Gay volunteer for GOP campaign recants beating story
Tue. October 30, 2012 7:48 AM by Wisconsin Gazette
Madison, WI -
A gay volunteer for Republican Chad Lee's congressional campaign told the Madison Police Department this week that he recanted the claim he was beaten by an unknown assailant at his home on Oct. 24.
The MPD, in an updated incident report on Oct. 29, said, 29-year-old Kyle Wood of Madison met with the MPD that day. The report said, "In an interview this afternoon with Madison Police detectives, the victim in this case recanted his earlier statements in regards to this crime. This crime, alleged to have occurred on High Street in the South Police District, will be cleared as 'Unfounded' for case reporting purposes. Once follow up investigation is completed, MPD's case file will be reviewed with Dane County District Attorney's Office."
The first incident report from the police department, based on Wood's false claims, listed the incident as a battery and stated, "A 29-year-old ... resident contacted the MPD Wednesday morning to report a battery inside his residence. The victim said a man entered through an unlocked door around 8:00 a.m. and attacked him. He said nothing was taken. Investigators believe this was not a random crime. The victim was treated at a hospital and released."
Wood then told the conservative Daily Caller website in an email that he answered a knock at his door and a guy wrapped a ligature around his neck, slammed his head into the doorway, smashed his face into a mirror and told him to keep his mouth shut. He also said he was "kidney-punched" as the assailant continued the beating.
He was hospitalized with injuries that the police described for the Capital Times as minor.
Earlier in October, Wood claimed someone put graffiti on his car. The alleged messages included, "house trained republican faggot," "traitor" and "ur like a jew 4 hitler," according to the Daily Caller report.
Lee is running against openly gay state Rep. Mark Pocan, D, for the U.S. House seat being vacated by Tammy Baldwin, who is running against Tommy Thompson for the U.S. Senate.
The police, in the initial incident report described the suspect as mid-20s, 6'-6'2", curly brown hair, broad nose, with a muscular build.
After that report, Lee issued a statement that said, "We are deeply concerned about what happened to Kyle, who is an invaluable member of our team. We understand he is cooperating with the Madison Police Department in their ongoing investigation into this horrible incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with Kyle in his recovery."
"As this matter is still under investigation by law enforcement, we cannot comment further other than that we condemn this vicious attack on a member of our team in the strongest terms, and we hope the perpetrator responsible for this attack will be brought to justice immediately."
Police are still investigating and may bring charges against Wood.
The MPD, in an updated incident report on Oct. 29, said, 29-year-old Kyle Wood of Madison met with the MPD that day. The report said, "In an interview this afternoon with Madison Police detectives, the victim in this case recanted his earlier statements in regards to this crime. This crime, alleged to have occurred on High Street in the South Police District, will be cleared as 'Unfounded' for case reporting purposes. Once follow up investigation is completed, MPD's case file will be reviewed with Dane County District Attorney's Office."
The first incident report from the police department, based on Wood's false claims, listed the incident as a battery and stated, "A 29-year-old ... resident contacted the MPD Wednesday morning to report a battery inside his residence. The victim said a man entered through an unlocked door around 8:00 a.m. and attacked him. He said nothing was taken. Investigators believe this was not a random crime. The victim was treated at a hospital and released."
Wood then told the conservative Daily Caller website in an email that he answered a knock at his door and a guy wrapped a ligature around his neck, slammed his head into the doorway, smashed his face into a mirror and told him to keep his mouth shut. He also said he was "kidney-punched" as the assailant continued the beating.
He was hospitalized with injuries that the police described for the Capital Times as minor.
Earlier in October, Wood claimed someone put graffiti on his car. The alleged messages included, "house trained republican faggot," "traitor" and "ur like a jew 4 hitler," according to the Daily Caller report.
Lee is running against openly gay state Rep. Mark Pocan, D, for the U.S. House seat being vacated by Tammy Baldwin, who is running against Tommy Thompson for the U.S. Senate.
The police, in the initial incident report described the suspect as mid-20s, 6'-6'2", curly brown hair, broad nose, with a muscular build.
After that report, Lee issued a statement that said, "We are deeply concerned about what happened to Kyle, who is an invaluable member of our team. We understand he is cooperating with the Madison Police Department in their ongoing investigation into this horrible incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with Kyle in his recovery."
"As this matter is still under investigation by law enforcement, we cannot comment further other than that we condemn this vicious attack on a member of our team in the strongest terms, and we hope the perpetrator responsible for this attack will be brought to justice immediately."
Police are still investigating and may bring charges against Wood.
Article provided in partnership with Wisconsin Gazette.