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On Point is a judicial analysis blog written by members of the Wisconsin State Public Defenders. It includes cases from the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, Supreme Court of Wisconsin, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

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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Sentencing Enhancer – Proof

State v. Christopher J. Holan, 2011AP1717-CR, District 3, 1/31/12

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Holan: Martha K. Askins; case activity

Holan’s admission to his prior felony conviction satisfied § 973.12(1); the court rejects his argument that the record must show his knowledge that  he faced increased punishment because of the prior conviction:

¶10      Holan’s reliance on Rachwal and Goldstein is misplaced.  

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Protective Placement – Sufficiency of Evidence

Outagamie County Department of Health and Human Services v. Gregory M., 2011AP1978, District 3, 1/31/12

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Gregory M.: Suzanne L. Hagopian, SPD, Madison Appellate; case activity

Evidence held sufficient to support  a “primary need for residential care and custody,” § 55.08(1)(a), notwithstanding that ” Gregory is able to perform most daily living activities with little or no assistance,” ¶¶13-15.

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Newly Discovered Evidence – Recantation

State v. Reynold C. Moore, 2010AP377, District 3/4, 1/26/12

court of appeals decision (not recommended for publication); for Moore: Byron C. Lichstein; case activity; prior history: 1997AP1193-CR, habeas relief deniedMoore v. Casperson, 345 F.3d 474 (7th Cir. 2003)

Moore seeks relief on the basis of newly discovered evidence in the form of a purported recantation of State witness James Gilliam’s trial testimony.

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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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CCW, § 941.23 (Pre-Act 35 Amendment) – Facially Constitutional

State v. Brian K. Little, 2011AP1740-CR, District 4, 1/26/12

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Little: Lane Fitzgerald; case activity

The court rejects  challenges to § 941.23, carrying concealed weapon, as facially violating the state and federal constitutional right to bear arms. (The statute presently allows concealed carry under specified circumstances, 2011 WI Act 35. Little was convicted under the prior version,

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Court of Appeals Publication Orders, 1/12

court of appeals publication orders, 1/25/12

On Point posts from this list:

2012 WI App 2 State v. Anthony L. Prineas

2012 WI App 6 State v. Kenneth M. Sobczak

2012 WI App 7 State v. Damon Keith Sutton

2012 WI App 8 State v. Anthony D. Guard

2012 WI App 10 State v.

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Mental Health Commitment – Sufficiency of Evidence

Manitowoc County v. Harlan H., 2011AP2499-FT, District 2, 1/25/12

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Harlan H.: Shelley Fite, SPD, Madison Appellate; case activity

Evidence that Harlan had put his wife in a headlock on one occasion and physically resisted a deputy’s attempt to detain him another, coupled with a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia, held sufficient to support ch. 51 commitment.

¶6        Wisconsin Stat. 

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On Point provides information (not legal advice) about important developments in the law. Please note that this information may not be up to date. Viewing this blog does not create an attorney-client relationship with the Wisconsin State Public Defender. Readers should consult an attorney for their legal needs.