Free Republic

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice N. Patrick Crooks died Monday at the court in Madison. Crooks, 77, had announced last week he would not seek re-election at the end of his term next year. He was in his 39th year as a Wisconsin jurist, with nearly 20 as a member of the state's high court. Crooks did not appear in person for oral arguments before the court on Friday, though he listened on Wisconsin Eye and participated in votes, Chief Justice Patience Roggensack said then. He did come to work on Monday for an administrative hearing, but excused himself before the...

Madison— Days before three state Supreme Court justices skipped ceremonies to admit new lawyers to the bar, Justice N. Patrick Crooks accused newly elected Chief Justice Patience Roggensack of breaking court rules by threatening to throw him off a case without any authority. Crooks and another justice also contended Roggensack had violated court rules by scheduling a conference to discuss three cases without the permission of all seven justices, emails between the justices show. The exchanges are the latest sign of turmoil on a court that has drawn national attention for infighting. Their disputes have been on public display in...