Chippewa County Dept. of Human Services v. James A., 2011AP2613, District 3, 2/7/12 court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for James A.: Susan E. Alesia, SPD, Madison Appellate; case activity ¶18 James does not allege Wis. Stat. § 48.415(6) implicates a First Amendment right. Therefore, the threshold question is whether James’ conduct plainly falls within the statute’s proscriptions. If… Read more
13. Due Process
State v. Kwesi B. Amonoo, 2011AP566, District 1, 1/24/12 court of appeals decision (not recommended for publication); for Amonoo: Robert N. Meyeroff; case activity Amonoo fails to show that trial counsel provided ineffective assistance with respect to pretrial identification procedure (context: “sufficient reason” to overcome serial litigation bar following direct appeal): ¶15 Amonoo contends that of… Read more
… Perry v. New Hampshire: The Federal Evidence Blog gauges the impact of last-week’s decision relegating “happenstance” but suggestive ID procedure to jury (rather than due process) determination. Pointing out that Perry highlights 5 “protections” against unreliable IDs, the post keys on appropriate jury instructions (and promises to “review some of these [other] key protections in upcoming posts”; might… Read more
Juan Smith v. Cain, USSC No. 10-8145, 1/10/12 Statements by the sole eyewitness, who identified Smith at trial as one of the perpetrators, that in fact he couldn’t see the faces of the perpetrators were “material” to determination of Smith’s guilt. Therefore, the state’s failure to disclose these statements before trial violated Smith’s due process… Read more
Barion Perry v. New Hampshire, USSC No. 10-8974, 1/11/12, affirming State v. Perry (N.H. sup. ct. 11/18/10) For purposes of due process, a pretrial identification isn’t suppressible unless the product of improper law enforcement activity. We have not extended pretrial screening for reliability to cases in which the suggestive circumstances were not arranged by law enforcement officers. Petitioner… Read more
State v. Charles A. Clayton-Jones, 2010AP2239-CR, District 4, 12/15/11 court of appeals decision (not recommended for publication); for Clayton-Jones: Martin E. Kohler, Craig S. Powell; case activity Clayton-Jones resolved a 2006 charge (involving sexual assault of a boy) with a plea bargain, in which the state was to recommend 12 years initial confinement. Before sentencing… Read more
State v. Anthony L. Prineas, 2012 WI App 2 (recommended for publication), reissued after initial decision withdrawn; for Prineas: Robert R. Henak; case activity; prior history: State v. Prineas, 2009 WI App 28, 316 Wis. 2d 414, 766 NW.2d 206 Evidence – Prior Inconsistent Statements Evidence of complainant KAC’s statements made during an alleged sexual assault were… Read more
State v. Jeffrey T. Turner, 2011AP413-CR, District 4, 11/3/11 court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Turner: Cody Wagner; case activity The trial court erred in failing to make a sua sponte inquiry into necessity for shackling Turner during his jury trial. Although the court of appeals recently held that a trial court has… Read more
