State v. Richard L. Kittilstad, 231 Wis.2d 245, 603 N.W.2d 732 (1999), affirming State v. Kittilstad, 222 Wis.2d 204, 585 N.W.2d 925 (Ct. App. 1998)
For Kittilstad: Richard L. Wachowski
Issue: Whether threats to interfere with educational opportunity may amount to extortion under § 943.30(1).
Holding: A threat to interfere with education is tantamount to a threat to a “calling or trade,” and therefore falls within the statute. ¶50.
Although the holding remains unaffected, evidence was subsequently produced that the witnesses “fabricate(d) allegations of maltreatment by Kittilstad as a ploy to obtain hardship visas,” and the conviction was vacated as a result, State v. Kittilstad, Case No. 2006AP2818, 10/2/07.