Sheriff Clarke upset man only cited for allegedly making death threat to radio host
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Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke. | Photo: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
MILWAUKEE- Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke is upset the district attorney isn't charging a man for making threats to a local radio talk show host.
The judge agreed with the district attorney in issuing a citation for a man accused of making a death threat toward local radio talk show host Vicki McKenna. Sheriff Clarke says he is disappointed.
The Milwaukee County district attorney only cited Timothy Demeuse with disorderly conduct for making an alleged death threat towards McKenna.
"She's not happy that (Deputy District Attorney Jeffrey) Altenburg decided to suggest that a county ordinance citation should be issued," said Clarke.
Demeuse allegedly admitted to writing on his Facebook, which was eventually forwarded to McKenna.
He wrote "Here's your real "expletive" death threat "expletive". Come get me. I don't even own a gun. I can make as many threats as I want. I hope someone kills you. I am going to shoot you in the face and rape your dead corpse."
"You can't threaten to shoot someone in the head. And rape their dead corpse and have that be the level of a parking ticket," argued Clarke.
That's because District Attorney John Chisholm says he can only issue charges that he can prove beyond a reasonable doubt.
"The investigation did not support criminal charges; we do think it's appropriate that the person is held accountable. And they have agreed to be held accountable," said Chisholm. "The people we talked to, his circle of friends, said they did not take it as a true threat."
Also contributing to the issue -- technology outpacing state law and getting Demeuse a lesser charge.
"With Facebook -- the difference between posting and sending is significant -- it's legally significant," said Chisholm.
The district attorney says in order for for this to be a crime, the legislature needs to change the law.
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