Schimmel v. State

Two issues are raised on review:

1. Whether the defendant’s statements were inadmissible at trial because they were obtained in violation of his constitutional rights; and

2. Whether psychiatric testimony is admissible in the guilt phase of a bifurcated trial for first degree murder?

Admissibility of Defendant’s Statements

This issue concerns the defendant’s statements to Dennis Sutton, the employee of the Division of Corrections, and to the Green Bay police officers on the night of July 9 and 10, 1975. With the exception of his initial comment to Sutton, that he “had murdered a girl and…