Questions presented: 1. Whether the Michigan Supreme Court’s recognition that a state statute abolished the long-maligned diminished-capacity defense was an “unexpected and indefensible” change in a common-law doctrine of criminal law under this Court’s retroactivity jurisprudence. See Rogers v. Tennessee, 532 U.S. 451 (2001). 2. Whether the Michigan Court of Appeals’ retroactive application of the… Read more
I. Complete defense
on review of unpublished decision; case activity Issues (composed by On Point) 1. Whether the defendant made the requisite showing for in camera review of the complainant’s privileged therapy records. 2. Whether, given necessity for in camera review, the complainant’s refusal to authority release of the records mandates suppression of her testimony. The implications for the administration of State v… Read more
State v. Scott E. Schmidt, 2012 WI App 113 (recommended for publication); case activity Adequate Provocation Defense, §§ 939.44(1), 940.01(2)(a) – Test for Admissibility The “some evidence,” rather than Schmidt’s proposed less stringent “mere relevance,” standard controls admissibility of evidence of adequate provocation that would reduce first- to second-degree intentional homicide: ¶9 When applying the some evidence… Read more
State v. Samuel Curtis Johnson, III, 2011AP2864-CRAC, District 2, 4/18/12, WSC rev granted 11/14/12 court of appeals decision (not recommended for publication), supreme court review granted 11/14/12; for Johnson: Mark D. Richards, Michael F. Hart, Craig S. Powell, Geoffrey R. Misfeldt; case activity Shiffra-Green Procedure – Privileged Records – Remedy Where Witness Declines Consent for in Camera… Read more
State v. Britney M. Langlois, 2011AP166-CR, District 4/1, 3/6/12 court of appeals decision (not recommended for publication); for Langlois: Philip J. Brehm; case activity The court of appeals upholds a trial court finding that the prosecutor’s explanation for striking an African-American juror (recent conviction for disorderly conduct) was non-discriminatory: ¶33 After reviewing the record, we are satisfied that the trial… 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State v. Anthony L. Prineas, 2012 WI App 2 (recommended for publication), reissued after initial decision withdrawn; for Prineas: Robert R. Henak; case activity; prior history: State v. Prineas, 2009 WI App 28, 316 Wis. 2d 414, 766 NW.2d 206 Evidence – Prior Inconsistent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. 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
State v. Crystal P. Keith, 2010AP1667-CR, District 1, 5/24/11 court of appeals decision (not recommended for publication); for Keith: John A. Pray; case activity On Keith’s conviction for reckless homicide in beating death of foster son, statements of her biological daughter (such as, “Why does mama have to go to jail for what my daddy… Read more
