State v. Smith

Walter Smith appeals from a judgment of conviction for first-degree intentional homicide, as a party to a crime. He also appeals from an order denying his motion for postconviction relief. At issue is whether the trial court committed reversible error when it refused to allow Smith, under Rule 906.09, STATS., to impeach a State witness by introducing evidence of the witness's prior criminal convictions. We conclude that the trial court misapplied Wisconsin law when it excluded the evidence, and further, that this error was not harmless. Accordingly, we must reverse both the judgment and order…