State v. McDonald

*367GARTZKE, P. J.

Daniel P. McDonald, once judge of the circuit court for LaFayette county, was convicted of first-degree murder, sec. 940.01, Stats., and sentenced to a term of life imprisonment. He timely filed a notice of intent to seek postconviction relief from the trial court and to appeal to this court, but died before the trial court ruled on his motion. He died by suicide.

After his death McDonald’s attorneys moved the trial court for an order vacating his conviction and sentence and dismissing the criminal information. The trial court denied the motion. McDonald’s attorneys then appealed…