Title: State v. Baron

State: vermont

Issuer: Vermont Supreme Court

Document:

State v. Baron (2003-098); 176 Vt. 314; 848 A.2d 275

2004 VT 20

[Filed 27-Feb-2004]

       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.

                                 2004 VT 20

                                No. 2003-098

  State of Vermont	                         Supreme Court

        	                                 On Appeal from
       v.	                                 District Court of Vermont,
                                                 Unit No. 3, Lamoille Circuit

  Raymond Baron	                                 September Term, 2003

  Edward J. Cashman, J.

  Craig S. Nolan, Lamoille County Deputy State's Attorney, Hyde Park, for
    Plaintiff-Appellant.

  Frederick L. Woeckener, Hyde Park, for Defendant-Appellee. 

  PRESENT:  Amestoy, C.J., Dooley, Johnson and Skoglund, JJ., and Allen, C.J.
            (Ret.),  Specially Assigned

       ¶  1.  DOOLEY, J.   The State appeals a Lamoille District Court
  decision granting defendant's motion to dismiss charges that he violated
  the domestic assault statute, 13 V.S.A. § 1042.  The State argues that the
  trial court erroneously construed § 1042 to require serious bodily injury
  in cases of parent-on-child assaults.  We reverse.
   
       ¶  2.  The trial court dismissed this case pursuant to defendant's
  V.R.Cr.P. 12(d) motion for lack of a prima facie case. In reviewing a Rule
  12(d) motion, we consider whether the evidence, "taken in the light most
  favorable to the State, excluding modifying evidence, would fairly and
  reasonably tend to show defendant committed the offense, beyond a
  reasonable doubt."  State v. Millette, 173 Vt. 596, 596,