By Mark Belling, WISN-AM
The 17-year old accused of wounding a mother and her son during a gun battle in Milwaukee’s Butterfly Park has had his bail drastically reduced by one of Milwaukee County’s most lenient judges. The two were struck in the crossfire of a gun battle that police say may have involved multiple individuals. 24 bullet casings were found.
The suspect, Ivan Wade, had his bail lowered Friday by Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Katie Kegel, a former public defender elected in 2021 with the support of most Milwaukee progressive organizations. Wade is no longer listed on the inmate locator list of the Milwaukee County Jail, an indication that he may no longer be in custody. Wade was charged as an adult with felony counts of first degree reckless injury and dangerous use of a weapon. His bail was originally set at $50,000.
Wade’s lawyer requested Friday for a reduction in bail. The request was opposed by Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm’s office. But Kegel sided with Wade and slashed the cash bail to $15,000 and applied a series of conditions.
The Butterfly Park June 15 gun battle attracted significant media attention and several politicians spoke out against the latest instance of children being struck by bullets. The child victim is six years old. State law allows judges to consider the safety of the community in setting bail but doesn’t require them to do so. In this instance, the bail reduction request was so egregious that even Chisholm’s assistant DA, Michelle Grasso, strenuously opposed it. But Kegel ignored her pleas. Let’s hope Wade doesn’t go on any more shootouts now that Kegel has sprung him.
Mark Belling
August 19, 2024
