Samuel Morgan v. Hardy, 7th Cir No. 10-3155, 11/7/11 seventh circuit decision Habeas – Recantation The Illinois state court didn’t mishandle either the facts or applicable law, and its rejection of State witness Prater’s post-trial recantation as incredible wasn’t unreasonable. The petitioner’s task is to “show[] that the state court determined an underlying factual issue against the clear and… Read more
2. Prejudice
Matthew Steffes v. Thurmer, 7th Cir No. 09-3317, 11/4/11 seventh circuit decision, denying habeas relief on review of 2006AP1633-CR The “concurrent sentence doctrine” – which “allows appellate courts to decline to review a conviction carrying a concurrent sentence when one ‘concurrent’ conviction has been found valid,” Cheeks v. Gaetz, 571 F.3d 680, 684-85 (7th Cir.2009) – doesn’t… Read more
State v. David W. Domke, 2011 WI 95, reversing unpublished decision; for Domke: Martha K. Askins, SPD, Madison Appellate; case activity Although Domke establishes deficient performance in several different respects, he fails to satisfy his burden of showing prejudice. Failure to object to hearsay testimony / medical treatment and diagnosis exception inapplicable to counselors and… Read more
Kathleen N. v. Brenda L. C., 2010AP2737, District 4, 10/27/11 court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Brenda l.C.: Eileen A. Hirsch, SPD, Madison Appellate; case activity Brenda isn’t entitled to a new TPR trial in the interests of justice, notwithstanding a line of inquiry that went to the respective financial capabilities of Brenda… Read more
State v. Edward Beck, 2010AP872-CR, District 4, 10/20/11 court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); pro se; case activity Circuit court is under no obligation to seek extension of the § 809.30(2) limitation period for its ruling on a postconviction motion. ¶6 Beck reads too much into the 2001 amendment to Wis. Stat. § 809.30(2)(i). The amendment simply added language… Read more
State v. Omark D. Ward, 2011 WI App 151 (recommended for publication); for Ward: Mary Scholle, SPD, Milwaukee Appellate; case activity Ineffective Assistance of Counsel – DNA Search Warrant Court commissioner’s order that Ward provide DNA sample violated “oath or affirmation” requirement for warrants: ¶10 Unless a person consents to giving a sample of his or her… Read more
Joseph Muniz v. Smith, 6th Cir. No. 09-2324, 7/29/11 sixth circuit court of appeal decision Habeas – Ineffective Assistance – Sleeping Counsel The fact that counsel has slept through a portion of trial does not, alone, amount to denial of counsel so as to require relief under United States v. Cronic, 466 U.S. 648 (1984), rather than inquiry into the prejudice component of Strickland… Read more
MC Winston v. Boatwright, 7th Cir No. 10-1156, 8/19/11 seventh circuit court of appeals decision, denying habeas relief on review of unpublished decision in 2003AP3412 and 2005AP1255 Habeas – Jury Selection – Ineffective Assistance – Defense Counsel’s Discriminatory Use of Peremptories In a nutshell, this case presents the question whether the constitutional rights of the… Read more
