by admin
on March 28, 2025
Jacob Alan Powers v. Jon Noble, No. 24-2134, 3/25/25
The Seventh Circuit found that Jacob Powers was competent to stand trial in a Wisconsin court in 2006 for sexual assault of a child and child enticement. Although Powers’ IQ was in the borderline/mild mental retardation range; his trial testimony, trial counsel’s decision not to challenge his competency, and two experts’ findings that he was competent convinced the Court that he reasonably understood the charges against him, trial procedures, and could assist his lawyer in his defense. The Court therefore affirmed the district court’s order denying Powers’ petition for a writ of habeas corpus. [continue reading…]
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by admin
on March 28, 2025
State v. Anthony J. LaRose, 2022AP647-CR, District 3, 3/25/25 (not recommended for publication); case activity (including briefs)
LaRose appeals an order denying his postconviction motion for resentencing on his conviction for first-degree sexual assault of a child, in which he claimed that the circuit court judge was biased against him based on three sets of facts. COA rejects all of LaRose’s arguments and affirms, holding that the court’s comments were related to appropriate sentencing factors and LaRose failed to establish sufficient risk of actual bias. [continue reading…]
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by admin
on March 25, 2025
Isaiah Taylor v. Justin Schwarzhuber, No. 23-3151, 3/17/25
In a rare win, Taylor will have another chance to prove that MPD officers violated his rights when they seized him while he was out delivering a Christmas turkey to a friend.
[continue reading…]
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by admin
on March 25, 2025
State v. Justin Dennis Krizan, 2022AP1341-CR, 3/4/25, District III (1-judge decision, ineligible for publication), case activity
Applying its recent holding in State v. Gore, 2025 WI App 11, ___ Wis. 2d ___, ___ N.W.3d ___ (see our post on Gore here), the COA concludes that Krizan’s consent to a blood draw was voluntary because he was not misinformed about the consequences of refusing to consent.
[continue reading…]
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by admin
on March 24, 2025
In their dissents from an order denying cert, two justices leave a trail of breadcrumbs for litigators frustrated by the discordant state of the law with respect to the Constitution’s Confrontation Clause.
[continue reading…]
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by admin
on March 23, 2025
Glossip v. Oklahoma, USSC No. 22-7466, 2/25/2025; Scotusblog page (with links to briefs and commentary)
In a 5-3 defense win, the legal system finally yields to the prosecutor’s concession that Glossip is entitled to a new trial.
[continue reading…]
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by admin
on March 21, 2025
State v. Jody William Solom, 2024AP691-CR, 3/19/25, District II (recommended for publication), case activity
Solom appeals from a judgment convicting him of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OWI), sixth offense. He asserts the investigative stop was unlawful and should have been suppression. COA disagrees and affirms.
[continue reading…]
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by admin
on March 21, 2025
State v. Martha R. Elsila, 2024AP1444-CR, 3/19/25, District II (1-judge decision, ineligible for publication); case activity
COA affirms restitution order on appeal challenging witness’s credibility and claiming IAC. COA deferred to the circuit court’s credibility determination given no evidence was presented to contradict witness, and found that appellant’s IAC claim was forfeited because it was not raised in the circuit court.
[continue reading…]
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