In January 2007, Christian Colon and Joel Rivera robbed Marty’s Party, a tavern on 37th and National Avenue in Milwaukee. During the robbery, Rivera shot and killed customer Nicholas Knutowski, and Rivera was subsequently charged with the robbery and shooting. However, in a stunning turn of events, the first-degree homicide charges against Joel Rivera were dropped after Christian Colon refused to testify against Rivera, as Colon had previously agreed as part of a plea deal with prosecutors.
Earlier this month, Colon was brought to the Milwaukee County Jail from Green Bay Correctional Institute to testify at the preliminary hearing against Rivera, however Colon and Rivera were placed in the same area in the jail, in violation of a court no contact order, and not surprisingly, Colon refused to testify against Rivera. Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke, not a fan of taking any blame for problems that occur under his supervision at the jail, was quick to deflect any blame away from the jail, saying he doubted that the error led to Colon’s decision not to testify.
While Sheriff Clarke wants to blame “cold feet” as the sole reason for Colon’s decision not to testify against Rivera, Colon’s own attorney made it clear why Colon chose not to testify:
“It was his mom, his aunt and his brother he was concerned about,” said Colon’s attorney, Nik Kostich. “The Riveras and the Colons all live in the same area. He didn’t want them to take revenge on his family.”
Here’s to hoping Sheriff David Clarke can get his staff to abide by court orders, lest another murderer find his charges dropped. After all, no family should have to see charges against the individual who murdered their loved one dropped because jail staff couldn’t do their jobs properly.
Not to defend Sheriff Clarke but that’s not all he said and the DA also said the same thing about witnesses getting cold feet. This was (once again) a very stupid mistake for a LE agency to make.
Anon, I know all too well how witnesses can get cold feet before testifying, but it certainly didn’t help matters any that the two men were put in the same area together.
Thank you Zach. I am Nick Knutowski’s sister. It has been devasating to see the dog who murdered my brother get away with it. We waited two years for justice and it never came. The legal system and Sheriff Clarke and his employees failed us. Nothing can bring my brother back, but now this scumbag will be free to murder again. I know he will get what he deserves someday…I only hope no one else gets hurt before that time comes.
I hope no one else gets hurt too, Lisa. There’s no denying the system is far from perfect, but it’s made even more imperfect when those running the system aren’t diligent in the execution of their duties.
I am Nick Knutowski’s sister. How do you think I feel knowing the dog who murdered my brother got away with it. Witnesses do get cold feet but come on! He was in the same holding cell as the guy! How can they say that had nothing to do with his decision not to testify? We waited two years for justice and it never came. The legal system AND Sheriff Clarke failed us! This has been devastating to my family and I. This scumbag will be free soon, if he is not already. Free to steal and murder and ruin more lives. But I do believe he will get what he deserves sooner or later. That is my only consolation.