As part of its “Democracy on the Ballot” series, Wisconsin Watch is highlighting barriers to voting as part of its commitment to strengthening democracy through stories about policies and laws that keep people from participating in our system of self-governance.
Author Archives: Dee J. Hall / Wisconsin Watch
Dee J. Hall, a co-founder of the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, joined the staff as managing editor in June 2015. She is responsible for the Center’s daily news operations. She worked at the Wisconsin State Journal for 24 years as an editor and reporter focusing on projects and investigations.
A 1982 graduate of Indiana University’s journalism school, Hall served reporting internships at the weekly Lake County Star in Crown Point, Ind., The Gary (Ind.) Post-Tribune, The Louisville (Ky.) Times and The St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times. Prior to returning to her hometown of Madison in 1990, she was a reporter for eight years at The Arizona Republic newspaper in Phoenix, where she covered city government, schools and the environment. During her 35-year journalism career, Hall has won more than three dozen local, state and national awards for her work, including the 2001 State Journal investigation that uncovered a $4 million-a-year secret campaign machine operated by Wisconsin’s top legislative leaders.
Posted inJustice & Safety, Open and Shut
Deals Vince Biskupic made as a prosecutor and judge raise questions of fairness in Wisconsin’s justice system
As Outagamie County district attorney, Biskupic let potential defendants buy their way out of trouble. As a judge, he offered deals that fell in a ‘gray area’ of the law.
Posted inJustice & Safety, Open and Shut
Wisconsin prosecutor campaigned on his record — but some high-profile cases had hidden flaws
One of Outagamie County District Attorney Vince Biskupic’s cases involved a rewritten police report; another, an exoneration.
Posted inJustice & Safety, Open and Shut
Two decades after high-profile murder trial, questions remain in the prosecution of Ken Hudson
A possible Miranda violation, a missing taped ‘confession,’ and an improperly charged girlfriend among the flaws in Vince Biskupic’s case.
Posted inJustice & Safety, Open and Shut
A horrific murder. Police helped a key witness. The prosecutor kept it secret.
District Attorney Vince Biskupic never revealed how police helped his witness. But she finally did — more than 20 years after the fact.
Posted inJustice & Safety, Open and Shut
Two prosecutors accused a man of plotting to murder one of them. Years later, a different story emerged.
The Wisconsin case was tainted by secret tapes, unreliable witnesses and a supposed ‘hit’ plot against Winnebago County District Attorney Joe Paulus.
Posted inJustice & Safety, Open and Shut
The rise and fall of Winnebago County District Attorney Joe Paulus reveals the immense power of prosecutors – and how it can be abused
This is the second installment of Open and Shut, a seven-part podcast and online series investigating the virtually unchecked power of prosecutors. See the entire project at wpr.org/openandshut Episode 2 – The Golden Boy Remember the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic? Way back in 2020, when everyone was stocking up on hand sanitizer and toilet […]
Posted inJustice & Safety, Open and Shut
Prosecution included questionable witnesses, racial stereotype, in 2000 arson trial of Dale Chu
The Outagamie County case featured District Attorney Vince Biskupic who called one of his key witnesses ‘credible’ — then charged him with perjury 10 days later.
Posted inOpinion
Your Right to Know: Local news deserves a break today
In recent years, the news business in Wisconsin has seen a lot of bad news. Dozens of newspapers have closed. Revenues are way down. Staffs are being trimmed. And “vulture” hedge funds are circling, threatening to pick clean the bones of this once robust industry.
Posted inNews about Wisconsin Watch
Help democracy: Donate to Wisconsin Watch!
Our in-depth journalism takes a lot of time and money. It is only possible because of the financial support of people like you.
Posted inFlawed Forensics, Health & Welfare, Justice & Safety
Jury rejects child abuse charge triggered by former University of Wisconsin doctor
Dr. Barbara Knox’s declaration of ‘obvious child abuse’ fell apart after a five-day trial that centered on the controversial diagnosis of abusive head trauma.
Posted inOpinion
Your Right to Know: Bill Lueders named to National Freedom of Information Hall of Fame
Bill Lueders was a young journalist at Madison’s Isthmus newspaper in the late 1980s when he learned the value of public records. Lueders wanted to see the complaints filed by citizens against the Madison police.