A report by the Washington Examiner reveals that the Wisconsin Capitol Police will not investigate the leaked draft order of the state Supreme Court's decision to hear an abortion rights case.

The police cited a "conflict of interest" as the reason for their decision, given that Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat who supports abortion rights, oversees the Capitol Police as part of his administration.

The leak, which occurred on June 26, disclosed that the Supreme Court had decided to take on a case brought by Planned Parenthood, arguing that abortion is a right protected by the Wisconsin Constitution.

Chief Justice Annette Ziegler responded by calling for an inquiry on June 26, right after the document leak surfaced publicly.

Despite the outcry for an investigation into the origins of the leak, which is seen as undermining the judiciary's integrity, the path to such an investigation is fraught with complications.

Conflict of Interest Cited by Capitol Police

The Wisconsin Capitol Police, part of Governor Tony Evers' administration, have stated that an investigation would be a conflict of interest.

Evers, a strong advocate for abortion rights, has a vested interest in how the Supreme Court rules on the case. An investigation would require reviewing internal operations, confidential correspondence, and nonpublic court documents, which could impact matters in which the administration is a party.

Gov. Evers is a named party in several matters currently pending before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. This complicates the situation further, as any investigation by the Capitol Police could be seen as biased or influenced by the governor’s stance on abortion rights.

The Capitol Police's decision not to investigate underscores the delicate balance between the executive and judicial branches.

Chief Justice Annette Ziegler called for an investigation into the draft order leak on June 26. The court’s members, comprising four left-leaning justices and three right-leaning justices, all condemned the breach and were looking to find out who was responsible. Ziegler expressed her intention to pursue other means to uncover the source of the leak.

Impact on the Abortion Rights Case

The leak of the draft order has significant implications for the abortion rights case. The case, brought by Planned Parenthood, argues that abortion is a right protected by the Wisconsin Constitution.

The Supreme Court’s decision to hear the case is crucial for the future of abortion rights in the state. The leak has drawn attention to the importance of the case and the potential impact of the court’s ruling.

The leak has also highlighted the sensitivity of the issue and the need for confidentiality in judicial proceedings. The breach of confidentiality has raised concerns about the integrity of the court’s decision-making process and the potential for external influences.

Alternative Investigative Measures

With the Capitol Police declining to investigate, other means of uncovering the source of the leak are being explored. Chief Justice Ziegler has stated that she intends to pursue alternative methods to resolve the leak. The court’s members have all condemned the breach and are committed to finding the responsible party.

The investigation into the leak is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the judicial process. The breach of confidentiality undermines the court’s ability to make impartial and unbiased decisions. The pursuit of alternative investigative measures is a step towards restoring public trust in the judicial system.

Conclusion

The Wisconsin Capitol Police have declined to investigate the leaked draft order of the state Supreme Court’s decision to hear an abortion rights case, citing a conflict of interest.

The leak, published by Wisconsin Watch, revealed the court’s intention to hear a case brought by Planned Parenthood. The Capitol Police’s decision not to investigate has highlighted the sensitivity of the issue and the potential for political interference.

Chief Justice Annette Ziegler has called for an investigation into the leak, and the court’s members are committed to finding the responsible party. The investigation is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the judicial process and restoring public trust in the court’s decision-making.