RECORD IMPOUNDED
NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE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-0256-19
STATE OF NEW JERSEY,
Plaintiff-Respondent,
v.
O.P.-B.,
Defendant-Appellant.
_________________________
Argued October 18, 2021 – Decided January 6, 2022
Before Judges Rothstadt and Mayer.
On appeal from the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law
Division, Middlesex County, Indictment No. 16-09-
1503.
Carlos Diaz-Cobo argued the cause for appellant.
Steven K. Cuttonaro, Deputy Attorney General, argued
the cause for respondent (Andrew J. Bruck, Acting
Attorney General, attorney; Steven K. Cuttonaro, of
counsel and on the brief).
PER CURIAM
Defendant O.P.-B.1 appeals from a September 13, 2019 judgment of
conviction that the trial court entered after a jury found him guilty of two counts
of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, N.J.S.A. 2C:14-3(b), and one count of
third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4(a)(1). The
trial court sentenced defendant to an aggregate term of four years.
On appeal, defendant specifically argues the following points:
POINT I
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN REFUSING TO
ANSWER THE JURY'S QUESTION DURING
DELIBERATIONS WITH REGARDS TO THE LAW
THAT PROVIDES THAT A VICTIM OF A CRIME
INVOLVING SEXUAL ABUSE AND THEIR
FAMILIES HAVE A PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP,
DENYING [DEFENDANT] OF DUE PROCESS AND
A FAIR TRIAL WHERE THAT VERY ISSUE WAS
THE CRUX OF HIS DEFENSE. [RAISED BELOW].
POINT II
THE VERDICT OF GUILTY WAS NOT
SUPPORTED BY THE EVIDENCE. [RAISED
BELOW].
POINT III
THE SENTENCE IMPOSED WAS MANIFESTLY
EXCESSIVE. [RAISED BELOW].
1
We use initials and pseudonyms in reference to defendant, the victim, and the
victim's family members to protect the privacy of the child victim. R. 1:38-
3(c)(9).
A-0256-19
2
We affirm because we conclude that the trial court correctly instructed the
jury without reference to federal immigration laws as there was no evidence
presented at trial regarding any witness's pursuit or knowledge of a federal
pathway to citizenship available to crime victims, and there was substantial
evidence to support defendant's conviction, including the victim's testimony and
DNA evidence. In addition, we find that defendant's argument regarding his
sentence is without merit.
I.
The facts developed at defendant's trial are summarized as follows.
Defendant's victim, then fourteen-year-old Amelia, came to the United States
from Honduras in 2014 with her father as undocumented immigrants. In 2015,
Amelia and her father lived in her cousin's home. At that time, her cousin was
married to defendant, who also lived in the same house. Beginning in September
2015, defendant, who was then thirty-five-years old, began to abuse Amelia.
According to Amelia, there were four incidents of abuse. The first time
that defendant sexually assaulted the child, he told her she could not tell anyone
what was happening and that if she did, he would report her to immigration
authorities and she and her father would be deported. The initial attack was
followed by another on a different evening a few days later. During the first
A-0256-19
3
incident, defendant assaulted Amelia by performing cunnilingus and digitally
penetrating her vagina. During the next incident, defendant digitally penetrated
her. The third time, defendant raped the child by penetrating her vagina with
his penis. The fourth time, defendant threatened her again about calling
immigration and forced her to perform fellatio.
After the last incident, Amelia was able to rub samples of defendant's
semen on her underwear and pick up a napkin that defendant used to clean
himself, without defendant seeing her do so. She put the clothing and napkin in
a bag that she hid in her suitcase.
Later that week, Amelia disclosed the incidents to her grandmother and
aunt, giving her aunt the bag with her clothing and the napkin. The aunt told
her husband about what was happening to Amelia, and he told Amelia's father.
Eventually Amelia's father told his boss about what had happened. The boss
convinced the father to call the police.
Amelia's father also confronted defendant in his niece's presence.
Defendant denied the allegations but also stated his wife always had an excuse
not to engage in sexual relations with him.
A-0256-19
4
The police responded and brought Amelia to headquarters where she gave
statements about what happened to her. Later, she underwent a physical
examination.
Detective Jeffrey Monticello of the New Brunswick Police Department
(NBPD) conducted Amelia's initial interview in the presence of her father, which
was not recorded. After the interview, the detective contacted the Juvenile Aid
Bureau, and turned the case over to that unit.
Detective Karla Capes and Detective Donald Heck of the Middlesex
County Prosecutor's Office obtained another statement from Amelia without any
family members being present. In her statement, Amelia stated that she was
abused six or seven times, including the four times already described. She did
not include any details, as she did later at trial, about her trying to push defendant
off her, that he pulled down her pants before touching her vagina, that he put his
hands down his own pants, and that he threatened her with calling immigration.2
During Amelia's physical examination by Dr. Gladibel Medina, Amelia
stated defendant also penetrated her anally and showed her pornography, which
she also did not include in her statement to police. After the physical
2
The parties do not dispute that there were inconsistencies between Amelia's
trial testimony and her earlier statement to police describing the incidents and
the number of times the assaults occurred.
A-0256-19
5
examination, Dr. Medina concluded that Amelia did not display any physical
signs of injury. The doctor believed that Amelia had been sexually abused based
only upon the information Amelia provided, so if that information was incorrect,
that would "curtail" the doctor's ability "to come to a conclusion with a
reasonable degree of certainty."
After interviewing Amelia, Capes and Heck went to defendant's home that
evening and examined Amelia's room. Capes also spoke with the aunt, who
gave him the underwear, which she assumed belonged to Amelia, that "possibly
had" defendant's semen on it.
As part of their investigation, the detectives also obtained a buccal swab
from defendant to use in DNA tests. In February 2016, Heck received a
notification from the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office's DNA analyst that
there was a positive hit for DNA on the underwear, but the analyst needed a
buccal swab from Amelia for comparison purposes. Heck then collected a swab
from Amelia. Later, as testified to by the DNA expert, it was determined that
the DNA found on the napkin and clothing matched defendant's DNA.
Thereafter, the police arrested defendant.
On September 22, 2016, a Middlesex County Grand Jury returned an
indictment, charging defendant with the following crimes: two counts of
A-0256-19
6
second-degree sexual assault, N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(c)(1) and (c)(4); two counts of
fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, N.J.S.A. 2C:14-3(b); one count of third-
degree endangering the welfare of a child, N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4(a)(1); and one count
of third-degree hindering apprehension, N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3(b)(2).
After pre-trial hearings, defendant was tried over seven non-consecutive
days in May 2019. During the trial, after the State rested, defense counsel
moved for a judgment of acquittal, arguing that the State did not present
sufficient evidence to convict defendant. The trial court denied the motion,
reasoning that if Amelia was believed by the jury, there was "certainly sufficient
evidence" of the crimes charged, including the DNA evidence.
After defendant rested, the trial court conducted a charge conference.
Neither the prosecutor nor defense counsel objected to any of the proposed jury
charges or the verdict sheet. One of the charges dealt with Amelia's and her
father's immigration status. In that charge, the trial court instructed that the jury
could consider whether "the possibility that the State may help [Amelia and her
father] delay or avoid removal from the United States improperly influence their
testimony."
During the ensuing jury deliberations, the jury sent a note to the trial court
asking five questions, one dealing with whether a crime victim's "path to
A-0256-19
7
citizenship," was limited to the victim or also included her family. After
conferring with counsel, the court responded to the jury that "[t]here was no
description of the [federal] law as to a path to citizenship presented to you by
any witness or the [c]ourt during the trial." It continued, "[i]f you want me to
play back any portions of the testimony relating to this issue, I can do that for
you, but you need to request . . . what testimony you want to hear."
On May 29, 2019, the jury returned its verdict. The jury could not reach
a verdict on both counts of sexual assault and one count of hindering
apprehension. It found defendant guilty of two counts of criminal sexual contact
and one count of endangering the welfare of a child. The trial court accepted
the partial verdict. After the trial, the State informed the trial court that it
decided to dismiss the three counts on which the jury could not reach a verdict
and the court entered an order dismissing those counts the same day.
On September 13, 2019, the trial court sentenced defendant to four years
imprisonment. This appeal followed.
II.
We begin our review by addressing defendant's contention that the jury
instruction and the court's response to the jury's question about its consideration
of the witnesses' immigration status were insufficient. According to defendant,
A-0256-19
8
the trial court gave the jury "an incomplete jury instruction as to ' [C]redibility-
Immigration [C]onsequences,'" and it failed to provide the "necessary law" to
the jurors when they asked for clarification. We disagree.
A.
During the trial, no witnesses testified that they were aware of any federal
law that provided for an easier pathway towards citizenship if they cooperated
with the prosecutor in a criminal case and testified for the State at a trial. 3 The
only time the issue arose, was during the cross-examination of Amelia's father.
3
The federal law being addressed was 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15)(U). Under this
section of the statute, which provides for what is known as a "U Visa." Ibid. It
allows "[an] alien [who] has suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a
result of having been the victim of criminal activity," to receive temporary
immigration status and the possibility of lawful permanent resident status. 8
U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15)(U)(i)(I). To qualify, a non-citizen must submit a form that
includes the certification of a law enforcement official, who must detail the
crime and the assistance the non-citizen provided in the prosecution of that
crime. U.S. Dep't of Homeland Sec., U Visa Law Enforcement Certification
Resource Guide for Federal, State, Local, Tribal and Territorial Law
Enforcement at 2, https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/dhs_u_visa_
certification_guide.pdf (last visited Dec. 28, 2021). The form does not by itself
grant any immigration benefit. Id. at 4. If the application is approved,
temporary immigration status can also be granted for qualifying family
members. Id. at 5. The non-citizen must be "helpful in the detection or
investigation" of the crime; testifying is not required, but if asked to testify, the
non-citizen cannot "unreasonably refuse to cooperate with law enforcement."
Id. at 1, 11.
A-0256-19
9
On direct, Amelia's father testified that he came to the United States to
work in order to save money to buy property in Honduras and to pay for his
daughter's education. He explained that his intention was to return to Honduras
with Amelia to reunite with his wife and other children.
During cross-examination, defense counsel asked Amelia's father whether
he was aware "that you can get your documents and stay here legally if you
testify as a victim in a criminal case?" The State objected. During the ensuing
sidebar conference, the parties disagreed over the immigration law, defense
counsel suggested he could rephrase the question, and the State requested a
curative instruction. The court then explained to the jury that "there are multiple
ways to gain legal residency in the United States. Testimony in a criminal trial
is not a requirement for gaining legal residency in the United States." Defense
counsel then asked Amelia's father if he was "aware . . . that if you [are] a victim
of a crime that you can gain legal residency here in the United States?" The
father replied that he was not aware of that law and did not know that. 4
4
Defense counsel never asked Amelia if she was aware of the law. She testified
that she wanted to stay here for college, and become a police officer, but nothing
about becoming a citizen through U Visa or otherwise. Defendant attempted to
create an inference that Amelia knew about the federal law through the
testimony of his wife. His wife testified that Amelia spent most of her time in
her room, but she would come down for dinner and to watch a Spanish television
A-0256-19
10
Later, during the charge conference, as already noted, defendant never
raised any objection to the trial court's proposed instructions to the jury. As to
the charge about the witnesses' immigration status, the court confirmed that
"both attorneys wanted [the trial court] to take out" language that was contained
as an option in the Model Jury Charge about how the jurors may consider a
witnesses' immigration status during their deliberations. 5 As the court
described,
show with her that was about "a lot of different things" including "all the ways
that a person could get documentation in this [c]ountry, family fights, [and]
robberies."
5
The paragraph is contained in Model Jury Charge (Criminal) "Credibility—
Immigration Consequences of Testimony" (rev. June 6, 2016) and states the
following:
You have also heard evidence that [witness(es) may
[have applied for] [be interested in] [be aware of]
programs that could prevent removal if the State
informs federal immigration authorities that
[he/she/they] [was/were] a victim of a crime. This
evidence may be used by you in assessing the
credibility or believability of [name of witness(es)]
testimony. However, [names of witness(es)]
[application for] [knowledge of] [interest in]
[awareness of] such a program may be used only to the
extent you determine that it has biased [name of
witness(es)] in favor of the State, that is to say, if you
believe that [name of witness(es)] testified as
[he/she/they] did because of the potential threat of
A-0256-19
11
the second paragraph . . . has nothing to do with this
case. It’s talking about people applying for programs
and you have also heard testimony that such and such
may have applied or been interested in a program that
could prevent removal, et cetera. And both attorneys
agreed that language didn’t apply to our case.
After summations, the court delivered its instructions, which mirrored the
Model Jury Charge, except for the omitted paragraph noted above. In it, the
court specifically reminded jurors that they "heard evidence . . . that [Amelia
and her father,] . . . are foreign nationals who are not legal residents of the
United States and, therefore, subject to removal from the country." It also
instructed that although the witnesses were "here in violation of federal
immigration laws[, that did] not, in and of itself, affect their credibility or
believability. Rather, the focus must be on whether the possibility that the State
may help [Amelia and her father] delay or avoid removal from the United States
improperly influence their testimony." The charge instructed the jurors that they
could consider "whether . . . testimony was influenced by the hope or
expectation for any favorable treatment or reward such as delaying or avoiding
removal, and because [he/she/they] hoped that
[his/her/their] testimony would help [him/ her/them] to
avoid removal from this country.
[Id. (alterations in original).]
A-0256-19
12
removal from the United States by federal immigration authorities." (Emphasis
added).
As already noted, the jury later submitted a question to the trial court about
the immigration issue, asking "[i]s being a victim of a crime a path to citizenship
for who; the family or just the victim?" In discussing the potential answers to
this question with the court, the State's position was that it would be erroneous
for the jury to consider the federal law, as there was no agreement between the
State and Amelia, and there was no evidence that there was any type of special
treatment given, promised, or even considered.
In response, defense counsel noted that the State submitted voir dire
questions related to illegal immigrants, that they presented Amelia's father's
testimony and brought out evidence regarding how he and Amelia came to the
United States illegally, and the defense presented a motive to lie defense. He
acknowledged that Amelia's father denied knowing about the pathway to
citizenship but argued that did not foreclose the defense from raising the
argument because it would affect their credibility and was the "crux" of the
defense. He also argued that the law did not require them to have an agreement
during trial, and the federal government could evaluate whether they complied
afterwards, so the non-existence of an agreement between Amelia and the State
A-0256-19
13
was not dispositive. However, defense counsel also conceded that during the
charge conference, the parties agreed that the section about a witness applying
for a U Visa, or being interested in applying should be removed and that he had
no objection at the time.
According to the court, the jury's question involved a topic that was not
addressed during the trial—there was no witness that testified about the law, and
there was no support in the record about whether Amelia or her father knew
about the law, pursued it, or had plans to pursue it in the future. The court also
explained that it does not "answer jury's questions by bringing extraneous
information, whether they[ have] asked for it or not." Moreover, the court noted
that when defense counsel asked Amelia's father about the federal immigration
law, he testified he did not know anything about the law and that it was his plan
to go back to Honduras. The court also highlighted that defense counsel set
forth a motive to lie defense and that defendant got the benefit of that argument,
but it was "not going to now start talking to the jury about a law that's not in the
case, that nobody testified to, that[] there's no support . . . for."
The trial court proposed that it would tell the jury "something along the
lines of" explaining that "the law as to citizenship was . . . not . . . presented to
you, or not part of the testimony or evidence in this case," and that there were
A-0256-19
14
some questions asked during trial about the immigration law and she could play
back the testimony for the jury if they requested it. Defense counsel said he
would "object to any answer to the jury's question that says that there was
nothing presented or that there was no evidence with respect to this, because
there was," and that it was a mistake for him to have agreed during the charge
conference that the paragraph of instructions on federal immigration law should
not be given to the jury.
As already noted, the trial court thereafter answered the jury's question,
by advising the jury that neither the court nor any witnesses discussed "a path
to citizenship," and "[i]f you want me to play back any portions of the testimony
relating to this issue, I can do that for you, but you need to request [the]
testimony you want to hear." The jury never requested that the testimony be
replayed.
B.
Our standard of review of jury charges is well settled. "[A]ppropriate and
proper [jury] charges are essential for a fair trial." State v. Baum, 224 N.J. 147,
158-59 (2016) (quoting State v. Reddish, 181 N.J. 553, 613 (2004)). We must
give "careful attention" to jury instructions. State v. Montalvo, 229 N.J. 300,
320 (2017). "They 'must provide a "comprehensible explanation of the
A-0256-19
15
questions that the jury must determine, including the law of the case applicable
to the facts that the jury may find."'" Ibid. (quoting State v. Singleton, 211 N.J.
157, 181-82 (2012)).
A "court has an 'independent duty . . . to ensure that the jurors receive
accurate instructions on the law as it pertains to the facts and issues of each case,
irrespective of the particular language suggested by either party.'" Baum, 224
N.J. at 159 (alteration in original) (quoting Reddish, 181 N.J. at 613). Where a
trial court follows a model jury charge, we typically afford the instruction given
a "presumption of propriety." Estate of Kotsovska v. Liebman, 221 N.J. 568,
596 (2015).
"Because proper jury instructions are essential to a fair trial, 'erroneous
instructions on material points are presumed to' possess the capacity to unfairly
prejudice the defendant." Baum, 224 N.J. at 159 (quoting State v. Bunch, 180
N.J. 534, 541-42 (2004)). However, "[w]ithout an objection at the time a jury
instruction is given, there is a presumption that the charge was not error and was
unlikely to prejudice the defendant's case." Montalvo, 229 N.J. at 321 (emphasis
added); see also State v. Funderburg, 225 N.J. 66, 79 (2016) (explaining that the
time to object to a jury instruction is before the jury deliberates). Indeed, failure
A-0256-19
16
to object to a jury instruction "is considered a waiver to object to the instruction
on appeal." State v. Maloney, 216 N.J. 91, 104 (2013).
When a defendant fails to object to an error regarding jury charges, we
review for plain error. Montalvo, 229 N.J. at 320-21 (citing R. 1:7-2); see also
Funderburg, 225 N.J. at 79. "Under that standard, we disregard any alleged error
'unless it is of such a nature as to have been clearly capable of producing an
unjust result.'" Ibid. (quoting R. 2:10-2). "The mere possibility of an unjust
result is not enough. To warrant reversal. . . , an error at trial must be sufficient
to raise 'a reasonable doubt . . . as to whether the error led the jury to a result it
otherwise might not have reached.'" Ibid. (alteration in original) (quoting State
v. Jenkins, 178 N.J. 347, 361 (2004)).
In the context of jury instructions, "plain error requires demonstration of
'legal impropriety in the charge prejudicially affecting the substantial rights of
the defendant and sufficiently grievous to justify notice by the reviewing court
and to convince the court that of itself the error possessed a clear capacity to
bring about an unjust result.'" State v. Chapland, 187 N.J. 275, 289 (2006)
(quoting State v. Hock, 54 N.J. 526, 538 (1969)). In deciding that issue, we
"read [the instruction] as a whole in determining whether there was any error."
State v. Torres, 183 N.J. 554, 564 (2005). Moreover, the effect of any error
A-0256-19
17
must be considered "in light 'of the overall strength of the State's case.'" State
v. Walker, 203 N.J. 73, 90 (2010) (quoting Chapland, 187 N.J. at 289).
We review a trial court's response to a jury question in a similar fashion.
"It is firmly established that '[w]hen a jury requests a clarification,' the trial court
'is obligated to clear the confusion.'" State v. Savage, 172 N.J. 374, 394 (2002)
(alteration in original) (quoting State v. Conway, 193 N.J. Super. 133, 157 (App.
Div. 1984)). If the jury's question is ambiguous, "the judge is obligated to clear
the confusion by asking the jury the meaning of its request." State v. Graham,
285 N.J. Super. 337, 342 (App. Div. 1995). Whether, after consulting with
counsel, a trial court's response to a jury question is adequate can be inferred
from the jury not asking any additional related questions or seeking further
clarification. See State v. McClain, 248 N.J. Super. 409, 421 (App. Div. 1991)
(emphasizing that the jury's failure "to ask for further clarification or indicate
confusion demonstrates that the response was satisfactory"); State v. Morgan,
423 N.J. Super. 453, 469-70 (App. Div. 2011) (presuming a judge's response to
a jury question is proper when the judge consults with counsel before
responding), aff'd, 217 N.J. 1 (2013).
In our review, we determine whether the trial court "erred in its response
and, if so, whether that 'error undermines our confidence that the deliberative
A-0256-19
18
process produced a just result and the conviction must be reversed.'" State v.
Lykes, 192 N.J. 519, 537 (2007) (quoting State v. Parsons, 270 N.J. Super. 213,
224-25 (App. Div. 1994)).
In formulating either its instructions or a response to a jury question, it is
"fundamental to the assurance of a fair trial, that the trial court ensure that jury
deliberations are based solely on, the evidence and in accordance with proper
and adequate jury instructions." State v. Josephs, 174 N.J. 44, 91 (2002). Jury
instructions must be supported by the evidence in the record. State v. Christener,
71 N.J. 55, 69 (1976), abrogated on other grounds by State v. Wilder, 193 N.J.
398, 407 (2008). "[T]he giving of an instruction that correctly states the law,
but is inapplicable to the facts or issues before the court is error." State v.
Thomas, 76 N.J. 344, 365 (1978).
Applying these guiding principles to defendant's arguments, we conclude
that the trial court did not err, either in the instructions it delivered to the jury
or in its response to the jury's questions. First, as conceded by defendant, he did
not object to the trial court not charging the jury about the federal law. Second,
it is undisputed that the court's instruction about the jury's consideration of
Amelia's and her father's immigration followed the Model Jury Charge and
instructed that the jury could consider whether it was influenced by any promises
A-0256-19
19
made regarding their immigration status. Third, after the court responded to the
jury's question it did not ask any follow up questions or otherwise seek further
clarification about the immigration status charge.
Last, but most significant, as the trial court observed, there was no
evidence adduced at trial that either Amelia or her father knew anything about
the possible availability of a U Visa. The only evidence in the case about
Amelia's and her father's plans was that the father intended to go back to
Honduras, not seek citizenship here, and Amelia wanted to go to college here
and become a police officer. Under these circumstances, the trial court would
have erred if it instructed the jury about the federal law. See Lesniak v. Cnty.
of Bergen, 117 N.J. 12 (1989) ("A jury instruction that has no basis in the
evidence is insupportable, as it tends to mislead the jury.").
III.
We next consider defendant's contention that the trial court erred by
denying his Rule 3:18-1 motion for a judgment of acquittal at the end of the
State's case.6 His only contention in this regard, without further explanation, is
6
In support of his argument, defendant contends that the denial of his motion
was tantamount to the denial of a motion for judgment notwithstanding the jury's
verdict (JNOV) under Rule 3:18-2, which he never made. For our purposes, as
explained infra, the failure to file the post-verdict motion does not make any
A-0256-19
20
that "there was insufficient evidence, based on the incredible and inconsistent
evidence provided by [Amelia] that he committed the sexual abuse crimes as a
matter of law." As already noted, the trial court denied the motion based not
only on Amelia's testimony but also the DNA tests results from Amelia's
underwear that confirmed that article of clothing and the napkin she retrieved
contained defendant's DNA. We agree with the trial court's conclusion.
A motion for judgment of acquittal is governed by Rule 3:18-1, and a
motion for JNOV is governed by Rule 3:18-2. Trial courts apply the same
standard under either rule and must consider
whether the evidence viewed in its entirety, and giving
the State the benefit of all of its favorable testimony and
all of the favorable inferences which can reasonably be
drawn therefrom, is such that a jury could properly find
beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was guilty
of the crime charged.
difference to our decision. Notably, defendant also failed to file a motion for a
new trial under Rule 3:20-1, the denial of which is a prerequisite to arguing on
appeal that the weight of the evidence was insufficient to support the verdict, as
defendant now argues before us. See R. 2:10-1. Even if he had, we find no
"'miscarriage of justice under the law,' R. 2:10-1, because the 'trier of fact could
rationally have found beyond a reasonable doubt that the essential elements of
the crime were present.'" State v. Herrera, 385 N.J. Super. 486, 492 (App. Div.
2006) (quoting State v. Smith, 262 N.J. Super. 487, 512 (App. Div. 1993)).
A-0256-19
21
[State v. Tindell, 417 N.J. Super. 530, 549 (App. Div.
2011) (quoting State v. D.A., 191 N.J. 158, 163
(2007)).]
Thus, the question is whether the entirety of the evidence was sufficient,
giving the State the benefit of all legitimate inferences, to find beyond a
reasonable doubt that the defendant was guilty. See State v. Lodzinksi, ___ N.J.
___, __ (2021) (slip op. at 39). We apply that standard when reviewing de novo
the trial court's decision. Ibid. "We assess the sufficiency in the record anew,
and therefore we owe no deference to the findings of . . . the trial court." Ibid.
We conclude that, in this case, the evidence was sufficient to sustain the
jury's verdict. We therefore conclude the court did not err by denying
defendant's motions for a judgment of acquittal, substantially for the reasons
stated by the trial court. We only emphasize that as the trial court mentioned,
the presence of defendant's DNA on the child's underwear provided more than
adequate corroboration of Amelia's testimony especially when "giving the State
the benefit of all of its favorable testimony as well as all of the favorable
inferences which can reasonably be drawn therefrom." Id. at __ (slip op at 39).
IV.
Finally, we consider defendant's challenge to his sentence. Defendant
challenges only the court's consideration of mitigating factors under N.J.S.A.
A-0256-19
22
2C:44-1(b), and its conclusion that the presumption against incarceration for
third and fourth-degree crimes had been rebutted. According to defendant, the
trial court "failed to take into account [his] arguments for mitigating factors
other than [seven], despite the fact that there were over a dozen letters in support
of [defendant's] character" and other mitigating factors presented and argued at
sentencing. He also argues that the judge "failed to understand" that defendant
was convicted of third and fourth-degree crimes and "enjoyed the presumption"
of non-incarceration. We disagree.
A.
At sentencing, after considering counsels' presentencing submissions and
oral arguments, the trial court found the circumstances of defendant's case was
"very disturbing" because "defendant preyed upon a [fourteen-year-old] girl
who was a guest in his home." It found applicable aggravating factors two, the
gravity and seriousness of the harm inflicted, N.J.S.A. 2C:44-1(a)(2), three, the
risk that defendant would commit another offense, N.J.S.A. 2C:44-1(a)(3), and
nine, the need for deterring defendant and others, N.J.S.A. 2C:44-1(a)(9). The
court explained its reasons for each of those factors. The court rejected the
State's argument for application of aggravating factor four, N.J.S.A. 2C:44 -
1(a)(4), defendant took advantage of a position of trust or confidence to commit
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the offense, because the court agreed with the defense that its application would
be double counting.
Addressing the mitigating factors, the court concluded that defendant was
entitled to mitigating factor seven, that defendant had no prior criminal history ,
N.J.S.A. 2C:44-1(b)(7). As to factor eight, that his conduct was the result of
circumstances unlikely to recur, N.J.S.A. 2C:44-1(b)(8), and mitigating factor
nine, the character and the attitude of the defendant, N.J.S.A. 2C:44-1(b)(9), the
court found that defendant had not accepted responsibility for his actions and as
a result is "not willing to do anything to change or learn from what he has been
convicted of," as such, it was "hard for the [c]ourt to see how those factors would
apply." The court acknowledged defendant's positive attributes described in the
letters as true but explained that they "were also true at the time that he engaged
in this conduct," and that those attributes did not stop him from abusing Amelia,
so those factors did not apply.
The court rejected application of mitigating factor ten, that defendant
would be particularly likely to respond affirmatively to probationary treatment ,
N.J.S.A. 2C:44-1(b)(10), because defendant could not be sentenced to
probation, as he would be on parole supervision for life. As to factor eleven,
N.J.S.A. 2C:44-1(b)(11), that the imprisonment would entail an excessive
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hardship to himself or his dependents, the court found that it applied, but noted
it was of slight weight.
The court then turned to the presumption against imprisonment that
existed because defendant was not convicted of a first- or second-degree crime,
and had no prior convictions. In doing so, it recognized that defendant was
facing other consequences, such as losing his nursing license and being on
parole supervision for life, and it considered the letters written on his behalf, but
also took into consideration the fact that defendant, a man who Amelia and her
father trusted, took advantage of that trust, and abused a "young [fourteen -
]year[-]old victim, who was not in [any way] sophisticated or experienced
sexually." The court ultimately concluded, under N.J.S.A. 2C:44-1(e)7 and State
7
N.J.S.A. 2C:44-1(e) reads:
The court shall deal with a person convicted of an
offense other than a crime of the first or second-degree,
who has not previously been convicted of an offense,
without imposing a sentence of imprisonment unless,
having regard to the nature and circumstances of the
offense and the history, character, and condition of the
defendant, it is of the opinion that imprisonment is
necessary for the protection of the public under the
criteria set forth in subsection a. of this section.
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v. Roth, 95 N.J. 334 (1984), that defendant must be imprisoned for the protection
of the public.
Based on those findings, the court sentenced defendant on the third-degree
endangering the welfare of a child, N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4(a), to four years
imprisonment, and to concurrent twelve-month sentences each for the two
counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, N.J.S.A. 2C:14-3.
B.
Our "review of the length of a sentence is limited." State v. Miller, 205
N.J. 109, 127 (2011). In our review, we are "guided by an abuse of discretion
standard." State v. Jones, 232 N.J. 308, 318 (2018). Under that standard, we
will affirm a sentence "unless: (1) the sentencing guidelines were violated; (2)
the findings of aggravating and mitigating factors were not 'based upon
competent credible evidence in the record;' or (3) 'the application of the
guidelines to the facts' of the case 'shock[s] the judicial conscience.'" State v.
Bolvito, 217 N.J. 221, 228 (2014) (alteration in original) (quoting Roth, 95 N.J.
at 364-65). In making that determination, we will not "'substitute [our]
assessment of aggravating and mitigating factors' for the trial court's judgment,"
but "'assess the aggravating and mitigating factors to determine whether they
were based upon competent credible evidence in the record.'" Miller, 205 N.J.
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at 127 (quoting State v. Bieneik, 200 N.J. 601, 608 (2010)). In doing so, we
afford the trial court more discretion in its determination about the application
of mitigating factors than the aggravating factors. State v. Blackmon, 202 N.J.
283, 297 (2010).
Applying that deferential standard, we conclude the sentence imposed
here was not the result of an abuse of discretion, nor does it shock our judicial
conscience. There is nothing in the record to support defendant's contentions
that the trial court only considered his arguments as to mitigating factor seven,
as it clearly reflects the court considered factors eight, nine, ten, and eleven as
well. And, its determinations were supported by the evidence in the record.
As to the presumption of non-incarceration, defendant's argument that the
trial court did not understand the presumption is similarly belied by the record.
The trial court specifically recognized that in sentencing for crimes of the third-
or fourth-degree, there exists a presumption of non-imprisonment if the
defendant previously has not been convicted of an offense. N.J.S.A. 2C:44-
1(e).8 However, the trial court properly found that the presumption was
8
The statute states the following:
The court shall deal with a person convicted of an
offense other than a crime of the first or second-degree,
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overcome by its findings about the nature of the crime committed and that a
prison term was necessary for the protection of the public. Ibid.; see also State
v. Gardner, 113 N.J. 510, 517 (1989) ("[T]he presumption can be overcome only
by a conclusion that [a defendant's] 'imprisonment is necessary for the protection
of the public under the criteria set forth' in N.J.S.A. 2C:44-1(a), with additional
reference to the 'nature and circumstances of the offense and the history,
character and condition of the defendant.'" (quoting N.J.S.A. 2C:44-1(a))).
Affirmed.
who has not previously been convicted of an offense,
without imposing a sentence of imprisonment unless,
having regard to the nature and circumstances of the
offense and the history, character, and condition of the
defendant, it is of the opinion that imprisonment is
necessary for the protection of the public under the
criteria set forth in subsection a. of this section.
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