Opinion ID: 2088434
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Execution of the Herbage warrant

Text: The problem of execution of warrants was discussed in Morales v. State (1969), 44 Wis. 2d 96, 170 N. W. 2d 684. Therein, the defendant questioned the force used by an officer to enter his apartment in execution of a search warrant. Writing for the court, Mr. Justice HANLEY stated, ... a police officer must identify himself and his purpose and, except under special circumstances, allow time for the door to be opened. Morales, supra, at 106. In the instant case, affidavits of the defendant and Patrick Boutch, who went to the door upon the arrival of the police, are in conflict with Lt. Lichtie's statement at the preliminary hearing as to whether the officers identified themselves. The state's brief suggests that the officers had no time to announce their purpose because Boutch attempted to close the door in their faces. The question of proper execution of the Herbage arrest warrant was raised by pretrial motion, and Judge TWESME ruled that, under the circumstances, the execution of the warrant was reasonable. The conflicting evidence relating to the entry was before him. His findings were not contrary to the great weight and clear preponderance of the evidence, and will not be disturbed by this court. The question remains, however, of whether the warrant for Herbage was void ab initio, and hence the subsequent entry and execution of the warrant failed to confer jurisdiction for the arrest and subsequent conviction of Williams.