Court Opinion

ID: 9516136
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-06 23:35:41.889386+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:14:38.677845
License: Public Domain

Hallows, C. J.
(dissenting). A conclusion of law is a conclusion, whether the facts are undisputed or not. Whether a finding can be made as a matter of law depends upon whether more than one reasonable conclusion can be made on the facts. I disagree with much of what is said concerning this court’s power and scope of review of decisions of the ILHR Department.
It is unrealistic and incredible that Donald C. Marks was on the city of Phillips’ business as a chief of police at approximately 4 a. m. while intoxicated in Milwaukee even though he came to attend a police administrative school. No classes were held at that hour or anywhere near that hour of the morning, and the state of intoxication of a police officer was not a prerequisite for attendance. Only one reasonable inference can be drawn. Marks was out on the town, a deviation not covered by workmen’s compensation. For the hearing officer to say such a conclusion would be speculative is nonsense; there is no evidence to show Marks was about his employer’s business when killed. In my view, this is not a close case and the majority opinion protests too much.
I would reverse.