(Published Friday, January 5, 2007 10:59:17 AM CST)
A d v e r t i s e m e n t
By Carla McCann Gazette staff
WHITEWATER-Although many incumbents are running unopposed in the April election, one bid for re-election has raised more than a few eyebrows in Whitewater.
Last February, the city's municipal judge, Steven C. Spear, was accused of forcibly trying to kiss a female employee while in his private law office downtown.
Afterward, he masturbated in front of the woman, according to court documents.
Police searched the attorney's office at 331 W. Whitewater St. that night for evidence of lewd and lascivious behavior and found nine suspected semen stains, according to the search warrant return that was filed March 2.
The DNA samples were sent to the state crime lab in Madison, where they have been ever since, said Dana Nigbor, captain of the detective bureau for the Walworth County Sheriff's Department.
"Until it's processed and we have information, the department is in a holding pattern," Nigbor said. "The crime lab is so far behind. Realistically, it could be another year before the results are known."
The lab sets its own priorities, Nigbor said.
"We're waiting for evidence to come back, and then we'll proceed," Nigbor said. "You're innocent until found guilty. I know it's frustrating for the victim. Unfortunately, that's all we can do at this point."
No charges have been filed against Spear, and he has not been arrested.
Neither Spear nor the woman involved in the case returned telephone calls Thursday from a Janesville Gazette reporter.
To avoid conflicts of interest, the Walworth County District Attorney's Office referred the case to the Kenosha County District Attorney's Office.
"It's sitting on my desk," said Richard Ginkowski, an assistant DA in Kenosha County. "I'm waiting to do something with it."
