Prosser Unhinged?

 [Saturday evening update: Prosser says the initial account, as published, is "false."]

No one is denying that Justice David Prosser grabbed Justice Ann Walsh Bradley by the neck during 'deliberations' of the union-busting decision, or that the Capitol Police Chief was called.

How many strikes does he get?

No wonder, perhaps, that the Chief Justice attacked Prosser's concurrent defense of the Walker bill so strongly.

Great work uncovering this amazing story - - full text's link, again - - by Madison-based investigative reporter Bill Lueders and a team including personnel from Wisconsin Public Radio and the Wisconsin Center For Investigative Journalism:

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser allegedly grabbed fellow Justice Ann Walsh Bradley around the neck in an argument in her chambers last week, according to at least three knowledgeable sources.

Details of the incident, investigated jointly by Wisconsin Public Radio and the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, remain sketchy. The sources spoke on the condition that they not be named, citing a need to preserve professional relationships.

They say an argument that occurred before the court’s release of a decision upholding a bill to curtail the collective bargaining rights of public employees culminated in a physical altercation in the presence of other justices. Bradley purportedly asked Prosser to leave her office, whereupon Prosser grabbed Bradley by the neck with both hands.

Justice Prosser, contacted Friday afternoon by the Center, declined comment: “I have nothing to say about it.” He repeated this statement after the particulars of the story — including the allegation that there was physical contact between him and Bradley — were described. He did not confirm or deny any part of the reconstructed account.

Bradley also declined comment, telling WPR, “I have nothing to say.”

The sources say Capitol Police Chief Charles Tubbs was notified of the incident. One source says Tubbs came in to meet with the entire Supreme Court about this matter. Tubbs, contacted by Wisconsin Public Radio, declined to comment.