On Point blog, page 14 of 15
State v. Donovan M. Burris, 2009AP956-CR, Wis SCt rev granted 9/21/10
decision below: unpublished; prior On Point post; for Burris: Byron C. Lichstein
Issue (from Table of Pending Cases):
Was the trial court’s supplemental jury instruction that was issued in response to a question from the jury and that quoted verbatim from a Supreme Court opinion an impermissibly misleading instruction under the standards established by State v. Lohmeier, 205 Wis. 2d 183,
Obstructing – Unanimity – Course of Conduct; Obstructing – Sufficiency of Proof
State v. Jennette L. Ellifritz, 2010AP713-CR, District 2, 9/1/10
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Ellifritz: Gary Grass; BiC; Resp.; Reply
Obstructing – Unanimity – Course of Conduct
Because Ellifritz’s actions occurred during a single course of action, over a short (40-second) period of time, instructional failure to require agreement as to which separate act constituted obstructing didn’t violate her right to unanimous verdict;
Evidence / IAC: Comment on Refusal to Provide DNA; Instruction: Recording Policy Interrogation; Impeachment: Prior Convictions
State v. Tarence A. Banks, 2010 WI App 107; for Banks: Scott D. Obernberger; BiC; Resp.; Reply
Evidence – Comment on Refusal to Provide DNA – Ineffective Assistance
Prosecutorial use of Banks’ refusal, after arrest, to provide a warrantless DNA sample penalized him for exercising a constitutional right. Because no contemporaneous objection was made, the issue is raised as ineffective assistance of counsel,
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State v. Donald L. Schultz, 2010 WI App 124 (decision originally issued 7/20/10, subsequently withdrawn; reissued 8/17/10); for Schultz: Margaret A. Maroney, Steven D. Phillips, SPD, Madison Appellate; BiC; Resp.; Reply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.
Jury Instructions: Exposing Child to Harmful Materials – Accident Defense – Waiver; Evidence: Richard A.P. – Corroboration Rule; Evidence: Character – Polygraph Offer; Voluntary Statement
State v. Esteban M. Gonzalez, 2010 WI App 104, reversed, 2011 WI 63, see: this post; for Gonzalez: Kristin Anne Hodorowski; BiC; Resp.; Reply
Jury Instructions – Exposing Child to Harmful Materials
The pattern instruction on exposing a child to harmful material, § 948.11(2)(a), accurately recites the elements, including scienter.
¶11 We agree with the trial court’s assessment that the pattern instruction accurately states the law.
State v. Shane R. Heindl, No. 2009AP2534-CR, District IV, 5/27/10
court of appeals decision (1-judge; not for publication); for Heindl: Lisa A. McDougal; BiC; Resp.; Reply
Jury Instructions – Self-Defense
Trial for battery, which the State theorized occurred when Heindl put Lien in a headlock from behind. Heindl himself suffered scratches and swelling about an eye, but was seriously drunk and had difficulty giving a coherent account to the police. He did not testify,
State v. David S. Hehn, 2008AP3202-CR, Dist II, 2/8/10
court of appeals decision (3-judge, not recommended for publication); Resp Br; Reply
“Great Bodily Harm”
Instruction defining “great bodily harm” as “serious bodily injury” adequate, under controlling authority of State v. Mahlik D. Ellington, 2005 WI App 243, ¶¶6-10.
State v. Donovan M. Burris, 2009AP956-CR, Dist I, 1/26/10, Wis SCt review granted 9/21/10
court of appeals decision (not recommended for publication), reversed, 2011 WI 32; for Burris: Byron C. Lichstein; BiC; Resp.; Reply
Answer to Jury Question – Misleading Definition of “Utter Disregard”
Trial court answer to jury question misleading as to whether jury could consider post-shooting conduct as bearing on “utter disregard” element, entitling Burris to new trial.
State v. Christopher J. Lesik, 2010 WI App 12, PFR filed
court of appeals decision; for Lesik: Anthony Cotton
Overbreadth challenge to 948.02, sexual assault of a child
Sexual assault (intercourse) of a child, § 948.02, isn’t unconstitutionally overbroad, against a theory that it criminalizes acts undertaken for “proper medical purpose.” Although the statute is silent with respect to medical conduct, potential overbreadth may be cured through judicial construction and the court therefore “conclude(s) here that ‘sexual intercourse’ as used in the sexual assault of a child statute does not include ‘bona fide medical,
Obstructing, § 946.41 – “Incomplete” Instruction, “Lawful Authority” – Harmless Error
State v. Kelly R. Ferguson, 2009 WI 50, reversing unpublished opinion
For Ferguson: Jefren E. Olsen, SPD, Madison Appellate
Issue/Holding: Where it was clear not only that Ferguson obstructed the police outsideher apartment but also that the jury so found, arguable omission of a “complete” instruction on whether the police acted with lawful authority in entering her apartment was harmless:
¶43 The jury instruction here was a correct statement of the law for police actions outside of Ferguson’s home.