Jury Instructions

By: Derek Hawkins//March 18, 2020//

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WI Court of Appeals – District I

Case Name: State of Wisconsin v. Michael Williams

Case No.: 2018AP19-CR

Officials: Fitzpatrick, P.J., Blanchard and Kloppenburg, JJ.

Focus: Jury Instructions

Michael Williams appeals a judgment of conviction for first-degree reckless homicide as a party to a crime, by use of a dangerous weapon, and felon in possession of a firearm, following a jury trial. Williams contends that the circuit court erred by allowing a witness to testify that she had seen Williams “once or twice” in the past with Williams’s alleged co-actor in the homicide. Williams also contends that the prosecutor made improper remarks during closing arguments that shifted the burden of proof to Williams to prove his innocence. Finally, Williams contends that the standard jury instruction directing the jury to “search for the truth” lowered the State’s burden of proof below the reasonable doubt standard. For the reasons set forth in this opinion, we reject these contentions. We affirm.

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Derek A Hawkins is trademark corporate counsel for Harley-Davidson. Hawkins oversees the prosecution and maintenance of the Harley-Davidson’s international trademark portfolio in emerging markets.

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