UPDATE: A Wisconsin man has been sentenced to probation for stalking Chief Justice Jill Karofsky of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, following a plea deal that has raised eyebrows. Ryan Thornton, 37, from Racine, received a two-year probation sentence after pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges of intimidating a victim and disorderly conduct.
The case originated in October 2023, when Thornton was charged in Dane County with felony stalking. Prosecutors confirmed on Monday that they dismissed the stalking charge as part of the plea agreement. Thornton’s intimidating behavior included sending multiple threatening emails to Justice Karofsky, urging her to “eject” herself from office and requesting her home address.
According to court records, Justice Karofsky reported feeling unsafe due to Thornton’s messages, which led her to fear leaving her home even to retrieve her mail. In a disturbing revelation, she requested police escorts during public events, including games for the Milwaukee Brewers and Wisconsin Badgers.
Thornton’s attorney, Anthony John Jurek, has yet to respond to requests for comment from the press. The criminal complaint revealed that Thornton became frustrated with an attorney he hired for a previous legal matter, leading him to make over 70 calls to the Office of Lawyer Regulation, demanding action against the lawyer.
In addition to his probation, Thornton has been ordered to maintain no contact with Karofsky and is banned from entering Dane County, where the Supreme Court chambers are located in the capital city of Madison.
This case highlights serious concerns regarding the safety of public officials and the implications of stalking behaviors. As this story develops, it raises important questions about the legal system’s handling of such cases and the protections in place for those in positions of authority.
Stay tuned for updates on this evolving situation as authorities continue to address the implications of this ruling.