Colten Defense Asks For New Judge in Alleged Eavesdropping Case
A new judge had not been appointed at the time of Tuesday's arraignment and, thus, no date was set for Patt A. Colten's next court appearance.
Andrew Nelson—defense attorney for Hudsonite Patt A. Colten—filed a motion this morning requesting a new judge in the alleged illegal eavesdropping case against his client.
St. Croix County District Court Judge Scott R. Needham granted Nelson's motion, adding Nelson would have to negotiate with the District Attorney's office to determine Colten's next appearance date.
Once a new judge is assigned, he or she will be the third judicial officer to preside over the case after Judge Edward Vlack initially recused himself when his clerk—Kerry Feuerhelm—was named a witness against Colten.
Before adjourning the hearing, Needham reiterated to Colten that she has the right to request a new judge once, but whomever is appointed in his place will be the judge for the duration of the case.
Colten was formally charged last September with illegally intercepting wire or electric communication between River Falls city attorney Maxfield Neuhaus and two witnesses in a conference room outside the courtroom at the St. Croix County Government Center.
Neither Colten nor Nelson issued a comment after the short hearing. Likewise, a request for comment from District Attorney Eric Johnson went unanswered.
Historian
7:10 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Have you looked at all at what the Police and Courts have done to this woman?? Seems like the only evidence they have in this case is the false storys that are printed in the headlines. I know Colten, she's a nice person who has had nothing but problems for the last few years. The problems have all come from the lack of any common sense from the Police. The police have allowed the same two people who were identified as Moore and Spires of 609 9th street in the Star-Observer story to file one false complaint after another. The media and Spires said she gave Judge Vllack a DVD of something she recorded while in the hall of the courthouse. Your last story showed Adkinson and DA's charged Colten with something they knew from beginning was just false allegation by Spiers. . The Judge had to know as well??? So why didn't he dismiss it instead of recusing himself. Didn't the DA notice the Police had no evidence. I would ask to have this case moved to a different County, better yet a different State.
ProudHudsonDemocrat
10:09 am on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Historian, This is why the Judge did not dismiss the charge: Patt Colten sent a letter to the Court that said - verbatim - "When I left the Court room, I could hear Mr. Neuhaus talking to Scott Moore and Theresa Spires. I WAS ABLE TO RECORD SOME OF IT but I need to find someone to help try to get the volume loud enough to make out what THEY were saying."
Wisconsin statute, 968.31(1)(a) is one simple sentence that makes it illegal to secretly record someone else's private conversation.
Based on Colten's written admission sent to the Court, the Judge had to answer the question as to whether or not Colten probably broke the law. Well, goodness, what choice did she give the Judge?
Historian
7:36 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
If you ask around Colten isn't the only victim to have to deal with the HPD or Spires, she's just the latest victim. How come the police and DA don't apoligize and remove this case instead of wasting our tax dollars ??
ProudHudsonDemocrat
10:12 am on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Patt Colten the victim owed an apology?
This according to Wisconsin court public access search (WCCAP):
PEOPLE COLTEN HAS SUED: LeAnne Woodland, Phillip Woodland, City of Hudson, Scott Moore, Theresa Spires, John Alger, Cheryl Csuti. PEOPLE WHO HAVE RECEIVED RESTRAINING ORDERS AGAINST COLTEN: Theresa Ann Speirs, Leanne Woodland, Carmen Jean Croonquist, Scott A. Moore, Rhonda Carlson, Steve Kenny.
Dirk A.
7:55 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Spot on, Historian. Don't folks realize that that the School Board has a monopoly on burning thru tax dollars wastefully?