State v. Jason J. Trawitzki
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2001 WI 77 SUPREME COURT OF WISCONSIN Case No.: 99-2234-CR Complete Title of Case: State of Wisconsin, Plaintiff-Respondent, v. Jason J. Trawitzki, Defendant-Appellant-Petitioner. REVIEW OF A DECISION OF THE COURT OF APPEALS 2000 WI App 205 Reported at: 238 Wis. 2d 795, 618 N.W.2d 884 (Published) Opinion Filed: Submitted on Briefs: Oral Argument: Source of APPEAL COURT: COUNTY: JUDGE: JUSTICES: Concurred: Dissented: June 29, 2001 May 2, 2001 Circuit Jefferson John Ullsvik BRADLEY, J., dissents (opinion filed). ABRAHAMSON, C.J., and BABLITCH, J., join dissent. Not Participating: ATTORNEYS: For the defendant-appellant-petitioner there were briefs and oral argument by Donald T. Lang, assistant state public defender. For the plaintiff-respondent the cause was argued by Sandra L. Nowack, assistant attorney general, with whom on the briefs was James E. Doyle, attorney general. 2001 WI 77 NOTICE This opinion is subject to further editing and modification. The final version will appear in the bound volume of the official reports. No. 99-2234-CR STATE OF WISCONSIN : IN SUPREME COURT State of Wisconsin, FILED Plaintiff-Respondent, JUN 29, 2001 v. Cornelia G. Clark Clerk of Supreme Court Madison, WI Jason J. Trawitzki, Defendant-Appellant-Petitioner. REVIEW of a decision of the Court of Appeals. Affirmed ¶1 we N. PATRICK CROOKS, J. In this case, review a court of appeals decision that affirmed a circuit court's denial of a post-conviction Trawitzki (Trawitzki). motion brought by Petitioner Jason J. After Trawitzki was found guilty of ten theft charges for his role in the taking of ten firearms from a home and five charges of concealing stolen property for his role in the subsequent hiding of five of the firearms, he claimed that the charges were multiplicitous, and therefore in violation of the constitutional prohibition against double jeopardy. Trawitzki also claimed that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to impeach three of the State's witnesses with the specific number of prior convictions for each one. No. ¶2 The circuit court denied his motion. appeals affirmed. 99-2234-CR The court of State v. Trawitzki, 2000 WI App 205, 238 Wis. 2d 795, 618 N.W.2d 884. We accepted Trawitzki's petition for review. ¶3 We because the hold that charges are the not charges are identical not in multiplicitous fact, and because Trawitzki has not overcome the presumption that the legislature intended to allow multiple prosecutions. We further hold that Trawitzki's trial counsel was not ineffective for failing to impeach three of the State's witnesses with the number of their prior criminal established that convictions, this because failure was Trawitzki has not prejudicial to him. Confidence in the outcome of the trial has not been undermined by such failure. Accordingly, we affirm the court of appeals decision that in turn affirmed the circuit court's judgment and its denial of Trawitzki's post-conviction motion. I ¶4 On August 29, 1997, members of a criminal gang known as the West Side City Crips burglarized the Lehman residence in Watertown. Included in the group that entered the home were Trawitzki, Kristy Lehman (Lehman), Chris Schoch (Schoch), Jason Glascock (Glascock), and Johnny Weiss (Weiss). Members of this group took ten firearms from various rooms and wrapped them all in a sheet, in order to carry the firearms out of the home. The firearms were then placed in the trunk of Glascock's car and taken to the Weiss residence, where they were stored in the basement. The next morning, Trawitzki, Schoch, Glascock, Weiss, 2 No. Phillip Ziegler, firearms and and J.R. hid Subsequently, Robinson them near of this members took a five of bridge group, in 99-2234-CR the stolen Helenville. including Trawitzki, traveled to Minnesota where they were taken into custody near Duluth. Some of the firearms were found in their possession. ¶5 The State charged Trawitzki with one count of armed burglary as a criminal gang, 943.10(2)(b), party in to a crime violation 939.05, and of and Wis. in association Stat. with a §§ 943.10(1)(f), 939.625(1)(a)(1997-98).1 The State also charged Trawitzki with ten counts of theft for taking and carrying away a firearm as a party to a crime and in association with a criminal §§ 943.20(1)(a), Lastly, the concealing gang, violation 943.20(3)(d)5, State stolen in charged property 939.05, Trawitzki as a of and with party Wis. 939.625(1)(a). five to Stat. a counts crime of and in association with a criminal gang, in violation of Wis. Stat. §§ 943.20(1)(a), 943.20(3)(d)5, 939.05, and 939.625(1)(a). ¶6 Trawitzki pled not guilty to all charges. He admitted being present at the Lehman residence when the ten firearms were carried out, and being present when the five firearms were concealed in Helenville, but denied participating in the crimes. He also denied being a member of the West Side City Crips. ¶7 Lehman, The case was tried before a jury. Schoch, and Glascock testified 1 During the trial, for the State and All subsequent references to the Wisconsin Statutes are to the 1997-98 version unless otherwise indicated. 3 No. implicated Trawitzki in the crimes charged. 99-2234-CR Lehman testified that Trawitzki was a member of the West Side City Crips, that Trawitzki went to the Lehman residence on August 29, and that Trawitzki carried firearms from the trunk of Glascock's car into the Weiss residence. Schoch testified that Trawitzki was a member of the West Side City Crips, that Trawitzki entered the Lehman residence on August 29, and that Trawitzki traveled to Helenville with Glascock and Ziegler to hide the firearms. Glascock testified that Trawitzki entered the Lehman residence on August 29, that Trawitzki carried a bag of ammunition out of the basement of the Lehman residence, that Trawitzki assisted in placing the firearms in the Weiss basement, and that Trawitzki went to Helenville to hide the firearms. All three testified that they were incarcerated for their roles in the events that led to the charges against Trawitzki. In addition, all three testified while wearing jail or prison clothes. ¶8 The State also called other witnesses who testified to Trawitzki's involvement in the crimes, including Katy Eigenberger (Eigenberger), Steve Cira (Cira), Watertown Police Detective Kenneth Severn (Detective Severn), and Dodge County Deputy James Ketchem (Deputy Ketchem). Eigenberger, an acquaintance of Trawitzki, Lehman, Schoch, Glascock, and others in the gang, testified that, on August 30th, members of this group told her broke into the that Trawitzki, Lehman Lehman, residence and Schoch, took and Glascock firearms. Cira testified that Trawitzki was a member of the West Side City Crips. Detective Severn, who 4 investigated the August 29th No. 99-2234-CR burglary at the Lehman residence, testified that Schoch told him, in an interview on January 24, 1998, that Trawitzki carried at least one firearm residence on August Trawitzki as a up from runaway on basement of Deputy 29th. the Ketchem, who August 7, 1997, the Lehman picked testified up that Trawitzki claimed to be a member of the Crips in Watertown. ¶9 In addition, Trawitzki's own testimony placed him at the scene of the crimes. Lehman residence on He testified that he entered the August 29th, that he saw the firearms wrapped in a sheet on the kitchen floor, and witnessed Schoch carry the firearms out of the Lehman residence. He also testified to traveling to Helenville with Glascock and Ziegler when the firearms were hidden near the bridge. ¶10 court The jury found Trawitzki guilty of all charges. sentenced Trawitzki burglary charge. to a 15-year prison term for The the The court withheld sentence on the other 15 charges, placing Trawitzki on probation for 10 years on each charge, to run concurrently. ¶11 Trawitzki brought a post-conviction motion. He claimed that all of the firearm theft charges and the concealing stolen firearm charges were multiplicitous, because all the charges arose from "a single act of taking and a single act of concealing." 2). (Br. in Support of Def.'s Post-conviction Mot. at Trawitzki claimed that all of the firearms were removed from the Lehman residence at one time, when the firearms were wrapped in a sheet and carried out of the house. Trawitzki also argued that the legislature did not intend multiple charges for 5 No. 99-2234-CR a single incidence of taking and a single act of concealing the firearms. According to Trawitzki, the legislature intended increased penalties based on the value of the items stolen, not the number of items. theft of firearms multiple with Trawitzki also contended that punishing firearms multiple absurd results. and charges the would concealing lead to of multiple arbitrary and For example, the State could charge a person with two counts of theft for stealing a pair of socks. ¶12 In addition, Trawitzki claimed that he was deprived of his constitutional right to the effective assistance of counsel, because his trial counsel failed to impeach Lehman, Schoch, and Glascock, by questioning them about the existence and number of their prior criminal convictions. Trawitzki suggested that the State's case against him rested primarily on the testimony of these three witnesses. Arguing that prior criminal convictions are jury's relevant to the credibility, Trawitzki before the them determination contended jurors would that have with of such reasonably a witness' information doubted the credibility of the three witnesses, when they implicated him in the crimes charged. 6 No. 99-2234-CR ¶13 The circuit court denied Trawitzki's post-conviction motion.2 The circuit court held that the firearm theft charges and the concealing stolen property charges against Trawitzki were not multiplicitous, because each charge required proof of a different fact, namely, the specific identity of each firearm taken away and later concealed. also relied on the fact The circuit court's conclusion that each theft required "a volitional act to take or conceal a different firearm." Ct. Mem. Decision at 3). that Trawitzki could new (Tr. Furthermore, the circuit court held not rebut the presumption that the legislature intended separate charges in regard to each firearm. In reaching this determination, the circuit court relied on the legislature's choice to use the singular "firearm" in Wis. Stat. § 943.20(3)(d)5. form of the word The circuit court also noted that the theft statute treats firearms differently than other forms of property, punishing the theft of a firearm and the concealment thereof as a felony regardless of its value, because of the dangerousness associated with such acts in regard to firearms. 2 In his post-conviction motion, Trawitzki also claimed that: 1) there was insufficient evidence to apply the criminal gang enhancer; 2) the jury instructions failed to require the jury to unanimously agree on the existence of two or more criminal offenses necessary to apply the criminal gang enhancer; and 3) there was a new factor which warranted the reduction of his sentence. The circuit court also rejected these arguments. Since Trawitzki did not present these issues to the court of appeals or to this court, we do not address them. 7 No. ¶14 99-2234-CR In addition, the circuit court held that Trawitzki was not denied effective assistance of counsel as a result of his trial counsel's failure to impeach Lehman, Schoch, and Glascock with their prior criminal convictions. The circuit court concluded that trial counsel's performance was not deficient, because the choice decision. not to impeach was a reasonable tactical According to the circuit court, it was reasonable for counsel to refrain, in order not to emphasize the unfairness of the witnesses being convicted for their while Trawitzki was seeking acquittal. role in the crimes, The circuit court also determined that the decision not to impeach was reasonable, so that Trawitzki Moreover, the could avoid circuit court accusing his concluded friends that, of even lying. if trial counsel's failure to impeach constituted deficient performance, this failure did not prejudice Trawitzki's defense. court found no prejudice because: The circuit 1) the jury knew that the witnesses had criminal convictions; 2) the jury was instructed that convictions are relevant to a witness' credibility; 3) the witnesses testified that they were incarcerated for their respective roles in the burglary and thefts; 4) the witnesses testified wearing prison clothing; 5) other witnesses implicated Trawitzki in the crimes; and 6) Trawitzki's own testimony placed him at the scene of the crimes. For all these reasons, the circuit court concluded that Trawitzki failed to establish that the result of the trial would have been different had counsel impeached the three witnesses with their convictions. 8 his No. ¶15 99-2234-CR Trawitzki appealed the judgments of conviction and the circuit court order denying his post-conviction motion. ¶16 The court of appeals affirmed. The court of appeals held that the firearm theft charges and the concealing stolen property charges required proof were of not a multiplicitous different fact, because the each charge identity of the individual firearm, and because each charge required a separate volitional act on the part of Trawitzki. 205 at ¶10. Trawitzki, 2000 WI App The court of appeals also determined that Trawitzki did not overcome the presumption that the legislature intended Id. at ¶17. to allow multiple prosecutions. In reaching this determination, the court of appeals relied on the legislature's use of the singular § 943.20(3)(d)5, firearms." phrase rather Id. at ¶12. "a than firearm" "firearms" in or Wis. "one Stat. or more The court of appeals found that the legislative history of the theft statute provided no indication that the legislature intended but one charge firearms are taken or concealed in one episode. when multiple Id. at ¶14. In addition, the court of appeals concluded that separate charges for each firearm are appropriate to address society's concern about the According to separately because spread the punish each of firearms court the stolen of theft firearm among criminals. appeals, or it is concealment potentially Id. at appropriate ¶16. to of each firearm, places a dangerous weapon into the hands of a criminal for use in the commission of another crime. Id. 9 No. ¶17 99-2234-CR denied The court of appeals also held that Trawitzki was not his constitutional right to effective assistance of counsel when his trial counsel failed to impeach Lehman, Schoch, and Glascock convictions. with the number Id. at ¶18. of their prior criminal The court of appeals concluded that this failure to impeach did not prejudice Trawitzki's defense, because the jury knew that the three witnesses were incarcerated for their role in the crimes, giving the jury reason to question Id. at ¶22. their credibility. While the court of appeals recognized that the number of convictions is relevant to the credibility determination, it was not convinced that the result of Trawitzki's trial would have been different had the known the exact number of convictions each witness had. jury Id. II ¶18 are This case presents two issues for our review. the separate taken and charges carried multiplicitous, against away and therefore Trawitzki for each violating prohibition against double jeopardy? for each firearm the One, firearm concealed constitutional Two, was Trawitzki's trial counsel ineffective for failing to impeach Lehman, Schoch, and Glascock with the number of prior criminal convictions for each witness? ¶19 To resolve these two issues, the following standards of review are applicable. The issue of whether a person's right to be free from double jeopardy has been violated presents a question of law that we review de novo. State v. Anderson, 219 Wis. 2d 739, 746, 580 N.W.2d 329 (1998). The issue of whether a 10 No. person has been deprived of the 99-2234-CR constitutional right to the effective assistance of counsel presents a mixed question of law and fact. State v. Johnson, 153 Wis. 2d 121, 127, 449 N.W.2d 845 (1990). We will uphold the circuit court's findings of fact unless are they clearly erroneous. Id. Whether counsel's performance was deficient and prejudicial presents a question of law that we review de novo. Id. at 128. III ¶20 theft We first consider Trawitzki's claim that the firearm charges and multiplicitous. Amendment Section to 8 the The the of concealing double United the jeopardy States Wisconsin stolen firearm clauses Constitution Constitution, charges of and which the are Fifth Article are I, nearly identical, protect a person from being "placed twice in jeopardy of punishment for the same offense." 2d 486, 492, 485 N.W.2d 1 (1992). protections: the same State v. Sauceda, 168 Wis. These clauses provide three 1) "protection against a second prosecution for offense after acquittal;" 2) "protection against a second prosecution for the same offense after conviction;" and 3) "protection offense." Id. against multiple punishments for the same This case involves the third of the double jeopardy protections. ¶21 To resolve the issue of whether the charges against Trawitzki are multiplicitous, we must apply the well-established two-part multiplicity test. First, we must determine whether the charged offenses are identical in law and fact. 11 Anderson, No. 219 Wis. 2d at 746.3 99-2234-CR If the charged offenses are identical in law and in fact, then they are multiplicitous, and are therefore in violation of the double jeopardy clauses of the United States and Wisconsin Constitutions. Id. at 747. Second, if the charged offenses are not identical in law and in fact, we must determine whether the legislature intended multiple prosecutions for the charged offenses. Id. at 751. If we conclude that the legislature intended a single charge for the offenses, then the Id. at 752. charged offenses are multiplicitous. ¶22 that It is only the first part of the multiplicity test involves State v. (1992). the Grayson, constitutional 172 Wis. 2d double 156, 159 jeopardy n.3, provisions. 493 N.W.2d 23 If the charged offenses are not identical in law and in fact, then we are no longer concerned with a double jeopardy violation. Id. constitutional interpretation. The inquiry, Id. second but part rather of a this test question of is not a statutory The second part of the test "focuses on the legislative intent as to the allowable unit of prosecution under the statute in question." 63, 291 N.W.2d 809 (1980). State v. Rabe, 96 Wis. 2d 48, When charged offenses are deemed 3 This test has been referred to by this court as the "elements only test" from Blockburger v. United States, 284 U.S. 299 (1932), the "additional fact" test, the "different fact" test, and the "identical in law and fact" test. State v. Sauceda, 168 Wis. 2d 486, 493 n.8, 485 N.W.2d 1 (1992). Regardless of the name of the test, the analysis under the first part of the multiplicity test is the same regardless of whether the charges are brought under multiple statutes or whether the charges are brought under the same statute. State v. Anderson, 219 Wis. 2d 739, 747, 580 N.W.2d 329 (1998). 12 No. 99-2234-CR multiplicitous under this part of the test, they are so because multiple charges are contrary to the will of the legislature. Grayson, 172 Wis. 2d at 159 n.3. ¶23 The State argues that the firearm theft charges and the concealing stolen property charges against Trawitzki are not multiplicitous. The State contends that the charges are different in fact because each charge requires proof of a fact that another charge specific firearm. does not, namely, the identity of the In addition, the State claims that the theft and concealment of each firearm required a separate volitional act; that is, a choice to take each firearm out of the Lehman residence and a choice to conceal each firearm near the bridge in Helenville. ¶24 The State also argues that Trawitzki cannot overcome the presumption that the legislature intended separate charges for each firearm. In making this argument, the State relies on the plain language of the statute, in which the legislature used the phrase "a legislature's firearm." use legislature intended a separate charge for each firearm. The contends State further Stat. § 943.20(3)(d)5 indicates multiple charges. changed the that plural, the form indicates legislative that of the the the singular State, that than the the word rather to to the "firearm," choice According history the legislature of Wis. intended The State claims that when the legislature statute to make the theft or concealment of a firearm a felony regardless of value, the legislature meant to emphasize the dangerousness of each individual firearm. 13 Lastly, No. 99-2234-CR the State argues that multiple punishments for the theft and for the concealment of multiple firearms are appropriate to address society's concern regarding the proliferation of firearms among criminals. ¶25 Trawitzki argues that the ten firearm theft charges and the five concealing charges are multiplicitous because the charges are identical in law and in fact. Trawitzki contends that the charges are identical in law because all of the charges arise under the same statute. According charges are also identical in fact. to Trawitzki, the Trawitzki claims that, even though the theft charges each involve a different firearm, all of the charges arose from a single transaction. He claims that the concealing charges likewise arose from a single incident. The ten theft charges for taking and carrying away arose out of a single act of taking the firearms out of the Lehman residence and the five charges for concealing arose out of a single act of hiding the firearms. Trawitzki contends that the fact that each charge involves a different firearm is not significant because the focus of the statute is on the criminal act of taking or of concealing, not the nature of the property. ¶26 brought Trawitzki also argues that, when multiple charges are under legislature Trawitzki the same intended claims that statute, this presumption punishments multiple the is presumption is that the inappropriate. contrary to the established principle that criminal statutes should be construed strictly in favor of the accused, and that this presumption prevents an objective determination of legislative intent. 14 No. ¶27 99-2234-CR Trawitzki contends that the legislature did not intend separate charges for each firearm. structure of the statute According to Trawitzki, the demonstrates that the legislature intended to increase the punishment based on the value of items stolen, not the number of items. Trawitzki submits that increasing the punishment depending on the number of items would lead to absurd results, such as charging a counts of theft for taking one pair of shoes. that the legislature's decision to person with two Trawitzki argues punish the theft or concealment of a firearm more severely than other property does not mean that the legislature intended separate charges for each firearm. Trawitzki points to the fact that the statute punishes the theft of domestic animals more severely. Trawitzki then suggests that it would be an absurd result to charge a person with eight counts of theft for taking a litter of eight kittens. Furthermore, Trawitzki claims that the legislature's use of the phrase "a firearm" does not mean that the legislature intended separate charges because, when construing statutes, the singular form of a word also includes the plural, relying on Wis. Stat. § 990.001(1). Lastly, Trawitzki argues that there is nothing in the legislative history of the statute to support the conclusion that the legislature intended separate charges for each firearm. ¶28 conclude We apply the first part of the multiplicity test and that the firearm theft charges and the concealing stolen firearms charges against Trawitzki are not identical in law and in fact. identical in law As both parties concede, the charges are because they arise 15 under the same criminal No. statute, against Wis. Stat. Trawitzki § 943.20(1)(a). are not identical However, in 99-2234-CR the fact. The charges test for whether charges are not identical in fact is whether "the facts are either separated in time or of a significantly different nature." Anderson, significantly 219 different Wis. 2d nature, at each 749. To charged be of offense a must require proof of an additional fact that the other charges do not. Id. at 750. In this case, each theft charge and each concealment charge against Trawitzki does require proof of an additional fact that the other charges identity of the individual firearm. do not, namely, the Because each charge alleges that Trawitzki either took or concealed a specific firearm, the State must prove the identity of the specific firearm. For example, the first firearm theft charge alleges that Trawitzki took and carried away a Smith & Wesson model 28 N-frame 6" revolver with grips. The exactly what satin State is stainless must steel prove, alleged. The finish therefore, second and that firearm black rubber Trawitzki did theft charge alleges that Trawitzki took and carried away a Star PD 45 semiauto 4" blue/alloy frame pistol. Consequently, the State must prove that. ¶29 Our conclusion that the charges against Trawitzki are not identical in fact is consistent with previous decisions by this court. In Anderson, we held that multiple charges of bail jumping were not identical in fact, because each charge required proof of a fact that the other charge did not, the specific violation of a condition of bail. 16 219 Wis. 2d at 751. We No. 99-2234-CR concluded that one charge of bail jumping required proof that Anderson consumed alcohol, while another charge required proof that Anderson had contact with his previous battery victim. We have reached similar conclusions in other cases. Id. See also Rabe, 96 Wis. 2d at 66 (holding that multiple homicide charges, for the deaths of four people resulting from the intoxicated use of a motor vehicle, were not identical in fact, because each charge required proof of the death of the specific victim) and Madison v. Nickel, 66 Wis. 2d 71, 83-84, 223 N.W.2d 865 (1974) (holding that four obscenity charges, for the sale of four obscene magazines in one transaction, were permissible because each charge required proof of the sale of a particular magazine). ¶30 Having determined that the firearm theft charges and the concealment charges against Trawitzki are not identical in law and in fact, we apply the second part of the multiplicity test, whether the Anderson, 219 Wis. Trawitzki are not legislature 2d at 746. identical in intended Because fact, multiple the we charges. charges presume against that the legislature intended separate charges for the theft and for the concealment of each firearm. See id. at 751. Trawitzki may rebut this presumption only by a clear indication of legislative intent to the contrary. See id. We consider four factors in discerning legislative intent for a multiplicity challenge: "1) statutory language; 2) legislative history and context; 3) the nature of the proscribed conduct; and 4) the appropriateness of multiple punishment." Id. at 751-52. 17 No. ¶31 that We apply Trawitzki this has not four-factor overcome examination the 99-2234-CR and presumption conclude that the legislature intended separate charges for the theft and for the concealment of each firearm. With respect to the first factor, nothing in the language of Wis. Stat. § 943.20 clearly indicates that the legislature intended one charge for the theft and one charge for the concealment of multiple firearms. In fact, the penalty provision of the statute uses the phrase "a firearm." Wis. Stat. singular § 943.20(3)(d)5. form legislature firearm.4 of intended the a word The legislature's "firearm" separate use charge for each the that indicates of the individual An example of language that would provide a clear indication that the legislature intended one charge regardless of the number of firearms would be "one or more firearms." We agree with Trawitzki that Wis. Stat. § 990.001(1) states that, when construing statutes, the singular form of a word includes the plural. renders the However, phrase "a this rule firearm" of in statutory the construction statute, ambiguous regarding the allowable unit of prosecution. 4 at best, Even if The dissent claims that it is the act of theft, rather than the object of the theft, that determines the appropriate number of charges. Dissent at ¶53 n.1. However, the only source that the dissent relies upon for this proposition, a Wisconsin Law Review article by Frank J. Remington and Allan J. Joseph, was published in 1961, well before the legislature changed Wis. Stat. § 943.20, in 1977, to separate the theft of a firearm from the thefts of other forms of property. Ch. 255, Laws of 1977. Consequently, this law review article provides no guidance on the proper interpretation of § 943.20, in regard to the multiplicity issue. 18 No. 99-2234-CR we construe the phrase "a firearm" to include the singular and the plural, indication this that construction the legislature does not intended provide one a charge clear for the theft and one charge for the concealment of multiple firearms. ¶32 In considering the second factor, we find that there is no legislative history for Wis. Stat. § 943.20 which clearly indicates that the legislature did not intend multiple charges. In fact, our review of the legislative history of the statute indicates that the legislature did intend separate charges for each firearm. The legislature changed the statute, by virtue of Chapter Laws 255, of 1977, from punishing the taking or concealing of property based only on the value of the property, to punishing the taking or the concealing of a firearm with a Class D felony, regardless of the value of the firearm. The drafting record of Chapter 255, Laws of 1977 indicates that the legislature changed the penalty section of the statute emphasize the danger associated with each stolen firearm. Assembly Amendment 1 to 1997 Assembly Bill 130, which to In would later become Chapter 255, Laws of 1977, the legislature amended the penalty section of the statute from the phrase "dangerous weapons" to the phrase "a firearm." This change from the plural to the singular, and from the generic term "dangerous weapons" to the specific term "a firearm," demonstrates that the legislature was concerned with the theft or the concealment of each individual firearm. Furthermore, Representative Stanley Lato, in a drafting request to the Legislative Reference Bureau, stated that "the idea [behind Chapter 255, Laws of 1977 is] to 19 No. change from monetary weapon." amount Since it appears to the that danger the 99-2234-CR involved the changed legislature with the statute to reflect a concern about the dangerousness of each stolen firearm, it follows that the legislature intended separate charges for each stolen firearm. ¶33 Under this second factor, we also examine the context of the statute. Anderson, 219 Wis. 2d at 751. Context is defined as "[t]he part of a text or statement that surrounds a particular word or passage and determines its meaning." American Heritage Dictionary 407 (3d ed. 1992). The In this case, we look at the structure of the penalty section of the statute, which surrounds the specific penalty theft or the concealment of a firearm. provision regarding the In the penalty section of the statute, there are three classifications for the taking or the concealing of property. punishment purposes, differently. property, The which property. is Wis. these first Wis. Stat. § 943.20(3). classifications classification punished Stat. according to are relates the treated to value § 943.20(3)(a) (c). For The general of the second classification relates to property under certain circumstances, such as property taken after a physical disaster, punished as a Class D felony. Wis. Stat. § 943.20(3)(d)4. The third classification relates to certain kinds of property, such as a firearm or a domestic animal, punished as a Class D felony. Wis. Stat. § 943.20(3)(d)1 and 5. Since the legislature separated the taking or concealing of a firearm from the taking 20 No. 99-2234-CR or concealing of other kinds of property, it follows that the legislature intended separate charges for each firearm involved. ¶34 divides The fact property that into the three penalty section classifications of the leads to statute us to reject Trawitzki's argument that absurd results will follow from our decision. According to Trawitzki, the decision to allow multiple charges will lead to arbitrary and absurd results, such as charging a person with two counts of theft for stealing one pair of shoes. This comparison is inappropriate because shoes and firearms are treated differently by the statute.5 A pair of shoes falls under the first classification, punished according to the value of the property. A firearm falls under the third classification, punished as a Class D felony regardless of the firearm's value. Therefore, a defendant accused of stealing one pair of shoes will be charged according to the value, not the number, of the shoes. ¶35 The third factor, the nature of the proscribed conduct, fails to indicate clearly that the legislature did not intend multiple charges. The nature of the proscribed conduct, the theft of a firearm or the concealing of a stolen firearm, is 5 The dissent suggests that our conclusion will lead to multiple charges based on the number of items of property stolen in the ordinary theft case. Dissent at ¶64. According to the dissent, the State advanced the position, at oral argument, that the theft of five compact discs could result in five theft charges. Id. If the State made such an argument, we are not persuaded by it. As stated above, firearms are treated differently from other forms of property, including compact discs, in Wis. Stat. § 943.20. Accordingly, the comparison between firearms and compact discs is not a valid one. 21 No. dangerous to society. Each firearm stolen might 99-2234-CR result putting a dangerous weapon into the hands of a criminal. in The criminal can then use that firearm in the commission of another crime. West In this case, Trawitzki, and the other members of the Side City residence. Crips, took ten firearms from the Lehman Consequently, this criminal gang gained ten firearms to use in the commission of other crimes. This increased the ability commit of the West Side City Crips to crimes increased the threat to society posed by this gang. and If each stolen firearm increases the threat to society, then the theft of each firearm and the concealing of each stolen firearm may be charged separately. ¶36 The fourth and final factor, the appropriateness of multiple punishments, also fails to clearly indicate that the legislature did not intend multiple prosecutions. As stated above, the theft and concealment of each firearm increases the danger posed to society. Accordingly, it is appropriate to punish the taking and the concealing of each firearm separately. Imposing a punishment serves two purposes. in regard to each individual firearm First, each punishment will serve as a sanction for the increased potential danger posed to society by each firearm. Second, each punishment will hopefully deter both the defendant, and others, from taking or concealing even one more firearm. ¶37 We concealment because the therefore conclude charges against charges are that the Trawitzki are not identical 22 in firearm not theft and multiplicitous, fact, and because No. 99-2234-CR Trawitzki failed to rebut the presumption that the legislature intended multiple prosecutions under these circumstances. ¶38 We now turn to the second claim in Trawitzki's post- conviction motion, that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to impeach Lehman, Schoch, and Glascock with the number of their prior criminal convictions. ¶39 Both Constitution the and Sixth Amendment Article I, to Section the 7 of United the States Wisconsin Constitution afford a criminal defendant the right to counsel. This right to counsel includes assistance of counsel. McMann v. Richardson, the right to the effective Johnson, 153 Wis. 2d at 126 (citing 397 U.S. 759, 771 n.14 (1970)). To determine whether counsel was ineffective, we apply the test adopted by the United States Supreme Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984). Court in Strickland v. Johnson, 153 Wis. 2d at 126. "The benchmark for judging any claim of ineffectiveness must be whether counsel's conduct so undermined the proper functioning of the adversarial process that the trial cannot be relied on as having produced a just result." ¶40 The Strickland Strickland, 466 U.S. at 686. test counsel is a two-part test. for ineffective assistance of The first part of the test requires a defendant to show that counsel's performance was deficient. Johnson, 153 Wis. 2d at 127. In order to satisfy this part of the test, a defendant must demonstrate that counsel made serious errors so that "'counsel was not functioning as the "counsel" guaranteed the defendant by the Sixth Amendment.'" Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687). 23 We give great Id. (citing deference to No. 99-2234-CR counsel's performance, and, therefore, a defendant must overcome "a strong presumption professional norms." that counsel acted reasonably Johnson, 153 Wis. 2d at 127. within If the defendant establishes that counsel's performance was deficient, then the defendant Strickland test prejudiced the must and satisfy prove the that defense. Id. second this To part deficient make this of the performance showing, the defendant has the burden to prove that "'there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's unprofessional errors, the Id. at result of the proceeding would have been different.'" 129 (quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694). "'A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome.'" the Strickland prejudice. ¶41 not Id. test, We may dispense with the first part of if the defendant fails to establish Johnson, 153 Wis. 2d at 128. The State argues that Trawitzki's trial counsel was ineffective by failing to impeach Lehman, Schoch, and Glascock in regard to the number of prior criminal convictions of each witness. The State claims that this failure did not prejudice Trawitzki's defense, because the jury knew that, at the time they testified, each one was incarcerated for their involvement Trawitzki. in the events that led to the charges against Therefore, the State claims that the jury had reason to question the credibility of Lehman, Schoch, and Glascock. The State concedes that the number of their convictions might have decreased their credibility with the jury; however, the State contends that it would 24 not have diminished their No. 99-2234-CR credibility enough to cast a reasonable doubt on Trawitzki's conviction. impeach on defense, The the State number because further of other argues convictions witnesses that did the not testified failure prejudice to to the Trawitzki's involvement in the crimes and Trawitzki's own testimony placed him at the scene of the crimes. Lastly, the State contends that the decision not to impeach Lehman, Schoch, and Glascock in such a manner was a reasonable one, because the jury could have counsel was associated their guilt with Trawitzki. ¶42 Trawitzki argues that his trial ineffective for failing to raise the number of convictions in order to impeach Lehman, Schoch, and Glascock. Trawitzki, witnesses trial was counsel's not decision objectively not to reasonable, According to impeach and, these therefore, constituted deficient performance, because the number of prior convictions of a witness is relevant to the jury's credibility determination. Trawitzki contends that impeachment was a necessary part of his defense, because he denied participating in the crimes, claiming that his accusers, Lehman, Schoch, and Glascock, actually perpetrated the crimes. Furthermore, Trawitzki argues that trial counsel's justification for failing to raise the number of prior convictions, that he did not want the jury to associate the witnesses' guilt with Trawitzki, was unreasonable, because the jury was instructed to use prior convictions only to judge a witness' credibility, and for no other purpose. Wis JI Criminal 325. Trawitzki also argues that the failure to impeach prejudiced his defense. 25 Trawitzki No. claims that testimony, and witnesses. the the case against therefore him the rested 99-2234-CR primarily credibility, of on these the three Trawitzki contends that, had the jury known about witnesses' prior convictions, it would have created a reasonable doubt as to the truthfulness of their testimony, and, subsequently, about Trawitzki's guilt. ¶43 conclude We apply the second prong of the Strickland test and that Trawitzki's counsel was not ineffective for failing to impeach Lehman, Schoch, and Glascock with the number of their inquiry prior as performance, to criminal convictions. We whether this amounts because we failure conclude that dispense to with the deficient Trawitzki has not satisfied the burden to prove that this failure prejudiced his defense. ¶44 Johnson, 153 Wis. 2d at 128. Trawitzki has not established that there is a reasonable probability that the result of his trial would have been different, if his trial counsel had impeached Lehman, Schoch, and Glascock with the number of their prior convictions. From their testimony on direct examination, the jury knew that all three were incarcerated because of their participation in the crimes that led to the charges against Trawitzki. In addition, all three testified wearing jail or prison clothes. Therefore, the jury had reason to question the credibility of all three witnesses. might have While incrementally the exact weakened the number of convictions credibility of the witnesses, this decrease is not enough to establish a reasonable probability that the jury would 26 have reached a different No. verdict. Confidence undermined by the in the failure outcome to of impeach the with 99-2234-CR trial the is not numbers of convictions of each witness. ¶45 Moreover, the failure to impeach the three witnesses did not prejudice Trawitzki's defense, because they were not the only ones to concealment. implicate Trawitzki in the firearm thefts and When there is strong evidence supporting a verdict in the record, it is less likely that a defendant can prove prejudice. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 696. Eigenberger testified that members of the West Side City Crips, including Trawitzki himself, told her that Trawitzki entered the Lehman residence and took firearms. Cira testified that Trawitzki was a member of the West Side City Crips. Detective Severn testified that Schoch told him that Trawitzki carried at least one firearm up from the basement of the Lehman residence. Deputy Ketchem testified that Trawitzki claimed to be a member of the Crips of Watertown. In addition, Trawitzki's own testimony placed him at the Lehman residence, when the firearms were taken, and at the scene in Helenville, when the firearms were hidden. ¶46 In summary, we conclude that the ten firearm theft charges for taking and carrying away and the five firearm theft charges for concealment are not multiplicitous, because the charges are not identical in fact, and because Trawitzki cannot rebut the presumption prosecutions. counsel was We not that further ineffective the legislature conclude for that failing intended multiple Trawitzki's to impeach trial Lehman, Schoch, and Glascock with the number of their prior criminal 27 No. convictions, because Trawitzki has failure prejudiced his defense. not established 99-2234-CR that this Confidence in the outcome of the trial has not been undermined by such failure. By the Court. The decision affirmed. 28 of the court of appeals is 99-2234-CR.awb ¶47 ANN WALSH BRADLEY, J. (dissenting). case is the permissible unit of statute, Wis. Stat. § 943.20. unit of prosecution for definition of the crime. At issue in this prosecution under the theft I believe that the permissible theft is found in the statutory In examining the statutory definition, I conclude that the legislature did not intend that two discrete violations of the theft statute be parsed into fifteen separate charges. ¶48 Yet, the majority ignores the unit of prosecution defined by the statute and determines the unit of prosecution to be the number of firearms stolen. In defining the underlying substantive offense by looking to the penalty provision of the statute, Because the the majority majority is allowing misreads the the tail to statute, wag the dog. misconstrues the legislative history, and allows for gross over-prosecution of theft offenses, I respectfully dissent. ¶49 In essence, today's case be viewed as an See Bell v. United States, 349 inquiry into legislative intent. U.S. 81, 82-83 (1955). should Whether the defendant's challenge is addressed under a multiplicity statutory interpretation, the analysis intent of or as the a question of legislature is ultimately determinative of the appropriate unit of prosecution. See Missouri v. Hunter, 459 U.S. 359, 366-67 (1983). ¶50 The majority misreads § 943.20 when it concludes under its multiplicity analysis that these offenses are not the same in law and fact. The majority hinges its conclusion that the offenses are not the same in fact on the assertion that the 1 99-2234-CR.awb State must prove the Majority op. at ¶28. identity of each specific firearm. However, under a proper construction of the statute, no such proof is needed. ¶51 With intended respect by the to theft, Wisconsin the unit legislature of is prosecution embodied in § 943.20(1)(a), which provides the substantive definition of the offense: (1) ACTS. Whoever does any of the following may be penalized as provided in sub. (3): (a) Intentionally takes and carries away, uses, transfers, conceals, or retains possession of movable property of another without the other's consent and with intent to deprive the owner permanently of possession of such property. When the State has convinced a jury beyond a reasonable doubt that all of these elements are satisfied, a defendant is guilty of the crime of theft. ¶52 Under § 943.20(1)(a), theft is defined by the defendant's conduct in engaging in one of the enumerated acts. Provided that the property is moveable property of another, the nature of that property is irrelevant to the initial question of whether the defendant is guilty of theft. Cf. Sartin v. State, 44 Wis. 2d 138, 148, 170 N.W.2d 727 (1969) (value of property stolen is not an element of the crime of theft). The substantive definition of the offense leaves no room for asking what was taken, how many were taken, or from whom specifically the property was taken. The sole defendant. 2 focus is the act of the 99-2234-CR.awb ¶53 It follows that the number of charges allowable is dependent upon the number of such acts that were committed. appropriate unit § 943.20(1). of prosecution is the act that The violates In this case there were two such acts: the act of taking the guns from the Lehman home and the subsequent act of concealing them. Accordingly, it is permissible under § 943.20(1)(a) that Trazwitzki be charged with two violations of the statute.6 ¶54 Only after the substantive elements of the offense have been established is the nature of the property relevant. The statute is divided into three subsections: (1) Acts, (2) 6 The commentary of one authority who sat on the Criminal Code Advisory Committee that assisted in the drafting of Wis. Stat. § 943.20 and the 1955 criminal code, reveals that it is the act, and not the object of the offense, that defines the appropriate unit of prosecution in theft cases: Where several items are taken or damaged by a single act, it seems that only one offense can be charged. For example, a defendant who steals a suitcase cannot be charged with separate thefts for each item of clothing contained in the suitcase. Nor can a defendant who takes two suitcases at the same time and from the same place be so charged. However, where the thefts or acts of damage occur at different times or at different places the prosecution can, but need not, charge a single offense. Frank J. Remington & Allan J. Joseph, Charging, Convicting, and Sentencing the Multiple Criminal Offender, 1961 Wis. L. Rev. 528, 540. The same view pervades the statutory and common law of a majority of states. See, e.g., 37 A.L.R.3d 1407, 1409 (1971) (explaining that a majority of jurisdictions subscribe to the "single larceny doctrine"). 3 99-2234-CR.awb Definitions, and (3) Penalties. statute, the penalty Under the express terms of the provisions are not triggered until violation of subsection (1), "Acts," is established. Stat. § 943.20(3) (1) . . . ."). ("Penalties. Whoever a See Wis. violates sub. It is only under the penalty provisions that we are required to examine the nature of the property that is the object of the theft. ¶55 In the ordinary case, subsection (3), "Penalties," requires that the value of the property taken (or concealed) in an act of theft under § 943.20(1)(a) be assessed after a theft violation of § 943.20(3). subsection (1) is established. Wis. Stat. The value of the property taken will determine the appropriate penalty level. ¶56 on two However, the legislature has placed special emphasis kinds of property that will allow for a heightened penalty where they are the object of the theft: domestic animals and firearms. § 943.20(3)(d)1 & 5. When a firearm is the object of a theft and where the value of the property taken does not exceed classified $2,500, as a the Class D defendant's felony, and theft the conviction defendant may is be properly sentenced to a term of imprisonment not to exceed ten years. If the property that is the object of the act of theft exceeds $2,500, the defendant is guilty of a Class C felony. The same analysis applies to domestic animals. ¶57 require Proper that § 943.20(1)(a) the construction jury were first of § 943.20 answer satisfied. Upon 4 in whether that this the case would elements determination, of the 99-2234-CR.awb jury would then have to decide whether a firearm was an object of the theft. See Wis JI Criminal 1441B cmt. If so, the defendant may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment not to exceed ten years, regardless of the value of that weapon. ¶58 Thus, contrary to the majority's assertions, the State must simply prove, in addition to the other elements of the offense, that the defendant property of another. took and concealed the movable Nothing in the statutory scheme requires the State to prove the identity of each individual weapon. If the State desires to pursue a Class D felony it must then prove that a firearm was the object of the theft. ¶59 The fact that more than one firearm was taken and more than one was concealed should be relevant only in determining the overall value of the property taken and concealed. If upon aggregating the value of all the guns, the value exceeds $2,500, the defendant may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 15 years (Class C felony).7 However, the number of firearms stolen does not define the number of theft convictions that are permissible. ¶60 The majority also misreads the legislative history in justifying its result. I agree with the court of appeals' conclusion that "[t]he history of Wis. Stat. § 943.20 offers little insight as to what the legislature intended regarding the 7 Indeed, in the case at hand it seems that the appropriate penalty for the act of taking and carrying away the ten firearms should have been a Class C felony. The State advances in its brief, and the criminal complaint reflects, that the alleged aggregated value of these weapons exceeded $2,500. 5 99-2234-CR.awb allowable unit of prosecution when a number of firearms stolen or concealed in a single episode of theft." are State v. Trawitzki, 2000 WI App 205, ¶14, 238 Wis. 2d 795, 618 N.W.2d 884. All that the legislative history reveals is an intent to increase the penalty when the object of a theft is a firearm. An offense that might otherwise be a misdemeanor under Wis. Stat. § 943.20(3)(a), because of limited value, is treated as a felony. firearm The legislative emphasis on the danger of a stolen that the majority describes is reflected in the not indicate that the increased penalty. ¶61 The legislative history does legislature intended that a new offense be created. is theft, not theft of a firearm. does not change the nature of The crime The increase in the penalty the underlying offense. required proof for a theft conviction remains the same. unfounded to infer from the legislative history The It is that the upgrading of the offense of theft where a firearm is involved to a Class D felony is tantamount offense of theft of a firearm. majority infers. to the creation of the new Yet, that is exactly what the While the legislature may no doubt create such an offense, it simply has not done so. ¶62 The unfortunate consequence of the majority's opinion is the gross over-prosecution that its decision will allow. In the instant case, Jason Trawitzki, age 16, committed two theft offenses. Nonetheless, at the hands of a zealous prosecutor and majority of this court, he is marked for the remainder of his life as a felon 15 times over for those two offenses. 6 99-2234-CR.awb ¶63 The majority attempts to limit its decision to the theft of firearms under § 943.20(3)(d)5. ¶34. Its attempts are futile. See majority op. at By deconstructing the theft statute in a manner that allows the unit of prosecution required by the statute to be ignored, today's decision may have untold consequences in ordinary theft cases. ¶64 Under the majority's analysis an overzealous prosecutor may now be free to disregard the unit of prosecution defined by § 943.20(1)(a), and through artful pleading can subdivide any act of theft into any number of charges. majority op. at ¶14. Indeed, at oral argument the See State advanced the untenable position that an ordinary theft offense may be subdivided into numerous charges based on the individual items stolen. The State believes that the theft of five compact discs in one episode of theft may result in five separate theft charges. Because it is now apparently the prosecutor's, and not the legislature's, definition of the offense that controls, the presumption of the validity of separate charges in such a case will attach. It may take some careful analysis on the part of the majority to prevent today's decision from having such an effect in future cases. ¶65 While regarding the I agree effectiveness with of the majority's Trawitzki's trial conclusions counsel, I disagree with its conclusions regarding the allowable number of theft charges. through its The majority's result misreading legislative history. of § 943.20 and can be justified misconstruing of only the By defining the unit of prosecution in 7 99-2234-CR.awb theft cases in a manner that ignores the statutory text and misinterprets opened the the door legislative to the history, unbridled the majority over-prosecution may of have theft offenses. ¶66 I am authorized to state that Chief Justice SHIRLEY S. ABRAHAMSON and Justice WILLIAM A. BABLITCH join this opinion. 8 99-2234-CR.awb 1
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