On Point blog, page 4 of 4
State v. Harry Thompson, 2009AP1505-CR, review granted 5/25/11
on petition for review of unpublished decision; for Thompson: J.P. La Chapelle; case activity
Issues (provided by court):
Whether the failure to inform Thompson of the applicable mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years of incarceration prior to trial violated Thompson’s constitutional due process rights.
Whether the complaint in this case was defective under Wis. Stat. § 970.02(1)(a) because it did not state the applicable mandatory minimum sentence,
Complaint – Sufficiency; Standard of Review – Transcripts not in Record
State v. Michael L. Gengler, 2010AP1999, District 2, 4/6/11
court of appeals (1-judge, not for publication); pro se; case activity
¶6 The trial court determined that the complaint and the amended complaint were proper, stating,
The complaint was duly sworn on oath. The complaint was signed and filed by an assistant district attorney as prescribed by WIS. STAT. § 968.02(1). The complaint alleges multiple violations of WIS.
Stalking, § 940.32: Notice of Charge, “Course of Conduct” / Elevation from Class I to H Felony Status
State v. Janet A. Conner, 2011 WI 8, affirming 2009 WI App 143; for Conner: Stephen E. Mays; case activity; Conner BiC; State Resp.; Reply
Stalking, § 940.32 – Notice of Charge, “Course of Conduct”
Stalking requires proof of, among other elements, a “course of conduct” which “means a series of 2 or more acts carried out over time,
Obstructing – Complaint, Probable Cause; Self-representation
State v. Richard A. Wusterbarth, 2010AP1306-CR, District 3, 2/1/11
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Wusterburth: Eileen A Hirsch, SPD, Madison Appellate; case activity; Wusterburth BiC; State Resp.; Reply
The complaint established probable cause for obstructing, § 946.41(1), by alleging that Wusterburth made a false report to the police that a neighbor was manufacturing drugs,
Notice of Mandatory Minimum
State v. Harry Thompson, 2009AP1505-CR, District 4, 11/24/10, reversed, 2012 WI 90
court of appeals decision (3-judge, not recommended for publication), reversed 2012 WI 90; for Thompson: J.P. La Chapelle; State BiC; Thompson Resp.; Reply; State Supp.; Thompson Supp.
Failure of the charging document to provide Thompson with notice that he faced a mandatory minimum confinement (25 years on each count) didn’t violate due process.
State v. Mark W. Sterling, 2009AP815-CR, District I, 5/4/10
court of appeals decision (3-judge, not recommended for publication); for Sterling: Dianne M. Erickson; BiC; Resp.; Reply
Charging Decision – Judicial Involvement
Increase in the charge, following trial judge’s veiled suggestion to the prosecutor that such an increase would be appropriate, wasn’t occasioned by judicial interference with prosecutorial discretion, ¶¶16-22.
Initially charged with first-degree reckless injury, Sterling was ultimately convicted on an amended charge of attempted first-degree intentional homicide.
State v. Janet A. Conner, 2008AP1296-CR, Wis SCt review grant, 3/16/10
decision below: 2009 WI App 143; for Conner: Steven J. House
Issues:
What degree of specificity is required in charging dates of allege conduct in a criminal information to satisfy the accused’s constitutional due process rights of notice of the charged offenses?
Does Wis. Stat. § 940.32(2m)(b) require that the state prove that a “course of conduct,” constituting two or more acts, occur after the operative prior conviction in order to establish a violation of the aggravated stalking offense?