Reply #49: Cop takes Fifth -- 153 times in 51 minutes

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http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/46730512.html

By John Diedrich of the Journal Sentinel
June 2, 2009



Milwaukee Police Officer Bradley Blum, who was at the party where Frank Jude Jr. (at right) was beaten, has answered questions under oath several times for police investigators, at a Fire and Police Commission hearing (where he saved his job) and in state court.

He also was ready to testify in federal court where four MPD cops were on trial for beating Jude. (seven of the eight charged were convicted). All the times he testified, Blum said he was standing near Jude but didn't see him beaten -- just punched a few times.

Now Blum won't answer questions. Jude filed a $30 million civil rights lawsuit against the city and officers involved (Blum isn't a defendant). Attorneys have taken a dozen depositions and so far, no one has refused to answer questions, or in other words taken the Fifth.

But that is what Blum did last month. In fact, he did it 153 times in 51 minutes. He would only answer this question: what is your name? He wouldn't answer any others, including what he does for a living.

Blum is a Milwaukee police officer, restored to that position by the commission after former Chief Nannette Hegerty fired him for failing to protect Jude and gross misconduct.