MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WTAQ) - The main Democratic candidate for governor will have a second operation on his right hand next Wednesday. Tom Barrett’s hand was broken by a tire iron last August, when he was attacked while leaving the State Fair. The Milwaukee mayor says 50 to 60 percent of his hand works properly – and the new surgery will re-adjust a bone in his index finger with the goal of making the hand stronger. He’ll have a third operation in up to 4 months to repair tendons.
20-year-old Anthony Peters has pleaded not guilty by insanity to causing the attack – which happened while Barrett was calling 911 to get help for a screaming woman. Barrett says he has to re-learn some basic skills like writing and tying his shoes. He wrote with his left hand for a few months after the beating, he said it gave him “good 3rd-grade penmanship.” He’s back to writing with his normal right hand – but he still uses the left from time to time.
