Judge Hannah Dugan trial day 1: Opening statements get underway
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Monday morning, Dec. 15, opening statements were delivered in the federal trial of Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge Hannah Dugan. The case centers on accusations that Dugan interfered with federal agents trying to make an arrest inside the courthouse.
There are no cameras allowed inside the federal trial. The courtroom is very large, with 35-foot-high ceilings, wood paneling and carvings on very wall. There are three large video screens throughout the room to show evidence.
About 40 people packed the few benches in the courtroom gallery, with more people watching in an overflow viewing room.
Judge Dugan sat once again at the defense table Monday, wearing a black blazer, cream blouse, and black skirt. She looks at the jury members as they enter and exit the courtroom.
The prosecution gave its opening statement first.
Assistant U.S. attorney Keith Alexander started by quoting Judge Dugan as saying, "I'll do it. I'll get the heat." He added, "that's what the defendant said when she helped a man accused of battery avoid a lawful arrest."
For 48 minutes, attorney Alexander told the jury the federal agents' actions that day were routine. They identified themselves as security and told two bailiffs they were there to arrest Eduardo Flores Ruiz. He said Dugan originally planned to call a different case first.
But when Dugan was notified, the agents in the hallway, things changed.
Alexander said Dugan went out of her way to direct the agents out of the hallway, then quickly called Flores Ruiz's case, and then told his attorney to leave through a private door.
Alexander played audio from inside the courtroom. He said Dugan re-entering her courtroom and Flores Ruiz leaving, it took only two minutes and 49 seconds.
He closed by saying, "The agents did not expect a judge, sworn to uphold the law, would divide their arrest team and impede their jobs."
When it was time for Dugan's defense's opening statement, attorney Steven Biskupic said this is the most important week of her professional life.
His key focus argued nothing Dugan did was out of the ordinary, a sign she was not trying to deceive or conceal.
Biskupic said the door Dugan sent Flores Ruiz out is 11 feet and 10 inches from the main door and had a federal agent to the left and a federal agent to the right -- a sign Dugan was not trying to help Fores Ruiz elude the agents. He said the only interaction she had with agents lasted 19 seconds. He said no one told her there was a warrant to arrest Flores Ruiz. And he said Dugan had 33 cases that day -- 20 set for 8:30 a.m. alone, and fast proceedings were not unusual.
The first witness called was an FBI special agent who spent most of her time explaining the timeline of events and the layout of the courtroom and hallways.
Of note: the jury is down to 13 people because already one juror called in sick Monday morning.
The judge said it is cold and flu season, but that leaves just one alternate for the rest of the trial.
Meantime, outside the courthouse Monday morning, a rally was held in support of Dugan. Organizers said they want to send a message that due process matters and immigrant communities are important to our society.
