Abuse of Discretion Sentencing.

Byline: Derek Hawkins

WI Court of Appeals District III

Case Name: State of Wisconsin v. Ashlee A. Martinson

Case No.: 2017AP1889-CR

Officials: Stark, P.J., Hruz and Seidl, JJ.

Focus: Abuse of Discretion Sentencing

Ashlee Martinson appeals a judgment of conviction for two counts of second-degree intentional homicide, as well as an order denying her postconviction motion for resentencing. Martinson and the State entered into a plea agreement whereby the State agreed to amend charges of first-degree intentional homicide to those of second-degree intentional homicide based upon the mitigating circumstance of adequate provocation. Among other things, the adequate provocation defense is premised upon a "complete lack of self-control" on the defendant's part. See WIS. STAT. 939.44(1)(a) (2015-16). Given this premise, Martinson argues the circuit court erroneously exercised its discretion at sentencing when it repeatedly stated that Martinson "had a choice" whether to kill the victims.

We reject Martinson's argument. We conclude that pursuant to the plain language of the relevant statutes, when the State stipulates to amend a first-degree intentional homicide charge to a second-degree offense based upon the mitigating...