NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE
APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION
This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court." Although it is posted on the
internet, this opinion is binding only on the parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited. R. 1:36-3.
SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
APPELLATE DIVISION
DOCKET NO. A-2138-16T2
STATE OF NEW JERSEY,
Plaintiff-Respondent,
v.
DAQUAN LAPREAD,
Defendant-Appellant.
________________________
Submitted October 3, 2018 – Decided October 18, 2018
Before Judges Fuentes, Vernoia and Moynihan.
On appeal from Superior Court of New Jersey, Law
Division, Essex County, Indictment No. 15-10-2477.
Joseph E. Krakora, Public Defender, attorney for
appellant (Daniel S. Rockoff, Assistant Deputy Public
Defender, of counsel and on the brief).
Theodore Stephens II, Acting Essex County Prosecutor,
attorney for respondent (LeeAnn Cunningham, Special
Deputy Attorney General/ Acting Assistant Prosecutor,
on the brief).
PER CURIAM
Defendant Daquan Lapread appeals from a final judgment of conviction
entered following a trial at which a jury found him guilty of second-degree
aggravated assault, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b)(1), second-degree possession of a
handgun for unlawful purposes, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4(a), and second-degree
unlawful possession of a handgun, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5(b). Because we find no
merit in defendant's contention the court erred by failing to charge the jury on
lesser-included offenses of fourth-degree aggravated assault, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-
1(b)(3), and simple assault, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(a)(1), (2) and (3), we affirm.
I.
Defendant was charged in an indictment with first-degree attempted
murder of Dashawn Kline, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1 and N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3(a), second-
degree aggravated assault of Kline, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b)(1), second-degree
possession of a handgun for unlawful purposes, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4(a), and
second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5(b).
The evidence at the trial showed that during the afternoon of May 7, 2015,
Mario Martinez, Sr. drove his vehicle down South 11th Street in Newark. His
son, Mario Martinez, Jr. (Martinez), was in the passenger seat. They observed
a man, later identified as Dashawn Kline, riding a bicycle in front of them. They
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also saw another man, later identified as defendant, standing next to the stairs
of a house on the street.
From approximately twenty-five feet away, Martinez saw Kline approach
defendant, get off the bicycle, and begin talking with defendant. Based on his
observations of Kline and defendant, including the motions of their hands,
Martinez believed defendant and Kline were about to fight.
Martinez saw Kline walk away from defendant toward the Martinezes'
vehicle. According to Martinez, defendant then pulled out a handgun and
pointed it. Martinez heard a gunshot and Kline scream as Kline moved past the
rear of the vehicle toward 10th Street.
Mario Martinez, Sr. moved the car up the street, but one of its rear tires
was damaged by the bullet that had been fired from defendant's gun. Martinez
saw defendant move between houses and through an empty lot toward 12th
Street.
Martinez called 911, explained he witnessed a shooting and provided a
description of the shooter. The police later brought defendant to the scene of
the shooting, and Martinez identified defendant as the shooter at that time.
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The police administered Miranda1 warnings to defendant and interrogated
him. When asked what had occurred on South 11th Street, defendant explained
that Kline approached him and told him to stay away from the mother of Kline's
daughter. According to defendant, Kline threatened him. Defendant stated that
when Kline began to leave, he "gave it to him," explaining that he "pulled a
[forty-caliber] gun" from his "hip" and shot Kline once. Defendant knew he had
shot Kline because he heard Kline "screaming" as Kline "ran off." During the
interrogation, defendant identified Kline in a photograph and admitted Kline
was the individual he shot.
The police recovered a forty-caliber shell casing from the scene. Kline
was treated at a nearby hospital for a gunshot wound to his right hand. At trial,
it was stipulated Kline's gunshot wound did not constitute a "serious bodily
injury."
The jury found defendant not guilty of attempted murder, but convicted
him of second-degree aggravated assault, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b)(1), possession of
a handgun for unlawful purposes and unlawful possession of a weapon. The
court imposed an aggregate ten-year sentence subject to the requirements of the
No Early Release Act, N.J.S.A. 2C:43-7.2. This appeal followed.
1
Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966).
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Defendant presents the following arguments for our consideration:
POINT I
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY REFUSING THE
DEFENDANT'S REQUEST TO CHARGE THE JURY
ON SIMPLE ASSAULT AS A LESSER OFFENSE OF
SECOND-DEGREE AGGRAVATED ASSAULT.
ALTERNATIVELY, THE TRIAL COURT ERRED
BY NOT CHARGING THE JURY ON FOURTH-
DEGREE AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AS A LESSER
OFFENSE OF SECOND-DEGREE AGGRAVATED
ASSAULT.
A. The Trial Court Erred By Denying The Defendant's
Request for A Simple Assault Charge.
B. The Trial Court Erred By Failing To Sua Sponte
Charge The Jury On Fourth-Degree Aggravated
Assault.
C. This Court Should Reverse The Second-Degree
Aggravated Assault Conviction.
II.
Defendant first argues his conviction for second-degree aggravated
assault should be reversed because the court rejected his request to charge the
jury on simple assault under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(a)(1), (2) and (3) as a lesser-
included offense of second-degree aggravated assault. The trial court rejected
defendant's request, finding there was no rational basis in the evidence
supporting a charge of simple assault.
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"When a defendant requests a lesser-included-offense charge, 'the trial
court is obligated, in view of defendant's interest, to examine the record
thoroughly to determine,'" State v. Alexander, 233 N.J. 132, 142 (2018), if "there
is a rational basis for a verdict convicting the defendant of the included offense,"
ibid. (quoting N.J.S.A. 2C:1-8(e)). In considering whether to instruct a jury on
a requested lesser-included offense, a trial court must determine "whether the
evidence presents a rational basis on which the jury could acquit the defendant
of the greater charge and convict the defendant of the lesser." State v. Cassady,
198 N.J. 165, 178 (2009) (quoting State v. Brent, 137 N.J. 107, 117 (1994)).
Although "sheer speculation does not constitute a rational basis," State v.
Reddish, 181 N.J. 553, 626 (2004) (quoting Brent, 137 N.J. at 118), "the rational-
basis test . . . imposes a low threshold," State v. Crisantos, 102 N.J. 265, 278 (1986),
that warrants an instruction when the evidence "leaves room for dispute," ibid.
(quoting State v. Sinclair, 49 N.J. 525, 542 (1967)). "A defendant is entitled to an
instruction on a lesser offense supported by the evidence regardless of whether that
charge is consistent with the theory of the defendant's defense." Brent, 137 N.J. at
118. "A rational basis may exist, although the jury is likely to reject defendant's
theory." State v. Mejia, 141 N.J. 475, 489 (1995). "[F]ailure to instruct the jury at
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the defendant's request on a lesser charge for which the evidence provides a rational
basis warrants reversal of the defendant's conviction." Brent, 137 N.J. at 118.
Defendant argues there was a rational basis in the evidence for the jury to
convict defendant of simple assault under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(a)(1), because the
evidence showed he recklessly caused Kline's injuries. See N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(a)(1)
(providing in pertinent part that a person commits a simple assault by recklessly
causing bodily injury to another); see also Model Jury Charge (Criminal), "Simple
Assault (Bodily Injury) (Lesser Included Offense) (N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(a)(1))" (rev.
May 8, 2006) (defining elements of simple assault under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(a)(1)).
Defendant argues the evidence permitted the jury to rationally conclude that he "was
reckless in his aim when he fired the gun."
A defendant acts recklessly when he or she "consciously disregards a
substantial and unjustifiable risk," which "involves a gross deviation from the
standard of conduct that a reasonable person would observe in the actor's situation."
N.J.S.A. 2C:2-2(b)(3). We discern no evidence in the record providing a rational
basis to conclude defendant acted recklessly, and defendant points to none.
Defendant admitted he was confronted and threatened by Kline and, in response,
decided to "give it to" Kline. Defendant then pulled a handgun from his "hip" and
shot Kline. See, e.g., State v. Sanchez, 224 N.J. Super. 231, 243 (App. Div. 1988)
A-2138-16T2
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(finding there was no support in the evidence for a recklessness instruction to the
jury where evidence showed defendant intentionally shot the victims).
Defendant's admissions establish he did not recklessly aim and fire the gun or
recklessly cause Kline's injuries. Defendant's contentions to the contrary are
founded on mere speculation. See Brent, 137 N.J. at 118 ("[S]heer speculation does
not constitute a rational basis."). His admissions establish that he acted with a
"conscious object to" shoot and cause injury to Kline and therefore acted
"purposely," N.J.S.A. 2C:2-2(b)(1), and that he acted with knowledge of the "nature
of his conduct," and thus acted "knowingly," N.J.S.A. 2C:2-2(b)(2). Absent from
the record is any evidence supporting a rational basis to conclude defendant's
shooting of Kline was the result of recklessness as defined under N.J.S.A. 2C:2-
2(b)(3). The court did not err by rejecting defendant's request to charge the jury on
simple assault under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(a)(1).
For the same reasons, we reject defendant's claim he was entitled to a lesser-
included offense charge for simple assault under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(a)(2), which
provides that a person commits the offense by "[n]egligently caus[ing] bodily injury
to another with a deadly weapon." N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(a)(2); see also Model Jury
Charge (Criminal), "Simple Assault (Negligently Causing Bodily Injury with a
Deadly Weapon) (N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(a)(2))" (approved Sept. 10, 2012) (defining
A-2138-16T2
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elements of simple assault under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(a)(2)). A defendant "acts
negligently with respect to a material element of an offense when he [or she] should
be aware of a substantial and unjustifiable risk that a material element exists or will
result from his [or her] conduct." N.J.S.A. 2C:2-2(b)(4).
Again, the record shows defendant acted with an intention and purpose to
shoot Kline. There is no evidence showing the gun was fired negligently or that
Kline's injuries were negligently caused. In the absence of evidence supporting a
rational basis for the jury to convict defendant of simple assault under N.J.S.A.
2C:12-1(a)(2), the court also correctly denied defendant's request for a lesser-
included offense charge under the statute.
Defendant also argues the court erred by rejecting his request for an
instruction on simple assault under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(a)(3) as a lesser-included
offense. A simple assault under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(a)(3) is committed when a person
"[a]ttempts by physical menace to put another in fear of imminent serious bodily
injury." N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(a)(3); see also Model Jury Charge (Criminal), "Simple
Assault (Physical Menace/Substantial Step) (Lesser Included) (N.J.S.A. 2C:12-
1(a)(3))" (approved May 8, 2006) (defining elements of simple assault under
N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(a)(3)).
A-2138-16T2
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Our review of the record reveals no rational basis permitting a jury to
convict defendant of simple assault under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(a)(3). The evidence
showed Kline walked away from defendant before defendant pulled the gun
from his hip, and there is no evidence Kline knew defendant had a gun prior to
being shot. Thus, there is no rational basis in the evidence permitting a
conviction for simple assault by placing Kline in fear of imminent serious bodily
injury. Moreover, defendant actually shot and injured Kline, and therefore could
not have merely placed Kline in fear of imminent bodily injury. See State v.
Johnson, 216 N.J. Super. 588, 617 (App. Div. 1987) (finding no rational basis
to charge a lesser-included offense under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(a)(3) where the
victim "was not merely placed in fear of injury" but instead was shot by the
defendant).
Defendant also contends the court erred by failing to sua sponte instruct
the jury on fourth-degree aggravated assault under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b)(3), a
lesser-included offense of second-degree aggravated assault under N.J.S.A.
2C:12-1(b)(1). More particularly, defendant contends the jury should have been
charged under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b)(3), which provides that a person is guilty of
aggravated assault if he or she "[r]ecklessly causes bodily injury to another with
A-2138-16T2
10
a deadly weapon," because the basis for the charge was "clearly indicated" by
the record.
We review for plain error a claim a trial court failed to sua sponte charge
a lesser-included offense. Alexander, 233 N.J. at 141-42 (2018). "To warrant
reversal, the unchallenged error must have been 'clearly capable of producing
an unjust result.'" Id. at 142 (quoting R. 2:10-2). The possibility of an unjust
result "must be real, one sufficient to raise a reasonable doubt as to whether the
error led the jury to a result it otherwise might not have reached." State v.
Macon, 57 N.J. 325, 336 (1971).
Where, as here, there was no request for a jury charge, we apply a "higher
standard" than the rational basis requirement and will find a court erred by
failing to sua sponte give the charge only where the unrequested charge is
"'clearly indicated' from the record." Alexander, 233 N.J. at 143. The clearly
indicated standard requires a sua sponte instruction on a lesser-included offense
"only where the facts in evidence 'clearly indicate' the appropriateness of the
charge," ibid. (quoting State v. Savage, 172 N.J. 374, 397 (2002)), or where
"there is 'obvious record support for such [a] charge[,]'" State v. Funderburg,
225 N.J. 66, 81 (2016) (quoting State v. Powell, 84 N.J. 305, 319 (1980)).
A-2138-16T2
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Applying these principles, we find no error in the court's failure to charge
fourth-degree aggravated assault under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b)(3) as a lesser-
included offense to second-degree aggravated assault under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-
1(b)(1) because we are not convinced the evidence clearly indicated the
appropriateness of the charge.
A defendant commits fourth-degree aggravated assault where the
defendant: (1) causes bodily injury to another; (2) the bodily injury is caused by
a deadly weapon; and (3) the defendant acted recklessly. N.J.S.A. 2C:12-
1(b)(3); see also Model Jury Charge (Criminal), "Aggravated Assault – Bodily
Injury with Deadly Weapon (Recklessly) (N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b)(3))" (approved
June 5, 2006). Here, the evidence clearly indicated the first two elements of a
fourth-degree aggravated assault; it showed defendant caused bodily injury to
Kline with a handgun.
We are, however, convinced the evidence did not clearly indicate that a
charge on fourth-degree aggravated assault charge was appropriate. As noted,
absent from the record is any evidence that clearly indicates defendant's
shooting of Kline and causing Kline's injuries was the result of recklessness as
defined under N.J.S.A. 2C:2-2(b)(3). See Sanchez, 224 N.J. Super. at 242.
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Defendant last argues we should reverse his conviction for second-degree
aggravated assault because the court erred by failing to instruct the jury on all
of the purported lesser-included offenses he contends were supported by the
record. For the reasons noted, the argument is without sufficient merit to
warrant discussion in a written opinion. R. 2:11-3(e)(2).
Affirmed.
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