Another Wisconsin justice steps out of discipline case

Justice Michael Gableman won't hear case

MADISON, Wis. — A third Wisconsin Supreme Court justice is stepping out of a colleague’s discipline case.

As expected, Justice Michael Gableman on Friday recused himself from hearing the case involving fellow Justice David Prosser.

Gableman joins justices Annette Ziegler and Pat Roggensack in saying he would not take part in considering the March complaint against Prosser by the Wisconsin Judicial Commission, which has accused Prosser of violating judicial ethics when he allegedly wrapped his hands around the neck of Justice Ann Walsh Bradley during an argument last year.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports the state Supreme Court is now short of a quorum to hear the case.

Counting Prosser — and the recusals of three other conservatives — leaves only three justices of the seven-member court to hear the complaint.