I’ve received two messages recently about former municipal judge, and perpetual vulgarian, Steven Spear. The first is from a member of the Common Council. I’ll post the message in full, with my reply thereafter. (The Council member refers to my post entitled, “Spear, Coan, and Brunner.”)
From a member of the Common Council:
Dear “Mr. Adams”,
I just read over your article about former municipal judge Steve Spear. I will not comment on my personal opinions on the matter, but I noticed a somewhat large inaccuracy. Although the Whitewater Police Department handled the initial complaint and investigation, it was eventually handed off to the Kenosha County District Attorney’s office, and you do not even mention this in your article. I strongly recommend that you look into this as soon as possible for specific details.
Adams replies:
You’ve found no inaccuracy. My post was directed plainly at the disloyalty that Chief Coan showed to his own officers’ work gathering evidence against Spear. Their collection of evidence was the key development in this case. Spear was not charged until the state crime lab analyzed on the ‘biological material’ collected, and after consideration of the victim’s statements. That human biological material, by the way, was reportedly semen samples found in Spear’s (then) law office. The Whitewater Police played a role in that investigation for evidence, including taking testimony from Spear’s victim. Here’s how The Week reported on Spear’s plea:
It appeared Spear was masturbating under his desk, the woman told police. Spear told her he masturbates in his office every day, according to the complaint.
The woman left the office and Spear later called her to apologize, according to the complaint.
A search warrant conducted at Spear’s former law office at the Soffa and Devitt firm, 332 W. Whitewater St., Whitewater, uncovered semen samples from his keyboard, computer, desk, chair and carpet.
Spear is no longer with the firm.
Coan’s officers were part of the investigation, and by thanking Spear, Coan undermined the efforts and integrity of his own force. Spear would still be in office had he not been investigated as he was, no thanks to Jim Coan’s praise of the worst municipal judge in the history of this small town. By mentioning thanks for Spear’s role as judge during the Police Day ceremony in May, Coan disgraced himself.
Omitting the subsequent prosecutorial work of the Kenosha County District Attorney’s Office is not –as you contend — an inaccuracy. Rather, that prosecutorial role was immaterial to my point: that Coan’s so ethically and morally deficient that he would actually bother to thank Spear despite the efforts of Coan’s own force, or frankly, the clear evidence however collected.
Hoping to find inaccuracies in my post is not enough; you’ll have to try harder actually to find one.
By the way, why won’t you take a position on Spear? You hold public office, with all the force and authority that role provides. Members of other legislative bodies criticize judicial officials all the time. Even now that he’s pled, you can’t take a position? Say something, for goodness’ sake. It’s hard — and simultaneously risible — to see so many people who want the authority of public office here in Whitewater, but are silent on even the most egregious acts and disgusting conduct.