- Police Brutality Watch

Racist Milwaukee Cops accused in beating plead not guilty

Three police officers accused of beating a man they thought had stolen a badge and wallet during an off-duty party pleaded not guilty to felony charges Wednesday after a court commissioner found there was enough evidence for them to stand trial. Frank L. Jude Jr., of Appleton, took the witness stand and for the first time formally faced the men charged with battering him while he lay face down in the street outside the house where off-duty officers were partying during the early morning hours of Oct. 24. Jude, 26, testified he could not identify the men who delivered the blows that left him with a fractured nose and other injuries. All three defendants, Jon Bartlett, Daniel Masarik and Andrew Spengler, are charged with party to substantial battery. Bartlett and Masarik also are charged with party to second-degree recklessly endangering safety. Masarik faces a third count of perjury. The only other witness at the preliminary hearing, Officer Joseph Schabel, testified he saw all three off-duty officers punch or kick Jude after Schabel and his partner responded to the scene. "Officer Bartlett came in and kicked Jude in the face," Schabel said, adding he heard a "popping and cracking" sound. Schabel said he ordered Bartlett to step back. Spengler "punched him twice in the face," and Masarik kicked Jude in the head, the officer testified. Commissioner Barry Phillips found probable cause to support the charges and set a scheduling hearing for early April. [more]