Opinion
Nos. 2013AP1503 2013AP1504.
2013-09-10
In re the Termination of Parental Rights to DEONTE H., A Person Under the Age of 18. State of Wisconsin, Petitioner–Respondent, v. Samantha S., Respondent–Appellant, Deonte H., Respondent. In re the Termination of Parental Rights to Angel S., A Person Under the Age of 18. State of Wisconsin, Petitioner–Respondent, v. Samantha S., Respondent–Appellant.
Samantha S. objected, calling what the guardian ad litem had just made an “[i]nappropriate argument.” The trial court rejected the lawyer's request for a sidebar and overruled the objection, but cautioned the jury that it should not base its verdicts on any consideration of what the jurors may believe was in the children's best interests: As noted, Samantha S. claims that what the guardian ad litem said to the jury: (1) was an improper “golden rule” argument; (2) was an improper appeal that the jury consider the best interests of the children; and (3) that the trial court's limiting instruction was inadequate. We disagree.