(Cell Phone Photo by Kevin Mathewson)
KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha County jury needed less than 30 minutes Tuesday afternoon to return a full acquittal for Clifton M. Hopkins, bringing a rapid end to a case that once carried multiple felony allegations.
Hopkins, 36, of Kenosha, had faced four charges, including strangulation and suffocation and intimidation of a victim, both felonies, along with misdemeanor battery and disorderly conduct, all stemming from an October 2025 incident.
After a one-day trial before Judge Heather Iverson, jurors returned not guilty verdicts on all four counts.
Kenosha County Eye was present for nearly the entire proceeding, which moved at an unusually fast pace. A jury was selected in the morning, opening statements began before lunch, and deliberations concluded in under a half hour.
The speed of the verdict appeared evident even before it was formally read. The first juror to reenter the courtroom looked toward Hopkins and smiled — a moment that signaled the outcome before the judge read “not guilty” four separate times.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Defense attorney Michael Cicchini praised the jury’s role in the justice system following the acquittal.
“With the demise of the preliminary hearing, the jury is the only line of defense between the state and the citizenry,” Cicchini said. “This jury did a fantastic job and acted quickly. Mr. Hopkins and I are very grateful for their service.”
Hopkins, standing beside Cicchini after the verdict, credited his attorney while also expressing appreciation for the jurors.
“Mike fought for me every step of the way, and I couldn’t have asked for a better lawyer,” Hopkins said. “He believed in me from day one, and that meant everything. I’m just incredibly thankful the jury listened, took their job seriously, and got it right.”
Later, when interviewed by Kenosha County Eye, Hopkins described his first moments of freedom after spending months in custody.
“After being locked up for six months, I stepped outside a friend’s house and just took a deep breath,” Hopkins said. “The air smelled freer. I’m just happy to be out and on my way to get a nice, long-deserved meal with friends.”
Court records show Hopkins was released from all bond conditions immediately following the verdict, and the case was dismissed.
The case, which involved allegations of domestic violence and serious physical harm, ultimately hinged on credibility and evidence presented during the single-day trial — issues the jury resolved decisively in favor of the defendant.
(Cell Phone Photo by Kevin Mathewson)
15 Responses
If I ever get in trouble with the law, I’m calling that Cicchini dude. He’s always getting people undone
Soooo this attorney get domestic violence abusers out of trouble correct??
Obviously you no NOTHING about justice.. or have FAITH in your very own justice system..?? In case you didnt know He was found NOT GUILTY on all counts..
He’s a good attorney. The 12 jurors acquitted him.
He definitely is a domestic abuser and worse. He always gets let off easy.
Maybe someone needs to ask the DA why this case was even prosecuted at all. It appears they had a very weak case. Also, Graveley can’t be blamed for this one.
Some people really ought to know what they’re talking about before they open their mouth!
Maybe you could explain why this person doesn’t know what he or she is talking about. Maybe you could also explain why the DA would use his scarce resources to bring such a weak case to a jury.
How does someone get an acquittal on so many different charges that actually showed up on the woman’s body? No charges? Was the whole story made up? Did the police fabricate the injuries? I’m just not understanding how someone( with a history of violence) gets to walk away from something that appeared to sound pretty severe?
Things aren’t always what they seem.
I’ve always known that KCE was not impartial…but for the author of an article to take a selfie with the subject of an article is unheard of.
I was the defense investigator on the case. And now I consider him a friend. Nothing unheard of about that. I wear many hats bruh
Especially in Divorce cases, many women intentionally inflict bruises, marks, bumps, and scratches on themselves to gain favor for a TRO and the upper hand in divorce. ‘Jaws’ uses the Silver Bullet tactics with a partnership with W&CH to win cases for women and destroy men.
A victory for all men.
He will be back in for the same thing. He doesn’t understand that you can’t put hands on people and physically hurt them. His record speaks for itself. This case clearly wasn’t what it seemed but neither is he…trust and believe that!