On Point blog, page 14 of 15

Defense of Self, § 939.48 – Interplay with Imperfect Self-Defense

State v. Debra Ann Head, 2002 WI 99, reversing 2000 WI App 275, 240 Wis. 2d 162, 622 N.W.2d 9
For Head: John D. Hyland, Marcus J. Berghan

Issue/Holding:

¶84. To raise the issue of perfect self-defense, a defendant must meet a reasonable objective threshold. The trial evidence must show: (1) a reasonable belief in the existence of an unlawful interference;

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Defenses – “Statutory Double Jeopardy,” § 939.71 – Conviction of Lesser Offense as Bar to Homicide Prosecution following Victim’s Subsequent Death

State v. Trevor McKee, 2002 WI App 148, PFR filed 6/28/02
For McKee: Kenneth P. Casey, SPD, Jefferson Trial

Issue/Holding: Drafters of § 939.71 intended to incorporate general principles of law of double jeopardy as then (1953) existed – which includes the “necessary facts” exception (prosecution of greater not barred by conviction of lesser offense where all facts necessary to conviction of greater had yet to come into existence).

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Defenses – “Statutory Double Jeopardy,” § 939.71 – Federal Bank Robbery and State Armed Robbery

State v. Douglas J. Lasky, 2002 WI App 126, PFR filed 5/1
For Lasky: Eileen A. Hirsch, SPD, Madison Appellate

Issue/Holding: The elements of federal bank robbery, 18 USC § 2113(d), and state armed robbery, § 943.32(2), don’t exactly overlap, therefore conviction of former doesn’t bar prosecution of latter under § 939.71. ¶¶18-28.

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Defenses – Statute of Limitations – Tolling – § 939.74(4)

State v. James D. Miller, 2002 WI App 197, PFR filed 8/2/02
For Miller: Matthew H. Huppertz, Craig Kuhary, Daniel P. Fay

Issue/Holding: A verdict form requiring the jury to find that the offense occurred between March 1, 1989, and November 28, 1992, adequately established a time period for the offense. And, by finding that the victim was unable to complain due to the effects of the sexual contact or efforts by the defendant,

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§ 940.05(2), Intentional Homicide — Imperfect Self-Defense

State v. Debra Ann Head, 2002 WI 99, reversing 2000 WI App 275, 240 Wis. 2d 162, 622 N.W.2d 9
For Head: John D. Hyland, Marcus J. Berghan
Issue/Holding:

¶103. Based on the plain language of Wis. Stat. § 940.05(2), supported by the legislative history and articulated public policy behind the statute, we conclude that when imperfect self-defense is placed in issue by the trial evidence,

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Defenses – Imperfect Self-Defense – Jury Instructions

State v. Debra Ann Head, 2002 WI 99, reversing 2000 WI App 275, 240 Wis. 2d 162, 622 N.W.2d 9
For Head: John D. Hyland, Marcus J. Berghan

Issue/Holding:

¶103. Based on the plain language of Wis. Stat. § 940.05(2), supported by the legislative history and articulated public policy behind the statute, we conclude that when imperfect self-defense is placed in issue by the trial evidence,

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Defense of Others – Terminating Interference by Police Officer

State v. John F. Giminski, 2001 WI App 211, PFR filed 9/20/01
For Giminski: Edward J. Hunt

Issue: Whether the defendant was entitled to invoke the privilege of defense of others, § 939.48(4), in using potentially deadly force against police officers who had pulled a gun on his daughter while executing a valid warrant.

Holding:

¶13. (T)he privilege of defense of others, like the privilege of self-defense,

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Self-Defense – “McMorris” Acts of Prior Violence by Victim – Procedure on Determining Admisssibility

State v. Juan M. Navarro, 2001 WI App 225
For Navarro: Joseph M. Moore, SPD Trial, Juneau

Issue: Whether the trial court is required to conduct an in camera inspection of confidential records of the complaining witness, a correctional officer, relating to his possible abusive treatment of inmates, in a battery-by-prisoner trial where the defendant alleges self-defense.

Holding: The trial court’s denial of in camera inspection without first conducting an evidentiary hearing on materiality was erroneous: Access may not be denied simply because the records aren’t within the state’s possession;

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Defenses – “Statutory Double Jeopardy” – Drug Offenses – § 961.45

State v. Colleen E. Hansen, 2001 WI 53, 243 Wis. 2d 328, 626 N.W.2d 195, on certification
For Hansen: Pamela Pepper

Issue: “¶8 … ‘Does Wis. Stat. § 961.45 bar prosecution for the state crime of possession of cocaine with intent to deliver, where a defendant previously has been convicted, based on the same conduct, for the federal crime of conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute? Stated differently,

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Common Law Privileges – Self-Defense, as Applied to Carrying Concealed Weapon

State v. John V. Dundon, 226 Wis.2d 654, 594 N.W.2d 780 (1999), on certification
For Dundon: William S. Coleman, SPD, Milwaukee Appellate.

Holding:

¶36 In Coleman, we recognized that “a narrow defense of privilege under Wis. Stat. § 939.45(6) exists to a charge of felon in possession of a firearm.” Coleman, 206 Wis. 2d at 210.

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