Postconviction Relief – Evidentiary Hearing

Listen to this article

WI Court of Appeals – District IV

Case Name: State of Wisconsin v. Chadwick A. Johnson

Case No.: 2020AP1262-CR

Officials: Kloppenburg, Fitzpatrick, and Graham, JJ.

Focus: Postconviction Relief – Evidentiary Hearing

Chadwick Johnson appeals a judgment of conviction for substantial battery in violation of WIS. STAT. § 940.19(2) (2019-20)1 and an order denying his postconviction motion. We affirm.

The charge in this case was based on a physical fight between Johnson and another man that occurred at a construction site where the men were working on August 14, 2014. The victim sought medical attention, and he was eventually diagnosed with a rib fracture. Following a trial, the jury found Johnson guilty of substantial battery. Johnson filed a motion for postconviction relief, which the circuit court denied without holding a hearing. We present additional background about the evidence introduced at trial and the trial and postconviction proceedings as needed below.

On appeal, Johnson argues that the circuit court erred when it denied his motion for a directed verdict, when it admitted evidence of his membership in a motorcycle club at trial, when it empaneled an anonymous jury, and when it denied his claims of ineffective assistance of counsel without a hearing. We address Johnson’s arguments in turn.

Full Text

Derek A Hawkins is Corporate Counsel, at Salesforce.