State v. Christopher D. Jones, 2010 WI App 133; for Jones: Amelia L. Bizzaro; for Amicus, Innocence Network: Jerome F. Buting; BiC; Resp.; Reply; Amicus Br. Evidence – Daubert – Bullet Traced to Particular Gun The court rejects “a blanket rule barring as a matter of course all testimony purporting to tie cartridge cases and… Read more
32. Prosecutor misconduct
State v. Melvin G. Walton, No. 2009AP001304-CR, District I, 6/22/10 court of appeals decision (3-judge, not recommended for publication); for Walton: Byron C. Lichstein; BiC; Resp.; Reply Prosecutorial Failure to Disclose Evidence ¶28 The State has two separate evidence-disclosure responsibilities: a statutory responsibility imposed by WIS. STAT. § 971.23 and a constitutional responsibility… Read more
State v. Kyle Lee Huggett, 2010 WI App 69; for Huggett: Craig A. Mastantuono; BiC; Resp; Reply The State forfeited a potential appellate argument by conceding it in the trial court, in response to Huggett’s postconviction motion, ¶14. Unmentioned by the court: the State is the appellant. Why does that matter? Because the general rule is… Read more
court of appeals decision (3-judge, not recommended for publication); for Oliver: Steven D. Phillips, SPD, Madison Appellate; BiC; Resp. Br.; Reply Br. SVP – Evidence 1. Unobjected-to testimony by a state evaluator that DHS psychologists are more “conservative” in their conclusions than other SVP experts did not “cloud” the issue and therefore did not support… Read more
court of appeals decision (3-judge; not recommended for publication); Resp. Br; Reply Br Exculpatory Material Defense had access to assertedly suppressed exculpatory material, hence no Brady violation. Effective Assistance Counsel had valid tactical reason for cross-examination approach; failure to file discovery demand, object to certain testimony: “The defendant must affirmatively prove prejudice. … Walker has not even attempted… Read more
State v. Clifford D. Bvocik, 2010 WI App 49; for Bvocik: James C. Murray Prosecutorial Misconduct – Closing Argument Improper prosecutorial closing argument—encouraging jury to draw false inference—requires new trial in interest of justice; State v. Robert H. Weiss, Jr., 2008 WI App 72, controlling: ¶1 State v. Weiss, 2008 WI App 72, ¶¶15-17, 312 Wis… Read more
Plain error rule; DA’s “vouching” during closing argument Click here for court of appeals decision Defense counsel: Amelia L. Bizzaro Issue/Holding: ¶12 “Plain error” means a clear or obvious error, one that likely deprived the defendant of a basic constitutional right. State v. Frank, 2002 WI App 31, ¶25, 250 Wis. 2d 95, 640 N.W.2d… Read more
State v. Carmen L. Doss, 2008 WI 93, reversing 2007 WI App 208 For Doss: Robert R. Henak Issue/Holding: Closing argument remarks addressed to Doss’s failure to explain missing funds did not amount to a comment on her failure to testify: ¶81 … [F]or a prosecutor’s comment to constitute an improper reference to a defendant’s… Read more
