State v. John T. Trochinski, 2002 WI 56, affirming unpublished decision For Trochinski: James L. Fullin, SPD, Madison Appellate Issue: Whether § 948.11(2) is unconstitutional because it doesn’t require proof of knowledge of the age of the person to whom harmful materials are displayed (minority being the sole differentiating factor between noncriminal/protected and criminal conduct… Read more
1. Constitutional issues
State v. James E. Multaler, 2002 WI 35, affirming 2001 WI App 14, 246 Wis. 2d 752, 632 N.W.2d 89 For Multaler: Jeffrey W. Jensen Issue/Holding: ¶58. Applying these standards, we agree with the court of appeals that the 28 counts to which Multaler pled were not identical in fact. Although some of the downloaded image files… Read more
State v. William G. Johnson, 2001 WI 52, 243 Wis. 2d 365, 627 N.W.2d 455 For Johnson: Martha K. Askins, SPD, Madison Appellate Issue: Whether § 948.025 (repeated sexual assault of a child) violates the rights to due process and unanimous verdict by not requiring unanimity that each predicate act occurred. Holding: Unanimity is required on the… Read more
State v. Kevin S. Meehan, 2001 WI App 119 For Meehan: Pamela Moorshead, Buting & Williams Issue: Whether charges of completed and attempted sexual assault of the same victim were multiplicitous. Holding: ¶34. The nature of the two acts was different because the attempted sexual assault was foiled by the victim’s resistance. There was some… Read more
State v. William Koller, 2001 WI App 253, PFR filed For Koller: Peter M. Koneazny, SPD, Milwaukee Appellate Issue: Whether distinct types of sexual assault (mouth-vagina and penis-vagina) necessarily support distinct counts. Holding: ¶59 There is another reason Koller’s second multiplicity challenge fails. This second claim is directed primarily at the relationship between Count 4… Read more
State v. Lane R. Weidner, 2000 WI 52, 235 Wis. 2d 306, 611 N.W.2d 684, on certification For Weidner: Steven D. Phillips, SPD, Madison Appellate Issue: Whether § 948.11(2) is unconstitutional. Holding: ¶43 In sum, we determine that Wis. Stat. § 948.11(2) is unconstitutional in the context of the internet and other situations that do not involve face-to-face… Read more
State v. Joel R. Zarnke, 224 Wis.2d 116, 589 N.W.2d 370 (1999), reversing and remanding, 215 Wis.2d 71, 572 N.W.2d 491 (Ct. App. 1997) For Zarnke: Michael R. Cohen, Wachowski, Johnson & Cohen Issue/Holding: ¶ The issue before the court is whether Wis. Stat. § 948.05 prohibiting the sexual exploitation of a child violates the… Read more