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State v. Richard Knutson, Inc.

Wisconsin Court of Appeals

537 N.W.2d 420 (1995)

Facts

Richard Knutson, Inc. (RKI) (defendant) was installing a sewer line when a backhoe contacted overhead power lines, electrocuting a crewmember attaching a chain to the backhoe bucket. The prosecution (plaintiff) charged RKI with negligent vehicular homicide. The trial judge concluded that a corporation could be criminally liable under Wisconsin’s statute, reasoning that corporate liability served the statute’s purpose of protecting employees and others from negligent deaths. The jury convicted. RKI appealed, arguing the statute applied only to human beings, not corporations.

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (Anderson, J.)

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A "yes" or "no" answer to the question framed in the issue section;
A summary of the majority or plurality opinion, using the CREAC method; and
The procedural disposition (e.g., reversed and remanded, affirmed, etc.).

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Dissent (Brown, J.)

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