MADISON – Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) is expressing outrage that crime victims’
constitutional rights are being clearly and deliberately ignored by Governor Tony Evers and his
Parole Commission. Wanggaard was the senate author of Wisconsin’s Crime Victims’ Rights
Amendment, popularly known as “Marsy’s Law.”
“Voters overwhelmingly approved Marsy’s Law to make sure crime victims were informed and
had a voice in parole hearings,” said Wanggaard. “It’s clear as day. Victims have the
constitutional right to attend hearings or have a voice. The Governor doesn’t get to be “open to”
it, and his appointees don’t get to decide whether victims have that right. It’s not just the law, it’s
the Constitution!”
Wanggaard sent a public letter to Governor Evers today, after reading that Evers was “open to
giving victims a ‘voice at the table’ with Wisconsin’s parole system. 1 ” This follows Acting
Parole Commission Chair, Christopher Blythe, not allowing public comment at his first meeting. 2
Late last month, it was discovered the previous chairman, John Tate, believed it was up to him if
victims’ could attend parole hearings 3 . WisconsinRightNow.com also discovered that many
crime victims were not notified of the parole of the person who caused them harm.
“This is blatant disregard for the Wisconsin Constitution and crime victims’ rights, “said
Wanggaard. “I worked for five years to make sure crime victims had a constitutional right to be
heard and attend hearings – including at parole. Evers and his staff don’t’ get to ignore it. They
must enforce it.”
