Jacob Blake pleads not guilty in domestic case

Jacob Blake pleaded not guilty Friday to charges filed in a domestic incident that allegedly took place nearly two months before he was shot by a Kenosha police officer, leading to protests and civil unrest.

An arrest warrant for Blake was issued July 7 on a felony count of third-degree sexual assault as well as misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and trespassing.

There is no indication the warrant has anything to do with the incident on Aug. 23, when police shot Blake in the back at least seven times. A state investigation is continuing.

Blake, who remains hospitalized and appeared at the hearing via Zoom, was released on his own recognizance. Kenosha County Court Commissioner Loren Keating ordered Blake to have no violent contact with the alleged victim or her children. Keating also ordered that Blake not possess a violent weapon and that he stay in Wisconsin unless seeking medical treatment outside the state.

Blake waived his right to a preliminary hearing. Kenosha County Circuit Judge Bruce Schroeder will oversee the case. A pretrial conference will take place Oct. 21, with jury selection Nov. 9.

Patrick Cafferty, Blake’s attorney, said his client doesn’t have any criminal convictions in Wisconsin or any other state.