Case Title: State v. Galusha

Citation: 164 Vt 91, 665 A.2d 595

Docket Number: 

State: vermont

Court: Vermont Supreme Court

Date: 1995-08-04T00:00:00Z

Document:
STATE_V_GALUSHA.94-248; 164 Vt 91; 665 A.2d 595

[Filed 4-Aug-1995]


  NOTICE:  This opinion is subject to motions for reargument under
  V.R.A.P. 40 as well as formal revision before publication in the Vermont
  Reports.  Readers are requested to notify the Reporter of Decisions,
  Vermont Supreme Court, 109 State Street, Montpelier, Vermont 05609-0801 of
  any errors in order that corrections may be made before this opinion goes
  to press.


                                 No. 94-248


State of Vermont                                  Supreme Court

                                                  On Appeal from
    v.                                            District Court of Vermont,
                                                  Unit No. 1, Bennington Circuit

Harold A. Galusha                                 March Term, 1995


Ellen Holmes Maloney, J.

William D. Wright, Bennington County State's Attorney, and Marcia J. Moss, 
Deputy State's Attorney, Bennington, for plaintiff-appellant

Charles S. Martin of Martin & Paolini, Barre, for defendant-appellee


PRESENT:  Allen, C.J., Gibson, Dooley, Morse and Johnson, JJ.


       MORSE, J.  The State appeals the dismissal of an attempted extortion
  charge against defendant Harold Galusha.  It argues that "injury to the
  person" in 13 V.S.A. § 1701 includes injury other than physical harm and
  that the trial court should not have dismissed the charge for lack of a
  prima facie case.  V.R.Cr.P. 12(d).  We agree and reverse.

       The State's information alleged that defendant delivered a letter to a
  female minor, in which he threatened to disclose a sexually explicit
  videotape to the minor's parents and custodian unless she agreed to
  continue their relationship.  The videotape showed defendant and the minor
  engaged in sexual acts.

       The statute in issue states:

     A person who maliciously threatens to accuse another of a crime
     or offense, or with an injury to his person or property, with intent
     to extort money or other pecuniary advantage, or with intent to
     compel the person so threatened to do an act against his will, shall
     be imprisoned not more than three years or fined not more than
     $500.00 or both.



  13 V.S.A. § 1701 (emphasis added).

       In construing the statute, our goal is to effect legislative intent. 
  State v. Wilcox, 160 Vt. 271, 275,