Sheriff Says D.A. Blew Off Death Threats

MILWAUKEE (CN) - Claiming that the district attorney refused to act, the Milwaukee County sheriff asked a state judge for permission to file a criminal complaint against a man who allegedly threatened the life of a radio talk show host.

Sheriff David Clarke notified the Milwaukee County Court and the District Attorney's Office of his intention to file a complaint.

Clarke claims that on Feb. 14, "Timothy E. Demeuse posted on his Facebook page labeled Tim Danger Demeuse the following message: 'I am going to kill Vicki McKenna. Come and get me coppers because there isn't a damn thing you can do about it. Retarded.'"

McKenna hosts a political talk show on WISN Milwaukee and WIBA Madison.

Twenty minutes after posting the first death threat, the sheriff says, Demeuse posted a second one: "Here's your real fucking death threat bitch. 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. I love this country and hate its citizens," according to the complaint.

McKenna broadcasts "primarily politics" on her radio shows, and she reported the death threats on her program, Clarke says in his complaint.

In her profiles on newstalk1130.com and her Facebook page, McKenna calls herself a "converted conservative" and says she "passionately advocates a conservative point-of-view on social and political issues, as well as matters dealing with pop culture and everyday life." She says she "is a committed defender of our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms."

Clarke claims that Demeuse admitted to his office on March 20 "that he made the Facebook posts threatening Vicki McKenna on his own cell phone while located in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin."

But he says, "The District Attorney of the County of Milwaukee refuses to issue a criminal complaint against Timothy E. Demeuse for the Facebook postings made by him threatening Vicki McKenna."

Clarke filed a notice of motion and motion to permit the filing of a complaint under Wisconsin Statute 968.02(3), which states: "If a district attorney refuses or is unavailable to issue a complaint, a circuit judge may permit the filing of a complaint, if the judge finds there is probable cause to believe that the person to be charged has committed an offense after conducting a hearing. If the district attorney has refused to issue a complaint, he or she shall be informed of the hearing and may attend. The hearing shall be ex parte without the right of cross-examination."

A hearing is schedule for June 22.

Clarke is represented by Michael Whitcomb.

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