State v. James R. Thiel, 2003 WI 111, reversing unpublished opinion of court of appeals For Thiel: Bruce J. Rosen Issue/Holding: ¶37. Turning to counsel’s performance, we first recognize that counsel’s failure to review certain portions of the discovery provided by the prosecution–especially Dr. Metzler’s medical reports–was deficient performance as a matter of law. In a felony case… Read more
2. Prejudice
State v. James R. Thiel, 2003 WI 111, reversing unpublished opinion of court of appeals For Thiel: Bruce J. Rosen Issue/Holding: ¶51. Third, counsel’s interpretation of Wis. Stat. § 972.11(3) reflects a failure either to research or correctly interpret relevant portions of the law. The circuit court found that counsel interpreted this statute as allowing the defense to prevent the State… Read more
State v. Evan Zimmerman, 2003 WI App 196, (AG) PFR filed 9/10/03 For Zimmerman: Keith A. Findley, UW Law School Issue/Holding: Counsel’s admittedly non-tactical failure to obtain DNA results on hair found on the victim’s pants and on scrapings from her fingernails was deficient, similar to State v. Glass, 170 Wis. 2d 146, 488 N.W.2d 432 (Ct… Read more
State v. Evan Zimmerman, 2003 WI App 196, (AG) PFR filed 9/10/03 For Zimmerman: Keith A. Findley, UW Law School Issue/Holding: Counsel’s failure to offer independent medical evidence that would have challenged the state’s expert as to the weapon used to kill the victim and that would have indicated that the murder was consistent with a… Read more
State v. Evan Zimmerman, 2003 WI App 196, (AG) PFR filed 9/10/03 For Zimmerman: Keith A. Findley, UW Law School Issue/Holding: Counsel’s failure to challenge a witness’s hypnotically refreshed testimony, as violating the guidelines of State v. Armstrong, 110 Wis. 2d 555, 329 N.W.2d 386 (1983), was deficient: ¶45. To begin, we are not persuaded by counsel’s… Read more
State ex rel. Ruven Seibert v. Macht, 2001 WI 67, 244 Wis. 2d 378, 627 N.W.2d 881, reconsideration denied2002 WI 12, reversing unpublished court of appeals order For Seibert: Gregory P. Seibold; amicus brief: Howard B. Eisenberg, Dean, Marquette Law School Issue/Holding: ¶1. This case presents two issues. The first issue is whether an indigent… Read more
Vonaire T. Washington v. Smith, 219 F.3d 620 (7th Cir. 2000) For Washington: Robert R. Henak Issue/Holding: Trial consel’s performance was deficient in three respects: Last-minute issuance of subpoena for hard-to-find witness, on theory that trials are often adjourned at last minute anyway. (“(P)lacing witness convenience above the vital interests of his client does not make… Read more
