seventh circuit court of appeals decision Habeas Review – Batson Claim The State’s pattern of peremptory strikes – at least 15, possibly 17, out of 20, directed at African-Americans – was so “disproportionate” as to “give[] rise to an inference of discrimination.” This is so, despite Harris limiting his challenges to 9 of these 17… Read more
25. Jury
State v. Susan M. Thorstad, 2011AP2854-CR, District 4, 5/31/12 court of appeals decision (1-judge, not publishable); for Thorstad: Charles W. Giesen; case activity Mistrial was granted after the arresting officer, in contravention of pretrial order, testified that this was Thorstad’s second OWI. However, the officer was unaware of the order, because the prosecutor had failed… Read more
Alex Blueford v. Arkansas, USSC No. 10-1320, 5/24/12, affirming 2011 Ark. 8 Double Jeopardy doesn’t bar retrial on greater offenses, despite jury foreperson’s report of unanimous votes against those charges, after ensuing deadlock resulted in mistrial. Blueford’s primary submission is that he cannot be retried for capital and first-degree murder because the jury actually acquitted… Read more
State v. Darryl P. Benson, 2010AP2455-CR, District 1, 5/8/12 court of appeals decision (not recommended for publication); for Benson: Mary Scholle, SPD, Milwaukee Appellate; case activity Sexual assault charges were not duplicitous, and in any event, potential unanimity problem was resolved by the instructions: ¶17 To begin, we conclude that the amended information properly notified… Read more
court of appeals decision (not recommended for publication), supreme court review granted 11/14/12; for Alexander: Hans P. Koesser; case activity Juror Selection / Dismissal – Right to Personal Presence A defendant has a non-waivable right to personal presence at voir dire, ¶6 (citing, § 971.04(1)(c); and, State v. Harris, 229 Wis. 2d 832, 839, 601 N.W.2d 682 (Ct… Read more
State v. William Martin, 2011AP2168, District 1, 5/8/12 court of appeals decision (not recommended for publication); pro se; case activity; prior history: unpublished decision (2007AP1293-CR) Because the record conclusively demonstrated that Martin wasn’t entitled to relief, State v. Love, 2005 WI 116, ¶26, 284 Wis. 2d 111, 700 N.W.2d 62, the circuit court properly denied… Read more
Best Price Plumbing, Inc. v. Erie Insurance Exchange, 2012 WI 44; case activity ¶37 n. [11]: In State v. Ndina, 2009 WI 21, ¶29, 315 Wis. 2d 653, 761 N.W.2d 612, this court recognized that the terms “forfeiture” and “waiver” are often used interchangeably, but that the terms embody distinct legal concepts. Forfeiture is the failure to make the timely assertion of… Read more
State v. Jonathan Phillips, 2010AP1490, District 4, 4/26/12 court of appeals decision (not recommended for publication); for Phillips: Steven D. Grunder, SPD, Madison Appellate; case activity; originally recommended for publication, changed per order 5/1/12 Although admittedly “inconsistent” in the way it defines “mental disorder,” when read “as a whole,” the pattern jury instruction for ch. 980… Read more
