Insufficient Evidence-Sexual Assault of a Child

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WI Court of Appeals – District I

Case Name: State of Wisconsin v. Travonta Emanuel Richmond

Case No.: 2023AP001129-CR

Officials: White, C.J., Geenen and Colón, JJ.

Focus: Insufficient Evidence-Sexual Assault of a Child

The Wisconsin Court of Appeals affirmed the judgment of the circuit court, convicting Travonta Emanuel Richmond of repeated sexual assault of a child. Richmond appealed on the grounds that the State failed to corroborate his confession adequately. The court rejected this argument, stating that the State provided sufficient evidence to establish the identity and age of the victim, Amber, and a connection between her and Richmond. Although this evidence did not independently prove every element of the crime, it was enough to give confidence that the assault actually occurred, satisfying the corroboration requirement. The court emphasized that corroboration does not need to independently establish each element of the crime but must support the reliability of the confession. The appeal was dismissed, and the conviction was upheld​​.

Affirmed.

Decided 07/02/24

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