(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Kenosha County Eye has been granted press credentials for the upcoming trial of Joel Trudell. Trudell faces one year behind bars minus any time for good behavior for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest charges. KCE has covered this case from the date of the arrest. I was there and photographed it. If Trudell and his lawyer get their way, KCE won’t be able to cover the trial. They don’t have a good argument to keep us out, so they are trying to use a loophole.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Trudell’s attorney, William Sulton (D), who is also the President of the Wisconsin ACLU, subpoenaed me today to testify in the trial. I was a witness in my capacity as a journalist, but so were 50 other people. The prosecutor in this case, Zeke Wiedenfeld (D), didn’t subpoena me because it doesn’t make sense. It’s a simple case. Was Trudell disorderly and did he resist arrest? It was captured on at least three video cameras. In a text to me today, Sulton said that he will be asking the Judge to exclude me from the courtroom during testimony. This is called “excluding witnesses” and is used so that witnesses’ memories aren’t tainted by other people’s testimony. T. Clair Binger tried this trick during the Rittenhouse trial. He put me on the witness list, even though I was 15 miles away during the shootings. He wanted me out of the courtroom.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Today I filed a motion to quash the subpoena. I don’t think Trudell nor his attorney should be able to subpoena me to testify with the sole purpose to keep me out. It’s anti-first amendment – especially when there are dozens of people who witnessed Trudell’s behavior. I happen to also find Trudell to be a despicable human being, so like I told Sulton, I’m not going to be a good witness for the defense. I believe the judge will see this. The trial will be presided on by Judge Anthony Milisauskas, one of the fairest judges in the county.
Even if the judge disagrees with me, I will still be permitted to be in the courtroom during jury selection, opening statements, and after I testify. Believe me, I won’t be testifying. I would love to tell the jury how violent Trudell was with two hard-working Sheriff’s Deputies. I would love to tell the jury how disorderly he was when he yelled and shouted profanities in a crowded room – when he lunged towards the elected officials. I would almost trade covering this case for that chance. But I won’t. It would be ineffective assistance of counsel if Sulton calls me to testify.
The trial is scheduled to take place on October 23, 2023 but there are also four felony trials that day, so it is a 50/50 chance that this trial will proceed. Trudell was made a generous plea offer by the liberal Walworth DA, but he rejected it. Also, the subpoena that I received today isn’t legally valid, because it was signed by the attorney. Wis Stat 885.01 doesn’t allow defense attorneys to issue subpoenas in criminal court.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
The Arrest
On June 21, 2022, The Kenosha County Democratic Party, led by failed senate candidate Lori Hawkins (D) and Jodi Meurhoff (D) rallied democrats from all over the county to oppose a measure that ended a decade-long prohibition against concealed carry in certain county buildings. 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.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
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. Many people commented and cheered him on for fighting with law enforcement. Kenosha DA Mike Graveley recused himself and asked the Walworth County DA Zeke Wiedenfeld (D) to handle the case and it took months to charge him.
22 Responses
There is an old saying.
It goes something like this.
“Even bad press is good press.
As long as they spell my name correctly.”
You would think Trudell would want coverage of “anything” about him.
So why try to keep Kevin away?
Not to smart !!
Go figure
That is too funny how he flops around like a bloated carp out of water.
Oh come on now! You love the Jewdicial system and all it represents. Give it to em tough guy.
That’s such an unnecessary and anti-semitic common. The judicial system was established by British pilgrims who came to America. It is not even run by Jewish people. No one involved in this case is even Jewish.
Absolutely
He is such a hypocritical troll it’s almost embarrassing. He has kids? My gosh what an embarrassment. Surprised he wife didn’t tell him to man up to his arrest that he did to try and become Kenosha activist famous. He literally looks like he is a housewife that she keeps locked in the house all day. He is by far the most hater person in Kenosha. If you can’t be there due to testifying, send someone else as your counterpart. He brags online and tells people to come to his trial as he trolls, yet scared to have you there?
His wife hides behind him. She’s just as crazy as he is, but works for Johnsons, so she has to mind herself a little bit…. Those poor children.
Maybe jail would be good for him, he can get some practice running away from Bubba, and see what real crime is.
Kevin, in the article you mentioned that it’s anti-second amendment to keep you to the courtroom. I think you mean first amendment. I don’t think you’re bringing your gun into the courtroom. You might want to change that.
Indeed! Thanks for the catch
It’s always amazing to see how much these nasty liberals can dish out, but then cry victim when tables turn. What a vile, nasty troll. He is a large cop hating man child. Check out Kenosha Police Department Accountability and Transparency Squad FB page he created. Hopefully he’ll never need the Police, but he’s the type that would be the first to call!
What was the plea deal? You know he will probably only get a slap on the wrist. Ans the judge is not fair. He’s an old man who needs to retire.
This guy is a filthy pig! He is always talking about sexual topics in front of others–i hope he gets his full prison term
Gross… I’m surprised he was able to reproduce. He looks so greasy and smelly
He really does!
Liberal Democrats, the Party of Chaos and Aberrant Behavior are represented in the courtroom by Graveley, Wiedenfeld, Hanson, C Kerkman, Binger, McNeill, and other despicable characters.
This guy is an a-hole in and out everywhere. He is almost as bad as BLM.
Some people just need to keep their mouth shut smh
Kevin,
If something like that ever takes (subpoena keeping you from covering a particular trial), do you have a backup person?
I’m not asking for names, just curious if you’re stuck, do have someone else to cover?
I don’t know the particulars, KCE is you or is it you and those working with you?
No sir, not volunteering!
No patience for such a thing; our DA’s Office shows again and again what little regard they have for normal people. I couldn’t stand being around them as they kiss-butt to all the criminals.
I respect what you do for us.
A good friend of mine will take photos 🙂
Joel is looking………..fit. He single handedly can prove McDonald’s ice cream machines are working.
He reminds me of the little brother with his finger in your face saying “ I’m not touching you, I’m not touching you”. And then when you get fed up and smack him one he runs and tells mom.
100%! At the last school board meeting he was doing this. Kept getting into people’s faces with his tablet and acting like he was going to bump into them.