On Point blog, page 60 of 133

State v. Brian K. Avery, 2011 WI App 148, rev. granted 2/23/12

on review of published opinion; for Avery: Keith A. Findley, Tricia J. Bushnell; case activity; prior post

Newly Discovered Evidence / Interest of Justice – New Forensic Method

Issues (composed by On Point): 

1. Whether new scientific photogrammetric analyses by expert witnesses, indicating that the suspect in video surveillance was shorter than Avery, entitles him to a new trial on the ground of newly discovered evidence.

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Probation – Length of Term, Authority to Reduce

State v. Carl L. Dowdy, 2012 WI 12, affirming 2010 WI App 58; for Dowdy: Bryan J. Cahill; Amicus: Dustin Haskell (SPD), Robert Henak (WACDL); case activity

¶4   We conclude that Wis. Stat. § 973.09(3)(a) does not grant a circuit court authority to reduce the length of probation.  Rather, the plain language of § 973.09(3)(a) grants a circuit court authority only to “extend probation for a stated period”

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Juror Bias / Disqualification – Waiver of Issue: Use of Peremptory to Remove Juror

State v. Sharon A. Sellhausen, 2012 WI 5, reversing 2010 WI App 175; for Sellhausen: Byron C. Lichstein; case activity

The trial judge’s daughter-in-law was part of the jury pool; Sellhausen didn’t seek her removal for cause, but used a peremptory to strike her, which rendered harmless any possible error in the trial judge sua sponte failing to remove the juror for cause.

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Fleeing, Elements: “Willful or Wanton Disregard”; Evidence – Character Trait of “Victim,” § 904.04(1)(b)

State v. Daniel H. Hanson, 2012 WI 4, affirming 2010 WI App 146; for Hanson: Robert R. Henak, Chad Lanning; case activity

Fleeing, § 346.04(3) – Elements: “Willful or Wanton Disregard” 

Fleeing does not require “an evil or malicious state of mind” when disregarding an officer’s signal:

¶22  In Wis. Stat. § 346.04(3), “willful” modifies “disregard.”  In that context,

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State v. Dimitrius Anagnos, 2011 WI App 118, rev. granted 1/25/12

on review of published opinion; for Anagnos: Barry S. Cohen; case activity; prior post

Traffic Stop – Reasonable Suspicion – OWI Refusal Hearing Challenge to Arrest

Issues (composed by On Point): 

1. Whether the officer could lawfully stop Anagnos’ vehicle for failing to use a turn signal where neither traffic nor pedestrians were present, § 346.34(1)(b).

2. Whether the officer had reasonable suspicion to stop Anagnos’

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State v. Dennis D. Lemoine, 2010AP2597-CR, rev. granted 1/25/12

on review of unpublished opinion; for Lemoine: Donna L. Hintze, Katie R. York, SPD, Madison Appellate; case activity

Involuntary Statement – Coercion 

Issue (composed by On Point): 

Whether Lemoine’s in-custody statement was involuntary given the following police tactics:

  • promising that in exchange for the “true story” he would not go to jail that night;
  • telling him that he would not be able to contact an attorney while at the jail;
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Probable Cause – PBT

State v. Jason E. Goss, 2011 WI 104, affirming court of appeals summary order;  for Goss: Daniel J. Chapman; case activity

¶2   We are asked to determine whether the officer’s request for the PBT breath sample was made in violation of Wis. Stat. § 343.303, which states that an officer “may request” a PBT breath sample “[i]f a law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that the person is violating or has violated s.

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State v. Joseph C. Miller, 2010AP557-CR, rev. granted 12/13/11

on review of summary opinion; for Miller: Martha K. Askins, SPD, Madison Appellate; case activity

Terry Stop – Reasonable Suspicion

Issue (composed by On Point): 

Whether information obtained from a jail inmate and other, anonymous sources established reasonable suspicion for a Terry stop.

Neither the court of appeals summary order nor Miller’s petition for review is available on-line. The briefs filed in the court of appeals indicate that Miller’s car was stopped after the police received information that he was transporting drugs.

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State v. Michael L. Frey, 2010AP2801-CR, rev. granted 12/14/11

on review of unpublished decision; for Frey: Devon M. Lee, SPD, Madison Appellate; case activity

Sentencing Discretion – Reliance on Dismissed Charge

Issue (composed by On Point): 

Whether sentencing discretion was erroneously exercised by undue reliance on, including unfounded inferences drawn from, a charge dismissed “outright.”

Frey was charged with sexually assaulting two girls. Both testified at the preliminary hearing. Frey ended up pleading no contest to assaulting one,

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State v. Scott E. Ziegler, 2010AP2514-CR, rev. granted 12/14/11

on certification by-pass of court of appeals; for Ziegler: Christopher William Rose; case activityprior post

Interfering with Custody, § 948.31(2) 

Issue (from Certification): 

In State v. Bowden, 2007 WI App 234, 306 Wis. 2d 393, 742 N.W.2d 332, we analyzed Wis. Stat. § 948.31(2), which deals with criminal charges for interference with custody of children.  There,

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