On Point blog, page 228 of 263

Interrogation – Scrupulously Honoring Right to Silence

State v. Zachary Ryan Wiegand, 2011AP939-CR, District 3, 2/7/12

court of appeals decision (not recommended for publication); for Wiegand: Brian C. Findley; case activity

Despite initially waiving his Miranda rights, Wiegand later unequivocally asserted his right to silence (“I don’t want to say anything more”); nonetheless, the interrogating officer did not scrupulously honor this invocation, and the ensuing statement along with all derivative evidence is therefore suppressed.

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TPR – Constitutionality, § 48.415(6)

Chippewa County Dept. of Human Services v. James A., 2011AP2613, District 3, 2/7/12

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for James A.: Susan E. Alesia, SPD, Madison Appellate; case activity

¶18      James does not allege Wis. Stat. § 48.415(6) implicates a First Amendment right.  Therefore, the threshold question is whether James’ conduct plainly falls within the statute’s proscriptions.  If it does, he is precluded from challenging the statute on vagueness grounds. 

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TPR – Request for Admissions

Dane Co. DHS v. Kevin D., 2011AP2748, District 4, 2/2/12

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Kevin: Steven Zaleski; case activity

Kevin’s failure to respond to the County requests for admission, § 804.11(2), led the trial court to deem those requests admitted, and then to grant summary judgment as to grounds based on the “deemed admissions.” The court of appeals rejects Kevin’s challenge to the admissions: he was given adequate notice as to the consequences for failure to respond,

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TPR – Jury Instructions: Waiver of Issue; Ineffective Assistance

Heather T. C. v. Donald M. H., 2010AP467, District 2, 2/1/12

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Donald: Thomas K. Voss; case activity

Failure to object at trial waived appellate challenge to jury instructions and verdict form that combined two separate periods of abandonment as grounds for termination.

 ¶6        Failure to object to proposed jury instructions or verdicts at the instruction and verdict conference constitutes waiver of any error in the instructions or verdicts.  

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Mental Health Commitment – Dangerousness

Winnebago County v. Nathan W., 2011AP2099, District 2, 2/1/12

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Nathan W.: Martha K. Askins, SPD, Madison Appellate; case activity

¶3        Here, Dr. Zerrien’s testimony at the commitment hearing supported the circuit court’s commitment order.  Dr. Zerrien was Nathan’s treating psychiatrist.  Dr. Zerrien testified based on his treatment of Nathan and his review of Nathan’s medical records.  Dr. Zerrien testified that Nathan has bipolar disorder and that this mood disorder grossly impairs him when he is not under treatment,

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Sentencing Enhancer – Proof

State v. Christopher J. Holan, 2011AP1717-CR, District 3, 1/31/12

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Holan: Martha K. Askins; case activity

Holan’s admission to his prior felony conviction satisfied § 973.12(1); the court rejects his argument that the record must show his knowledge that  he faced increased punishment because of the prior conviction:

¶10      Holan’s reliance on Rachwal and Goldstein is misplaced.  

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Protective Placement – Sufficiency of Evidence

Outagamie County Department of Health and Human Services v. Gregory M., 2011AP1978, District 3, 1/31/12

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Gregory M.: Suzanne L. Hagopian, SPD, Madison Appellate; case activity

Evidence held sufficient to support  a “primary need for residential care and custody,” § 55.08(1)(a), notwithstanding that ” Gregory is able to perform most daily living activities with little or no assistance,” ¶¶13-15.

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Newly Discovered Evidence – Recantation

State v. Reynold C. Moore, 2010AP377, District 3/4, 1/26/12

court of appeals decision (not recommended for publication); for Moore: Byron C. Lichstein; case activity; prior history: 1997AP1193-CR, habeas relief deniedMoore v. Casperson, 345 F.3d 474 (7th Cir. 2003)

Moore seeks relief on the basis of newly discovered evidence in the form of a purported recantation of State witness James Gilliam’s trial testimony.

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CCW, § 941.23 (Pre-Act 35 Amendment) – Facially Constitutional

State v. Brian K. Little, 2011AP1740-CR, District 4, 1/26/12

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Little: Lane Fitzgerald; case activity

The court rejects  challenges to § 941.23, carrying concealed weapon, as facially violating the state and federal constitutional right to bear arms. (The statute presently allows concealed carry under specified circumstances, 2011 WI Act 35. Little was convicted under the prior version,

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Mental Health Commitment – Sufficiency of Evidence

Manitowoc County v. Harlan H., 2011AP2499-FT, District 2, 1/25/12

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Harlan H.: Shelley Fite, SPD, Madison Appellate; case activity

Evidence that Harlan had put his wife in a headlock on one occasion and physically resisted a deputy’s attempt to detain him another, coupled with a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia, held sufficient to support ch. 51 commitment.

¶6        Wisconsin Stat. 

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