On Point blog, page 14 of 22

Statute of Limitations: Attempted first-Degree Intentional Homicide

State v. Rodney A. Larson, 2011 WI App 106 (recommended for publication); for Larson: Chris Gramstrup; case activity

Prosecution for attempt rather than completed crime, §939.32, comes within the general limitation period in § 939.74(1). Therefore, although prosecution for homicide may be commenced at any time, § 939.74(2)(a), Larson’s prosecution for attempted first-degree intentional homicide had to be commenced within 6 years, and must be dismissed as untimely.

Read full article >

Equitable Estoppel: Can’t Bar Prosecution, as Matter of Law

State v. James M. Drown, 2011 WI App 53; for Drown: Shelley Fite, SPD, Madison Appellate; case activity

As a matter of law, equitable estoppel doesn’t bar prosecution of a crime. After pleading guilty to Shawano County charges related to an abduction and assault, Drown was charged in Oconto based on the same incident. The trial court granted a defense motion to dismiss on the ground of equitable estoppel,

Read full article >

OWI – Statute of Limitations

State v. Bradley A. Faber, 2010AP2325-CR , District 2, 3/23/11

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Faber: Susan E. Alesia, SPD, Madison Appellate; case activity

¶1        The State of Wisconsin appeals from an order of the circuit court dismissing the criminal charges against Bradley A. Faber.  Faber was issued a pair of citations for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) (First offense) by the City of Delavan in November 2005 and February 2006. 

Read full article >

CCW, § 941.23 – Unconstitutional as Applied

State v. Jeremy D. Pinnow, Milwaukee Co. Circ. Ct. No. 2010CM1978, 2/11/11

circuit court decision; case activity

Carrying concealed weapon charge dismissed, under as-applied (state) constitutional challenge, Art. I § 25. Pinnow had a cased, unloaded gun underneath the seat of his car, had himself been the recent victim of an armed robbery, believed with reason he was transporting the gun in a lawful manner, and wasn’t carrying the gun for an unlawful purpose.

Read full article >

Ineffective Assistance of Counsel – Voluntary Intoxication; Ineffective Assistance – State’s Closing Argument

State v. Richard L. Daniels, 2010AP1715-CR, District 3, 2/23/11

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Daniels: John M. Carroll; case activity

Ineffective Assistance of Counsel – Voluntary Intoxication

Voluntary intoxication requires that the defendant establish utter lack of capability to form the requisite intent; because Daniels’ version couldn’t make this showing, counsel’s failure to pursue the defense wasn’t deficient performance.

¶12      It was reasonable for Daniels’ trial counsel to view Daniels’ version of events as inconsistent with a voluntary intoxication defense,

Read full article >

Ineffective Assistance Claim – Necessity of Motion; Entrapment – Child Sex Crime with Computer

State v. Tushar S. Achha, 2009AP1977-CR, District 2, 1/26/11

court of appeals decision (3-judge, not for publication); pro se; case activity; State Resp.

Ineffective Assistance Claim – Necessity of Motion

Failure to preserve a challenge to trial counsel’s performance via postconviction motion waives the issue on appeal, ¶19.

Entrapment – Child Sex Crime with Computer

Challenge to sufficiency of evidence to negate entrapment defense rejected,

Read full article >

Jury Instructions; Ineffective Assistance; Record on Appeal; Self-Defense

State v. Morris L. Harris, 2009AP2833-CR,  District 1, 10/13/10

court of appeals decision (3-judge, not recommended for publication); for Harris: Gary Grass; BiC; Resp.; Reply

Lesser-Included Instruction – Battery

Harris not entitled to instruction on simple battery as lesser included of substantial battery; the medical evidence established without contradiction that the victim suffered a fractured rib, therefore no reasonable jury could have acquitted him of the greater offense,

Read full article >

Battery – Self-Defense – Sufficiency of Evidence; Sanctions – Improper Briefing

State v. Richard Martin Kubat, 2010AP509-CR, District 3, 9/21/10

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Kubat: Marc Grant Kurzman; BiC; Resp.

Battery – Self-Defense – Sufficiency of Evidence

A verbal confrontation between truckers at a truck stop eventuated in Belcher disabling Kubat’s truck and inviting Kubat to get his punk ass out of his cab “and get it.” Kubat accepted the invitation and brought his tire knocker along as his own guest.  

Read full article >

Venue: Instruction, Proof; Obstructing: Proof; Instruction: Recently Stolen Property

State v. Donald L. Schultz, 2010 WI App 124 (decision originally issued 7/20/10, subsequently withdrawn; reissued 8/17/10); for Schultz: Margaret A. Maroney, Steven D. Phillips, SPD, Madison Appellate; BiC; Resp.; Reply

Venue – Instruction

¶12 Although venue is not an element of a crime, it nonetheless must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt. State v.

Read full article >

Statute of Limitations – § 939.74(3) – Constitutionality; Pre-Charge Delay; Effective Assistance of Counsel – Investigation

Donald J. McGuire, 2010 WI 91, affirming unpublished decision; for McGuire: Robert R. Henak; BiC; Resp.; Reply

Statute of Limitations – § 939.74(3) – Constitutionality

Under § 939.74(3), the statute of limitations is tolled during “the time during which the actor was not publicly a resident within this state.” McGuire wasn’t a Wisconsin resident, but allegedly committed criminal acts in Wisconsin approximately 36 years before charges were issued.

Read full article >