment through the Capitol Police at public expense.
Fired Commissioner Says Kerkman Was “Obsessed” With Mathewson
Former Kenosha County Court Commissioner William Michel II, who was recently terminated after being placed on a performance improvement plan in his final months on the bench, told a courthouse insider that meetings meant to address his own performance repeatedly veered off course.
According to Michel’s account, relayed to Kenosha County Eye through that courthouse insider, the conversations kept turning to Mathewson, specifically to whether people believed Kerkman was gay because of photographs Mathewson had published showing the judge shirtless, embracing other men, and wearing LGBTQ pride items. (These photos were publicly shared by Kerkman on social media, accessible to anybody on earth with an internet connection.) Michel described Kerkman during these conversations as “obsessed” with Mathewson.
“A Ludicrous Charge”
Mathewson calls the stalking allegation itself absurd.
“When people think of stalking, they think of driving by someone’s house, threats, that kind of thing,” Mathewson said. “I haven’t set foot in this guy’s courtroom in more than five years. He handles family cases I have zero interest in. I have a constitutional right to sit in his courtroom like any member of the public, and I choose not to. Calling that stalking is ludicrous.”
Mathewson also questions why Kerkman never pursued a civil remedy if he genuinely felt threatened.
“He’s a judge. He knows exactly how a restraining order works,” Mathewson said. “If he actually believed I was stalking him, why didn’t he just go get one? Instead he ran to the Capitol Police.”
Mathewson also points to the timeline. Kerkman first reported him to law enforcement in September 2025, yet the case did not result in a charging referral until nearly a year later.
“Why did it take a detective the better part of a year to refer charges if this was actually urgent?” Mathewson said. “None of this makes sense. The writing is on the wall. Judge Kerkman is weaponizing a state police department to silence his biggest critic ahead of his election in April.”
“I’m Not Going Anywhere”
Mathewson said the case will not change how Kenosha County Eye covers the courthouse.
“Everything I did was completely legal, and Kenosha County Eye is not going anywhere,” Mathewson said. “This judge is not going to intimidate me into silence.”
Kenosha County Eye will continue to update readers as this matter develops.
63 Responses
Well the way I see it your not his type your bald.
Kenosha exposed is pretty obsessed with the DA as well
He sure is must have nothing better to talk about… what a fucking loser Kenosha exposed must be.. Talk about something is
On your side Kevin.
Kerkman has outed himself as a questionable judge. Everything Kerkman does now has a blemish of some sort.
I feel sorry for his kids who carry the name. They are old enough to read and this KCE dissertation lays out all the Kerkman trash.
And the detective? Well, that all looks really bad, now and for the future.
It all makes Kenosha look shitty, corrupt, and absent of all respectability.
1,000,000 on your side Kevin.
Yes !! We are ALL on Kevin’s side.
At least 98% of us that read and subscribe to KCE !
But there is more we can do. Please read.
Kevin has now retained an attorney to defend this rogue prosecution. Attorneys need to get paid.
Even if this doesn’t go any further in the legal system it already has generated work and expense on Kevin’s behalf.
There is a way we can all help.
If someone is willing to start a Give/Send/Go, Kevin can use those funds to pay for his attorney.
Mind you this requires the person that sets this up to show their name on the Give/Send/Go website.
There could be pushback against that person.
How anyone defines pushback is any way you see it.
This is not for someone to haphazardly do it.
It will take Courage to put your name out there.
I myself am not willing to put my name out there not because I don’t support Kevin but because I’m legitimately afraid of his enemy’s !
Seriously, I will not risk anyone in my family to be sought after and harmed because others don’t understand what Free Speech is all about.
There are many decent people on both sides of the political spectrum and divide but it only takes one crazy person to go rogue and be violent.
So if there is anyone out there who feels strong enough to help Kevin with creating this way to help fund Kevin’s defense, just contact him directly before you start the process.
If the allegations in this article are true, every citizen, regardless of politics, should be deeply concerned. The First Amendment exists to protect journalists from government retaliation, especially when they’re reporting on public officials. Using the criminal justice system to silence or intimidate members of the press would set a dangerous precedent that should alarm everyone. A free press isn’t a privilege; it’s one of the cornerstones of our republic. Public officials should answer criticism with transparency and accountability, not by trying to criminalize reporting. We should all be watching this case closely because the implications reach far beyond one reporter or one judge.
You go, Kevin. It sure is a strange new world. A gag order? Solis needs to come to the rescue and save you from Kerkman’s revenge. I saw it coming. The newspaper profession, or what’s left of it, needs to back you 110 percent on this. Fox 6 News or WLUK Fox 11 should have big name legal teams come to your defense pro bono. Wish you well, my friend.
I fully agree with your assessment, MAGA
KEV has repeatedly taken significant professional risks in support of Solis. At this stage, it is appropriate for our District Attorney to respond in kind by providing a clear and principled defense of Kev against what appears to be a highly questionable investigation and the related charge recommendations.
Mr. Solis, Recusal would be an unfortunate choice under these circumstances and would likely be viewed as an abdication of responsibility rather than a neutral step.
For our District Attorney to not come out and say this is wrong is wrong.
I am sick and tired of the recusals because people work in the same building or pull a paycheck from the same employer.
That employer is you and me !!
Average Joe Taxpayer !
I sign that paycheck !
I decide which case to prosecute or defend.
Me, Joe Taxpayer. And the people I voted to represent me and my ideals !!
Xavier and Sam and on down the line. You all work for Me !
Do your effen job and shut this down !!
I fully agree with your assessment, MAGA
Kev has repeatedly taken significant professional risks in support of Solis. At this stage, it is appropriate for Solis to respond in kind by providing a clear and principled defense of Kevin against what appears to be a highly questionable investigation and the related charge recommendations.
Mr. Solis, recusal would be an unfortunate choice under these circumstances and would likely be viewed as an abdication of responsibility rather than a neutral step.
Mr. Howard Brown would have gone to the mattresses for Kevin.
This judge needs to be in prison not Kevin. Who is this homosexual to judge anyone.
Who are you to be thinking about homosexuals? Hiding something closet case?
Ridiculous, from start to finish
This is a terrible development that should outrage every American. Kevin is a courageous journalist who is defending our freedom. Investigative journalism is the bane of tyrants, who do all they can to intimidate those who expose their evil ways. Kerkman is cut from the same cloth as Trump.
Does drug use lead to paranoia?
Asking for a friend.
Do shots and boosters count?
You mean marihuana and mushrooms?
Kerkman gay ?
What a surprise – not.
Doesn’t matter if he is gay, what matters if he is a good judge, IMHO Kerkman is a repugnant judge.
Keep reporting Kevin.
Are these indicative of the repugnant judge? 😷👺🤬
Kerkman has lost his mind. Do not elect this guy ever again. He has ruined many people‘s lives & careers because of his big ego and his obsession with Mathewson.
Kerkman has lost his mind. Do not elect this guy ever again. He has ruined so many people‘s lives and careers all because of his big ego and his obsession with Mathewson. Get a life.
Cuckman being Cuckman. Detective is a clown.
Fuck Kerkman and his lover from the Capitol Police. No respectable DA’s office would even consider taking any action on this bogus referral other than tossing it in the trash (much like Kerkman’s reputation). He’s always been such a cocksucker.
Sounds like you have a crush and got shut down.
Fuck Kerkman and his lover from the Capitol Police. DA should toss the referral into the trash, just like Kerkman’s reputation. Kerkman’s always been such a fruity loser.
Did Kerkman support you for County Board? Did he do a letter?
Screw Kerkman and his lover from the Capitol Police. DA should toss the referral into the trash, just like Kerkman’s reputation. Kerkman’s always been such a fruity loser.
Go Kevin Go! Keep up the good work!
#IStandWithKevin
Using Lawfare in an attempt to silence the free press.
A very bad look for Kenosha Democrats who will stop at nothing to silence those who report the truth.
Lawfare: “The strategic use of the legal system, courts, and laws as a weapon to damage, hinder, coerce, and to silence their opponents.”
Jerkman is a straight bitch.
Of course you’re gay Chad, that ship sailed the second you let bingo put is dick in your ass.
Keep up the great reporting on this judge. It looks like he thinks he is above the law. This accusation is ridiculous and makes this judge look like a fool going after a reporter telling the truth. He can’t hide the truth under his robe!
Wow crazy
Freedom of the press!! This is absolutely insane. You are supposed to question a public employees/elected officials who are paid for by us, and are supposed to serve us. There is a nationwide infection spreading that is threatening free speech, and this is another case/symptom. Of course, it comes from a liberal detective in a liberal city. from a department that is run and overseen by liberals.
I separate three different questions:
Legal protection
Under current First Amendment doctrine, Mathewson’s core activity — publishing public records, public social-media photos, and commentary on an elected judge’s official conduct — is protected. Using the criminal process (especially a requested gag order) against that kind of reporting is a serious escalation and would face strong constitutional headwinds. That is the law as it stands.
Whether the reporting stayed within the proper role of the press
This is a different question. Focusing heavily on personal photos and the sexual-orientation speculation they generated is lower-value journalism, even when the photos were public. A journalist can be legally protected and still be operating in a zone many people reasonably find distasteful or excessive. You can believe the First Amendment protects it and still think it went beyond what responsible coverage of a judge should emphasize. Those two positions are not contradictory.
The stalking charge itself
On the facts described, the theory that truthful published reporting on a public official equals criminal stalking looks weak. The statutory exemption for constitutionally protected speech exists for a reason. Whether a prosecutor will still charge it, and how a jury would see it, is a separate practical question.
These are scary times.
The above comment which ask if Kerkman will find a sympathetic Prosecutor as he already has found a sympathetic police officer, means there are people in these positions of power that haven’t a clue on the laws of this Great Country is scary.
For anyone who has experienced a rogue agency governmental or private that puts a mark against your name that then causes you not just anxiety but financial hardship that sometimes can not be recovered from, there must be repercussions in reverse.
For Chad Kerkman we as a county NEED TO FIND A CHALLENGER to his seat come next spring.
I think I’m correct that he is up for reelection starting with nomination papers in January.
Regardless of how this fiasco with Kevin plays out we need to plan to oust this guy in the next election cycle. Get him out of office and out of the power that he is abusing seemingly effectively in this instance.
Who’s up for Judge next Spring ?
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
If this DA wants fame — even if he wins — the price will be brutal.
Look at Binger.
Wanted fame.
Now he’s hiding.
I believe Jerkman is gay.
I met Chad at one of those “fancy” bars, you know the type. He offered to push in my stool, I declined.
Bingo was there too, I’m pretty sure they both pushed in each others stool that evening.
A free press is essential to democracy, and that includes reporting that some people may find uncomfortable or disagree with. The Constitution protects journalists who publish truthful information about public officials, and any attempt to criminalize that kind of reporting should be scrutinized closely. Regardless of personal opinions about the stories themselves, the principle is clear: government power should never be used to silence or intimidate members of the press.
This is America, not some third-world theocracy.
I see Wack job Jackie is all excited about this, but she doesn’t seem to understand what makes her a hypocrite. You can’t have it both ways, saying things under the banner of free speech that aren’t true, then expecting Kevin to take the fall for reporting the real truth. Sure, we all know Mr. Mathewson has his preferences, but think about all the scumbags he’s chased out of our schools to protect our kids. People need to stand up against any attempt to stifle truthful free speech. Mr. Mathewson is a journalist, and Jackie is someone with a problem’s who’s always looking for excuses.
Whacky Jackie will give you itches on your sacky!
Way too many of our Civil Servants view themselves as Civil Masters.
Does this judge realize this looks retaliatory because of Kevin’s federal lawsuit against him removing him from taking pictures in intake? Hmmm, that’s not a good look. I doubt the federal judge will appreciate this attempted action, but maybe the Judge knows something we don’t.
Whacko Jackie has her own legal issues to worry about!
You don’t have to agree with every article to recognize what’s at stake here. The First Amendment protects the right to gather information, publish facts, and criticize government officials, especially judges, who hold enormous power. When reporting is met with criminal referrals instead of civil remedies or open dialogue, it crosses into territory that threatens press freedom for everyone. The public deserves transparency, and journalists must be free to report without fear of retaliation.
I’m sure Kerkman suffers from serious emotional distress, but who fucking cares. He is an elected official whose behavior should be investigated and reported to the citizens who voted for him. You don’t want to be published on KCE, then don’t be a fuck twat.
In Wisconsin, stalking is a felony offense under Wisconsin Statutes § 940.32, defined as an intentional course of conduct (two or more acts) that causes a victim serious emotional distress or fear of bodily harm. Penalties range from a Class I felony to higher felony classes depending on specific aggravating factors.
Keeps strong. We stand with you
Regardless of how weak or strong the case may be, Kevin will need to defend himself which will cost a lot of money. Perhaps a go-find-me account or legal defense fund should be established.
Freedom!!!
Kenosha exposed crying about the DA and Kevin and charges. Didn’t she say she had judges in her pocket and blackmailing them? Pot meet hypocrite kettle
Why does she keep saying charges are coming from state police?
She’s not bright. Drug use will make somebody stupid. It’s the Wisconsin State Capitol Police
Careful Mr. Mathewson, you do not want to make another person think yur are stalking them.
I wonder if Chad has pushed in her stool or is hoping she pushes in his……..
If this is the case, who tipped her off? Is she conspiring with a sitting judge? Might need to FOIA his emails…
Nobody tipped her off. I have a lawyer who informed me of the referral. Somebody told me she started yapping on Facebook after I wrote the story about myself.
She literally said on her page she read it from Kevin’s post. She’s a fan obviously. But her saying she had judges blackmailed and then crying about not being fair is absolutely hysterical and hypocritical
Yeah, what about that? All she and her followers do is talk and make fun of you and the DA. So much for a restraining order. That’s how well justice works here. I thought the STD lady was told to refrain from doing that.
I don’t think she realizes how crazy she sounds. I mean her friends are caputo and berg, trudell. But anywho she just did another post saying the DA is being charged with domestic violence I think she enjoys defaming people
This ain’t going to go well for Kerkman, please don’t offer this piece of shit a reach around, he’s about to get fucked in the ass.
I hope the state police officer is pure enough to withstand the investigations that should immediately commence on his ass. I think we are getting very tired of lawfare and this cop does not appear to be interested in the law anymore than the judge he’s trying to prop up.