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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.
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Particular Examples of Misconduct, § 904.04(2) — “Reverse” Misconduct — 3rd-party similar crime as exoneration of defendant
State v. Daniel G. Scheidell, 227 Wis.2d 285, 595 N.W.2d 661 (1999), on reconsideration, State v. Scheidell, 230 Wis.2d 189, 601 N.W.2d 284 (1999), reversing State v. Scheidell, 220 Wis.2d 753, 584 N.W.2d 897 (Ct. App. 1998) For Scheidell: Mitchell E. Cooper, SPD, Madison. Holding: Scheidell sought to introduce evidence that, while he was in jail awaiting trial on this […]
Expert Testimony – Mental Disorder – Usefulness to Fact-Finder
State v. John J. Watson, 227 Wis.2d 167, 595 N.W.2d 403 (1999), reversing unpublished decision For Watson: Richard D. Martin, SPD, Milwaukee Appellate Holding: Admissibility of a psychologist’s (preliminary hearing, 980 proceeding) testimony that Watson’s crime was sexually motivated is upheld: ¶ 52. … While the average lay person may be able to draw reasonable […]
Miranda Waiver – Inaccurate Advice Re: Timing of Appointment of Counsel
State v. Frederick G. Jackson, 229 Wis. 2d 328, 600 N.W.2d 39 (Ct. App. 1999), affirmed on habeas review, Frederick G. Jackson v. Frank, 02-1979, 11/6/03 For Jackson: Allan D. Krezminski. Issue/Holding: During custodial interrogation, Jackson asked for an attorney, and the detective gave erroneous advice, namely that Jackson could have an attorney once charges “were established” […]
Jury – Selection – Bias / Disqualification – Juror’s Prior Criminal Record
State v. Robert A. Mendoza, 227 Wis.2d 838, 596 N.W.2d 736 (1999), reversing State v. Mendoza 220 Wis.2d 803, 584 N.W.2d 174 (Ct. App. 1998) For Mendoza: Michael K. Gould, SPD, Milwaukee Appellate Issue/Holding: Striking jurors (at state’s request) merely because they have criminal records is “an error of law,” ¶24. The court, however, goes on to review whether […]
Jury – Selection – Bias / Disqualification – Doubtful Fairness: Equivocal Expression
State v. James E. Erickson, 227 Wis.2d 758, 596 N.W.2d 749 (1999), on certification For Erickson: Glenn L. Cushing, SPD, Madison Appellate Issue/Holding: Though a juror gave a seemingly hedged answer (“I think so”) to whether she’d be fair and impartial, the trial court’s refusal to strike for cause is upheld given appellate deference to trial-level determination […]
Jury – Bias / Disqualification — Exposure to Extrinsic Information
State v. Edron D. Broomfield, 223 Wis.2d 465, 589 N.W.2d 225 (1999), affirming unpublished decision For Broomfield: Charles B. Vetzner, SPD, Madison Appellate Issue: Whether Broomfield was denied fair trial because juror overheard, prior to trial, prejudicial extraneous information relating to Broomfield’s past misconduct. Holding: Exposure to extrinsic information implicates the rule against verdict-impeachment, R. 906.06(2). The […]
Jury – Bias / Disqualification – Prospective Juror Familiarity with Theory of Defense
State v. Judith L. Kiernan, 227 Wis.2d 736, 596 N.W.2d 760 (1999), affirming State v. Kiernan, 221 Wis.2d 126, 584 N.W.2d 203 (Ct. App. 1998) For Kiernan: Chad A. Lanning, Dennis M. Melowski, Barry S. Cohen, S.C. Issue: Whether prospective jurors who had been part of a jury that two days earlier returned a verdict of guilty […]
Jury – Bias / Disqualification — Inaccurate / Incomplete Response During Voir Dire
State v. Edron D. Broomfield, 223 Wis.2d 465, 589 N.W.2d 225 (1999), affirming unpublished decision For Broomfield: Charles B. Vetzner, SPD, Madison Appellate Issue/Holding: One prospective juror heard, before trial, other prospective jurors describe Broomfield as a “gangster” who beat up kids and was involved in “drive-bys.” The juror was chosen for the petit jury; he […]
Voluntary Statements – General
State v. Lucian Agnello II, 2004 WI App 2, (AG’s) PFR filed 1/8/04, on appeal after remand, 2003 WI 44; prior history: State v. Agnello I, 226 Wis.2d 164, 593 N.W.2d 427 (1999) For Agnello: Jerome F. Buting, Pamela Moorshead Issue/Holding: ¶10. Police coercion and a defendant’s personal characteristics are interdependent concepts: the more vulnerable a person is […]
“Edwards” violation – voluntariness
State v. Jonathan L. Franklin, 228 Wis.2d 408, 596 N.W.2d 855 (Ct. App. 1999) For Franklin: Archie E. Simonson Holding: Statement taken in violation of right to counsel rule, Edwards v. Arizona, 451 U.S. 477 (1981) is not, for that reason alone, involuntary and is therefore admissible for impeachment purposes. The court doesn’t mention it, but […]
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