Psych in sex case to get new trial

The Wisconsin state Supreme Court Tuesday has ordered a new trial for a psychiatrist convicted of sexually exploiting a patient, reversing a state appeals court ruling. The court ruled unanimously that James Thiel deserved a new trial because his attorneys then didn't investigate witnesses thoroughly enough or review all the information about the case. A La Crosse County jury convicted Thiel on seven counts of sexual exploitation by a therapist following a trial in 2000.

He was arrested in 1999 after a former patient accused him of having a sexual relationship with her from May 1997 until February 1999. La Crosse County Circuit Judge Dale Pasell sentenced him to four years in prison and 10 years of probation.

There were a number of small errors by defense attorneys that, individually, and by themselves, probably would not have caused the order for a new trial. But taken together....