For the first time in more than two decades, a Milwaukee County inquest jury in a police-custody death case heard two arguments Wednesday: One in favor of criminal charges and one against.
Both arguments – equally compelling – were made by special prosecutor John Franke after seven days of testimony in the case of Derek Williams, who died in police custody in July 2011.
Jurors are being asked to decide whether three officers should be charged with the misdemeanor crime of failure to render aid by a law enforcement officer in connection with Williams’ death. The officers are Richard Ticcioni, who put his knee on Williams’ back during the arrest; and Jeffrey Cline and Jason Bleichwehl, who each spent time in the front of the squad car while Williams gasped for air in the back.