On Point blog, page 3 of 3

State v. Jeffrey A.W., 2010 WI App 29

court of appeals decision; for Jeffrey A.W.: Hans P. Koesser
Resp Br; Reply

Counsel – Adequacy of Investigation
Attempt to demonstrate absence of herpes in defendant—an issue central to this sexual assault prosecution—was, although  failure, not product of deficient performance, ¶12:

There is no question that trial counsel’s investigation yielded the wrong information. But that does not necessarily equate to deficient performance.

Read full article >

Counsel: Failed but Adequate Investigation; Interest-of-Justice Review: Critical Evidence (Absence of Herpes) Not Heard by Jury

State v. Jeffrey A.W., 2010 WI App 29; for Jeffrey A.W.: Hans P. Koesser

Adequacy of Counsel Investigation

Counsel’s attempt to demonstrate the absence of herpes in the defendant—an issue central to this sexual assault prosecution—was, although a failure, not the product of deficient performance.

¶12  There is no question that trial counsel’s investigation yielded the wrong information. But that does not necessarily equate to deficient performance.

Read full article >

Postconviction Motions — § 974.06, Supports Interest-of-Justice Review by Supreme Court

State v. Ralph D. Armstrong, 2005 WI 119, reversing unpublished decision
For Armstrong: Jerome Buting; Barry Scheck

Issue/Holding: Supreme court has both statutory and inherent authority to order new trial in the interest of justice, even on collateral review (as opposed to direct appeal), ¶¶119-24. (State v. Allen, 159 Wis. 2d 53, 464 N.W.2d 426 (Ct. App. 1990) (court of appeals has no authority under § 752.35 to engage in no authority to undertake interest-of-justice review on collateral attack) severely questioned if not explicitly overruled.

Read full article >