MILWAUKEE — Day three of testimony begins Wednesday in the federal trial of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan.
RELATED: Milwaukee judge testifies against colleague in day 2 of federal trial
Judge Dugan faces federal charges for allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant evade arrest by federal agents. The case centers on events that unfolded when Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrived at the courthouse to arrest Eduardo Flores Ruiz.
Watch a recap of Day 2 of the trial:
Flores Ruiz pleaded guilty in September to being in the U.S. illegally and was deported Nov. 14.
Dugan has pleaded not guilty and maintained from the beginning that she did nothing wrong. Prosecutors indicated they expect to finish presenting their evidence by the end of the third day.
Then it will be up to the defense whether to put on a case.
Follow live updates below:
9:47 a.m. – Text messages between the chief judge and Dugan are discussed
The chief judge says his message was pretty short: “Give me a call.” After the call, he says he expected ICE would wait until after the hearing and that the arrest would take place in a public hallway.
He also said there was no discussion from him about calling off the arrest.
9:45 a.m. – Warrant and ICE arrest discussed
Judge Ashley asked for a copy of the warrant and learned it was an administrative warrant. When asked if he asked agents to come to his office, he says no.
The chief judge is asked about April 18, when he was notified that ICE was on the sixth floor to make an arrest.
The definition of an administrative warrant is discussed, as well as a judicial warrant.
9:32 a.m. — Zoom meeting and emails are being discussed
An email from April from Judge Ashley is being shown, where he sets up a Zoom meeting to talk and attaches an ICE memorandum.
On April 8, in an email, Dugan asked for a “written protocol” and asked for a judge meeting. Dugan’s concerns about the arrest are discussed.
Another email is discussed, where ICE’s authority is discussed. Whether or not the judiciary has the authority to intervene is also discussed.
9:18 a.m. —Chief Judge Ashley takes the stand.
Judge Ashley discusses his responsibilities, which are to supervise and oversee judges and commissioners. He has been a judge for 26 years and chief judge since April 2023.
9:14 a.m. – Cross-examination underway by Biskupic.
There was a talk about an arrest in the hallway. The tone was professional between the chief judge and the federal agents.
9:09 a.m. – Talks about Judge Cervera being in the chief judge’s office – she helps arrange a call with the chief judge and a federal agent on her cellphone.
9:08 a.m. – Garbo says that Judge Ashley did not ask her to talk or bring federal agents in the hallway.
9:04 a.m. – The first witness is Stephanie Garbo, chief court administrator at the Milwaukee courthouse. She works in the chief justice’s office.
9 a.m. - Judge Adleman has arrived, bringing in the jury.
8:55 a.m. – Federal prosecutors have arrived.
8:54 a.m. – Judge Dugan has arrived at court.
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