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____________________________________ * Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court. NON - PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37 COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA Appellee v. MATTHEW SHELTON PARKER Appellant : : : : : : : : : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

No. 1186 WDA 2018 Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered July 31, 2018 In the Court of Common Pleas of Butler County Criminal Division at No(s): CP
- 10 - CR - 0000052 - 2017 BEFORE: GANTMAN, P.J.E., SHOGAN, J., and COLINS*, J. MEMORANDUM BY GANTMAN, P.J.E.: FILED MAY 8, 2019 Appellant, Matthew Shelton Parker, appeals from the judgment of sentence entered in the Butler County Court of Common Pleas, following his jury trial convictions for two counts of rape by forcible compulsion, and one count each of aggravated indecent assault, corruption of a minor , endangering the welfare of a child , indecent a ssault without consent of other, indecent assault by forcible compulsion, and indecent assault of a person less than sixteen. 1 We affirm. The relevant facts and procedural history of this case are as follows. Over the course of several year s , Appellant repeatedly propositioned and sexually abused Victim, his minor daughter. Ultimately, Appellant raped

_________________ __________ ______ ____ _______ 1 18 Pa .C.S.A. §§ 3121(a)(1), 3125(a)(8), 6301(a)(1)(ii), 4304(a)(1), 3126(a)(1 ), 3126(a)(2 ), and 3126(a)(8), respectively.J - S15033 - 19

- 2 - Victim twice around the time of her sixteenth birthday. Shortly after the assaults occurred , Victim re vealed the abuse to a school guidance couns elor who, as mandated , reported the abuse to the Department of Human Services . On February 15, 2018, the Commonwealth filed notice of its intent to introduce Pa.R.E. 404(b) evidence at trial. Following trial, a jury convicted Appellant of the offenses on February 28, 2018 . O n July 31, 2018, the court sentenced A ppellant to an aggr e gate term of one hundred forty - ei ght (148) to two hundred ninety - six (296) months’ incarceration, plus sixty (60) months’ probation. The court also gave Appellant notice of his sex offender reporting requirements. Appellant filed a timely notice of appea l on August 17, 2018. On August 20, 2018, the court ordered Appellant to file a concise statement of errors complained of on appeal per Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b). Following an extension, Appellant filed his Rule 1925(b) statement on October 22, 2018. Appellan t raises the following issues for our review: DID THE COURT ERR BY ADMITTING EVIDENCE OF PRIOR BAD ACTS AND BY FAIL URE TO OFFER A CURAT IVE INSTRUCTION AND/OR A JURY CHARGE? DID THE COURT ERR WH EN IT IMPEDED IMPEAC HMENT DURING CROSS - EXAMINA TION OF THE ALLE GED VICTIM? WAS THE VERDICT AGAI NST THE WEIGHT OF TH E EVIDENCE? WAS THE JURY MISHAND LED BY THE COURT? ( Appellant’s Brief at 5). “The admissibility of evidence is at the discretion of the trial court andJ - S15033 - 19

- 3 - only a showing of an abuse of that discretion, and resulting prejudice, constitutes reversible error.” Commonwealth v. Ballard , 622 Pa. 177, 197 - 98, 80 A.3d 380, 392 (2013), cert. denied , 573 U.S. 940 , 134 S.Ct. 2842, 189 L.Ed.2d 824 (2014). The term “discretion” imports the exercise of judgment, wisdom and skill so as to reach a dispassionate conclusion, within the framework of the law, and is not exercised for the purpose of giving effect to the will of the judge. Discretion must be exercised on the foundation of reason, as opposed to prejudice, personal motivations, caprice or arbitrary actions. Discretion is abused when the course pursued represents not merely an error of judgment, but where the judgment is manifestly unreasonable or where the law is not applied or where the record shows that the action is a result of partiality, prejudice, bias or ill will. Commonwealth v. Goldman , 70 A.3d 874, 878 - 79 (Pa.Super. 2013), appeal denied , 624 Pa. 672, 85 A.3d 482 (2014). “To constitute reversible e rror, an evidentiary ruling must not only be erroneous, but also harmful or prejudicial to the complaining party.” Commonwealth v. Lopez , 57 A.3d 74, 81 (Pa.Super. 2012), appeal denied , 619 Pa. 678, 62 A.3d 379 (2013). Similarly, our standard of review of a court’s decision to include or omit jury instructions “is one of deference — an appellate court will reverse a court’s decision only when it abused its discretion or committed an error of law.” Commonwealth v. Baker , 24 A.3d 1006, 1022 (Pa.Super. 2011 ), aff’d , 621 Pa. 401, 78 A.3d 1044 (2013) (quoting Commonwealth v. Galvin , 603 Pa. 625, 651, 985 A.2d 783, 799 (2009), cert. denied , 559 U.S. 1051, 130 S.Ct. 2345, 176 L.Ed.2d 565 (2010)).J - S15033 - 19

- 4 - The following principles apply to a weight of the evidence claim : The weight of the evidence is exclusively for the finder of fact who is free to believe all, part, or none of the evidence and to determine the credibility of the witnesses. An appellate court cannot substitute its judgment for that of the finder of fact. Thus, we may only reverse the...verdict if it is so contrary to the evidence as to shock one’s sense of justice. Commonwealth v. Small , 559 Pa. 423, [435,] 741 A.2d 666, 672 - 73 (1999). Moreover, where the trial court has ruled on the weight claim be low, an appellate court’s role is not to consider the underlying question of whether the verdict is against the weight of the evidence. Rather, appellate review is limited to whether the trial court palpably abused its discretion in ruling on the weight c laim. Commonwealth v. Champney , 574 Pa. 435, 444, 832 A.2d 403, 408 (2003), cert. denied , 542 U.S. 939, 124 S.Ct. 2906, 159 L.Ed.2d 816 (2004) (most internal citations omitted). After a thorough review of the record, the briefs of the parties, the applic able law, and the well - reasoned opinion of the Honorable William R. Shaffer, we conclude Appellant’s issues merit no relief. The trial court opinion comprehensively discusses and properly disposes of the questions presented. ( See Trial Court Opinion, fil ed October 30, 2018, at 2 - 8) (finding: (1) trial counsel did not object to Commonwealth’s introduction of prior bad acts evidence; therefore, Appellant’s evidentiary claim is waived; moreover, Appellant’s claim would not merit relief; prior bad acts eviden ce was admissible under res gestae exception; evidence showed history of case and natural development of facts ; evidence also demonstrated Appellant’sJ - S15033 - 19

- 5 - common plan or scheme because it reflected examples of abuse of similar nature; Appellant’s claim that trial court failed to give curative instruction regarding prior bad acts evidence is waived because Appellant did not request instruction or object to la ck of instruction at trial; further, trial court declines to address Appellant’s ineffective assistance of counsel claim upon direct review [ 2 ] ; (2) counsel did not object at trial to Commonwealth’s use of audio tape of Victim’s forensic statement, so Appel lant’s claim is waived; moreover, issue would merit no relief; trial court did not instruct Commonwealth to use any particular procedure regarding forensic interview; (3) Appellant’s weight claim is waived, because Appellant failed to raise weight challeng e at any stage before filing notice of appeal; moreover, verdict was not against weight

_________________ __________ ______ ____ _______ 2 To the extent Appellant makes an ineffectiveness of counsel argument in his first appellate issue , “a s a general rule, a petitioner should wait to raise claims of ineffective assistance of trial counsel until collateral review.” Commonwealth v. Grant , 572 Pa. 4 8, 67, 813 A.2d 726, 738 (2002). Our Supreme Court has recognized two very limited exceptions to the general rule in Grant regarding when trial courts may review ineffective assistance of counsel claims: (1) in extraordinary circumstances where claims of trial counsel ’s ineffectiveness are apparent from the record and immediate consideration best serves the interests of justice and/or (2) where there is good cause shown and review of the claim is preceded by a waiver of the right to seek collateral review. Commonwealth v. Holmes , 621 Pa. 595, 598 - 99, 79 A.3d 562, 563 - 64 (2013). Ineffectiveness claims may be raised on direct appeal only if: (1) the appellant raised his claim(s) in a post
- sentence motion; (2) an evidentiary hearing was held on the claim(s); and (3) a record devoted to the claim(s) has been developed. Commonwealth v. Leverette , 911 A.2d 998, 1004 (Pa.Super. 2006). Here, Appellant failed to satisfy the requirements of Holmes and Leverette . Therefore, this appeal is not the proper time to ra ise or address any ineffectiveness of counsel claim. Instead, Appellant must wait to raise his claim(s) in a timely filed PCRA petition.J - S15033 - 19

- 6 - of evidence and does not shock one’s sense of justice; (4) trial court did not permit juror to ask counsel question during closing arguments when juror sought to do so; court advised jurors to seek additional instruction by making written request through foreperson). The record supports the court’s analysis , and we see no reason to disturb it . Accordingly, we affirm on the basis of the trial court opinion. Judgment of sentence affirmed. Judgment Entered. Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq. Prothonotary Date: 5/8/2019Circulated 04/23/2019 04:44 PM

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en d antr ai s e s th e fo ll o win g cl ai m s i n hi s " C o n c i s e S t at e m e nt o f M att e r s C o mp l ai n e d o f o n Ap p e a l " :

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th e e v i d e n c e ; " an d 6 ) th e C o urt ab u s e d i t s d i s c r e ti o n wh e n i t d i d n o t p e rm i t aj uro r t o a s k a qu e s ti o n d uri n g c l o s i n g argum e nt. T h e cl ai m s w ill b e a d dr e s s e d i n th e o r d e r th e y w e r e p r e s e nt e d in th e S t at e m e nt.



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u c ti o n o f th e p ri o r b a d a c t s e v i d e n c e . A c c o rd in g ly , th e D e fe n d ant' s cl ai m i s w a i v e d . E v e n i f th at i s n o t th e c as e , th e e v i d e n c e w a s a dm i s s ib l e un d e r th e 

### res ges t a e e x c ep ti o n . T h e e v i d e n c e o f th e p ri o r b a d a c t s w a s n e c e s s ar y t o s h o w th e h i s t o ry o f

th e c as e an d th e n atur al d e v e l o p m e nt o f th e fa c t s , s p e ci fi c a lly , th e y e ar s - l o n g , e s c al ati n g c o ur s e o fab u s e b y th e D e fe n d ant a g a i n s t th e v i c ti m an d th e c i rc um s t an c e s att e n d ant t o th e v i c ti m d e l ay i n g d i s c l o s ur e o f th at ab u s e . T h e p ri o r b a d a c t s e v i d e n c e w a s p ro b ati v e o f th e D e fe n d ant ' s c o mm o n p l an o r s c h e m e i n th at th e y r e fl e c t e d ab u s e o f a s i mi l ar n at ur e a s o c c urre d at th e v i c ti m ' s r e s i d e n c e . T h e D e fe n d ant ' s s e c o n d cl ai m , th at th e C o urt f ai l e d t o g i v e a li m i ti n g i n s tru c ti o n , i s w ai v e d b e c au s e th e D e fe n d ant d i d n o t o b j e c t t o th e C o urt ' s f

ai lur e t o g i v e s u c h an i n s tru c ti o n . I n h i s thi r d c l ai m , th e D e f en d ant a s s e rt s th at tri al c o un s e l r e n d e r e d in e ff e c ti v e a s s i s tan c e . S u c h cl a i m s ar e p ro p e rl y r e s e rv e d fo r c o ll at e r al r e v i e w un d e r 

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h v . 

### Gra n t , 8 13 A. 2 d 72 6 ( P a . 2 0 0 3 ) . W e d e c li n e t o gr ant th e D e fe n d ant' s r e qu e s t t o fi n d at thi s s t a g e fro m th e r e c o r d th at tri a l c o un s e l r e n d e r e d in e ff e c ti v e a s s i s t an c e . F o urth , th e D e fe n d ant cl a i m s , " [ t] h e C o urt e rr e d wh e n i t o rd e r e d D e fe n s e Att o rn e y C l ark t o p l ay [ th e v i c ti m ' s ] fo r e n s i c i nt e rv i e w t a p e t o h e r p ri o r t o furth e r c ro s s e x am i n ati o n . " T h e D e fe n d ant di d n o t o b

j e c t t o th e p ro c e d

ur e ut ili z e d r e g ar di n g th e v i c ti m ' s fo r e n s i c i nt e rv i e w . T h e D e fe n d ant' s c l ai m i s w ai v e d . E v e n i f th at w e r e n o t s o , th e C o urt di d n o t o r d e r D e fe n s e Att o rn e y C l ark t o ut ili z e any p arti c ul ar p ro c e d ur e r e g ar di n g th e fo r e n s i c int e rv i e w . T h e D e fe n d ant . n e xt c l a i m s th at th e " v e rd i c t i s a g ai n s t th e w e i ght an d s u ffi ci e n c y o f th e

. e v i d e n c e . " T h e C o urt b e l i e v e s th e D e fe n d ant ' s w e i ght o f th e e v i d e n c e cl a i m i s w a i v e d in th at

2th e c l ai m w a s n o t r a i s e d b e fo r e th i s C o urt p ri o r t o th e N o ti c e o f Ap p e al h av i n g b e e n fi l e d . E v e n i f th at i s n o t s o , th e v e rdi c t i s n o t " a g ain s t th e w e i ght an d s u f fi ci e n c y o f

th e e v i d e n c e . " T h e S u p r e m e C o urt o f

P e nn s y l v ani a h as a d dr e s s e d th e s t an d ar d o fr e v i e w fo r a s uf fi ci e n c y o f

th e e v i d e n c e c h a ll e n g e a s fo ll o w s : Wh e n r e v i e w i n g a c h al l e n g e t o th e s u f fi ci e n c y o fth e e v i d e n c e , w e mu s t d e t e rm i n e i fth e C o mm o nw e al th e s t ab li s h e d b e y o n d a r e a s o n ab l e d o ub t e a c h o f th e e l e m e nt s o fth e o ff

en s e , c o n s i d e ri n g th e e nti re tri al r e c o r d an d al l o f th e e v i d e n c e r e c e i v e d , an d dr awi n g al l r e a s o n ab l e i nf e re n c e s fro m th e e v i d e n c e i n fav o r o f th e C o mm o nw e al th a s th e v e r d i c t - w i nn e r . T h e C o mm o nw e a lth m ay s u s tai n i t s b ur d e n o f

p ro o fb y wh o ll y c i r c um s t anti a l e vi d e n c e . C o m m o n w e a lt

h v. Se gida, 9 8 5 A . 2 d 8 7 1 , 8 8 0 ( P a . 2 0 0 9 ) ( ci tati o n s o mi tt e d) . M o r e r e c e ntly , th e S u p r e m e C o urt h as s e t fo rth th e s t an d ard o f r e v i e w r e l at e d t o th e s u f

fi c i e n c y o f

th e e v i d e n c e : T h e s t an d ar d o f

r e v i e w fo r e v i d e nti ary s uf

fi c i e n c y i s wh e th e r th e e v i d e n c e , v i e w e d i n th e li ght m o s t fav o r ab l e t o th e C o mm o nw e al th a s th e v e rd i c t w inn e r , s u p p o rt s th e j ury ' s fi n di n g th at e v e ry e l e m e nt o f th e o ff ens e w a s p ro v e n b e y o n d a r e a s o n ab l e d o ub t. T h e C o mm o nw e al th m ay s u s t ai n thi s b urd e n b y wh o ll y ci rc um s t ant i al e v i d e n c e an d th e j ury i s fr e e t o b e li e v e al l , p art , o r n o n e o f th e e v i d e n c e . C o m m o n w e a lt

h v. H i c ks, 1 5 6 A. 3 d 1 1 1 4 , 1 1 2 3 ( P a . 2 0 1 7 ) , c e r t . d e n i e d s u b n o m H

i cks v. Pe n n s y lva n i a, 13 8 S . C t. 1 7 6 ( 2 0 1 7 ) ( ci tati o n s o mi tt e d) . " Th e fa c t s an d c i rc um s t an c e s e s t ab l i s h e d b y th e C o mm o nw e al th n e e d n o t p r e c lu d e e v e r y p o s s ib ili ty o fi nn o c e n c e . It i s wi th i n th e p ro v i n c e o f

th e fa c t - fi n d e r t o d e t e rm i n e th e w e i ght t o b e a c c o r d e d t o e a c h w i tn e s s ' s t e s ti m o ny an d t o b e l i e v e a ll , p art , o r n o n e o f th e e v i d e n c e . " C

o m m o n w e a lt

h v. Pa l m e r , 1 9 2 A. 3 d 8 5 , 8 9 (P a . S u p e r . C t. 2 0 1 8 ) ( qu o ti n g C

o m m o n w e a lt

h v. W illi a m s, 1 7 6 A . 3 d 2 9 8 ( P a . S u p e r . C t. 20 1 7 ) . T h e S u p r e m e C o urt o f

P e nn s y l v ani a h a s ad dr e s s e d w e i ght o f th e e v i d e n c e c h al l e n g e s as in th e fo ll o wi n g m ann e r :

T h e w e i ght o fth e e v i d e n c e i s e x c lu s i v e l y fo r th e fi n d e r o f fa c t wh o i s fr e e t o b e li e v e al l , p art , o r n o n e o f th e e vi d e n c e an d t o de t e rm i n e th e c r e d ib ili ty o f th e 3w i tn e s s e s . An a p p e ll at e c o urt c ann o t s ub s ti t ut e i t s j u d gm e nt fo r th at o f th e fi n d e r o ffa c t. T hu s , w e m ay o n l y r e v e r s e th e l o w e r c o urt ' s v e rdi c t i f i t i s s o c o ntr ary t o th e e v i d e n c e a s t o s h o c k o n e ' s s e n s e o f j u s ti c e . C o m m o n w e a lt

h v . S m a ll , 74 1 A. 2 d 6 6 6 , 6 72 - 7 3 ( P a . 1 9 9 9 ) ( c it ati o n s o m i tt e d) . A m o ti o n fo r a n e w tri a l b as e d o n a cl ai m th at th e v e rd i c t i s a g ai n s t th e w e i ght o fth e e v i d e n c e i s a d dr e s s e d t o th e d i s c r e ti o n o f

th e tri al c o urt . Ap p e ll at e r e v i e w o fa w e i ght o f th e e v i d e n c e c l a i m i s di r e c t e d t o a r e v i e w o f

th e tri al c o urt ' s e x e r ci s e o fd i s c r e t i o n , n o t th e un d e rlyi n g qu e s t i o n o f wh e th e r a v e rd i c t w a s a g ai n s t th e w e i ght o f th e e v i d e n c e . C

o m m o nw e a lt

h v. J a c o b y , 1 7 0 A. 3 d 1 0 6 5 , 1 0 8 0 ( P a . 2 0 1 7 ) ( c i ti n g C

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h 

### v. Clay , 6 4 A J d 10 4 9 ( P a . 2 0 13 ) ) . T h e P e nn s y l v ani a S u p r e m e C o urt i n C

lay n o t e d th e s t an d ard a

p p li c ab l e t o w e i ght o f

th e e v i d e n c e cl ai m s : A n e w tri a l s h o u l d n o t b e gr ant e d b e c au s e o fa m e r e c o nfl i c t in th e t e s ti m o ny o r b e c au s e th e j u d g e o n th e s am e fa c t s w o u l d h av e arri v e d at a di ff er e nt c o n clu s i o n . R ath e r , th e ro l e o f

th e tri al j u d g e i s t o d e t e rmi n e th at n o tw i th s t an di n g al l th e f ac t s , c e rt ai n fa c t s ar e s o c l e arly o f gr e at e r w e i ght th at t o i gn o r e th e m o r t o g i v e th e m e qu al w e i ght w i th a ll th e fa c t s i s t o d e ny j u s ti c e . I t h a s o ft e n b e e n s t at e d th at a n e w tri al s h o u l d b e aw ar d e d wh e n th e j ur y ' s v e rdi c t i s s o c o ntr ary t o th e e v i d e n c e as t o s h o c k o n e ' s s e n s e o f

j u s ti c e an d th e aw ar d o f a n e w tri al i s imp e r at i v e s o th at ri ght m ay b e g i v e n an o th e r o p p o rtuni ty t o p r e v ai l. C o m m o n w e a lt

h v. Clay , 6 4 A J d 10 4 9 , 10 5 5 ( P a . 2 0 13 ) . A s w a s n o t e d a b o v e , th e D e fe n d ant ' s w e i ght o f th e e vi d e n c e cl ai m i s w ai v e d a s i t h a s b e e n r ai s e d fo r th e fir s t ti m e i n hi s S t at e m e nt. T h e D e fe n d ant w as c o nv i c t e d o f tw o c o unt s o f

r a p e b y fo rc ib l e c o mp u l s i o n o r thr e at o f fo r c ib l e c o mp u l s i o n , o n e c o unt e a c h o fa g gr av at e d i n d e c e nt as s aul t , c o rru p t i o n o f m i n o r s , e n d an g e ri n g th e w e l f

ar e o fa c hi l d , an d thr e e c o unt s o f in d e c e nt a s s aul t. S e c ti o n 3 1 2 1 o f th e C ri m e s C o d e , ra

p e , p ro vi d e s i n r e l e v ant p art : ( a ) O f fe n s e d e fi n e d . - A p e r s o n c o mmi t s a fe l o ny o f th e fi r s t d e gr e e wh e n th e p e r s o n e n g a g e s i n s e xua l i nt e r c o ur s e w i th a c o mp l ai n ant : ( 1 ) B y fo r c ib l e c o mp u l s i o n . , ( 2 ) B y thr e at o f fo r cib l e c o mp ul s i o n th at w o u l d p r e v e nt r e s i s t an c e b y a p e r s o n o f r e a s o n a b l e r e s o luti o n . 4S e c ti o n 3 1 2 5 ( a) ( 8 ) o f th e C ri m e s C o d e , a g gr av at e d i n d e c e nt a s s aul t , p ro v i d e s : ( a) O ff e n s e s d e fi n e d . - E x c ep t a s p ro v i d e d i n s e c ti o ns 3 1 2 1 ( r e l ati n g t o ra p e ) , 3 1 2 2 . 1 ( r e l ati n g t o s tatut o ry s e xu a l a s s aul t) , 3 1 2 3 (r e l at i n g t o inv o luntary d e v i at e s e xu a l i nt e rc o ur s e ) an d 3 1 2 4 . 1 ( r el ati n g t o s e xu al a s s au l t) , a p e r s o n wh o e n g a g e s i n p e n e tr at i o n , h o w e v e r s li ght , o f th e g e ni t a l s o r anu s o f a c o mp l a i n ant wi th a p art o f th e p e r s o n ' s b o dy fo r any p urp o s e o th e r th an g o o d f ai th m e di c a l , hy g i e ni c o r l aw e nf o r c e m e nt p ro c e d

ur e s c o mm i t s a g gr av at e d i n d e c e nt as s aul t i f : ( 8 ) th e c o mp l ai n ant i s l e s s th an 1 6 y e ar s o f a g e an d th e p e r s o n i s fo ur o r m o r e y e ar s o l d e r th an th e c o mp l ainant an d th e c o mp l ai n ant an d th e p e r s o n ar e n o t m arri e d t o e a c h o th e r . S e c ti o n 6 3 0 l ( a) (l ) ( ii ) o f

th e C ri m e s C o d e p ro v i d e s : ( a) O ff e n s e d e fi n e d . - ( ii ) Wh o e v e r , b e i n g o f

th e a g e o f 1 8 y e ar s an d u

p w ar d s , b y any c o ur s e o f c o n d u c t 

### in v i o l ati o n o fC h a

p t e r 3 1 ( r e l atin g t o s e xual o ff en s e s ) c o rru

p t s o r t e n d s t o c o rru

p t th e m o r al s o fany mi n o r l e s s th an 1 8 y e ar s o f a g e , o r wh o ai d s , ab e t s , e nt i c e s o r e n c o ur a g e s any s u c h m in o r i n th e c o mm i s s i o n o fan o ff e n s e un d e r C h a

p t e r 3 1 c o mmi t s a fe l o ny o f th e third d e gr e e . S e c t i o n 4 3 0 4 ( a) ( l ) o f

th e C rim e s C o d e s e t s 

### fo rth : ( a) O ff e n s e d e fi n e d . - ( I ) A p ar e nt , gu ar d i an o r o th e r p e r s o n s u p e rv i s in g th e w el f

ar e o f a c hi l d un d e r 1 8 y e ar s o f a g e , o r a p e r s o n th at e mp l o y s o r s u p e rv i s e s s u c h a p e r s o n , c o mm i t s an o ff

en s e i f h e kn o wi n gly e n d an g e r s th e w e lf ar e o f th e c hi l d b y vi o l ati n g a d

uty o f c ar e , p ro t e c ti o n o r s u p p o rt . F i na lly , § 3 1 2 6 o fth e C ri m e s C o d e p ro v i d e s i n r e l e v ant p art th e fo ll o w in g :

( a) O f f e n s e d e fi n e d . - A p e r s o n i s gu i l ty o f in d e c e nt a s s au lt i fth e p e r s o n h a s in d e c e nt c o nt a c t w i th th e c o mp l ain ant , c au s e s th e c o mp l ai n ant t o h av e i n d e c e nt

. c o nt a c t wi th th e p e r s o n o r i nt e nti o n al l y c au s e s th e c o mp l ai n ant t o c o m e int o c o nt a c t w i th s e mi n al flui d , uri n e o r fe c e s fo r th e p urp o s e o faro u s i n g s e xu al d e s i r e i n th e p e r s o n o r th e c o mp l ai n ant an d : ( I ) th e p e r s o n d o e s s o wi th o ut th e c o mp l ain ant ' s c o n s e nt ; ( 2 ) th e p e r s o n d o e s s o b y fo r cib l e c o mp u l s i o n ; ( 8 ) th e c o mp l ai n ant i s l e s s th an 1 6 y e ar s o f a g e an d th e p e r s o n i s fo ur o r m o r e y e ar s o l d e r th an th e c o mp l a i n ant an d th e c o mp l ai n ant an d th e p e r s o n ar e n o t m arri e d t o e a c h o th e r . 5W e wi ll b ri e fl y s e t fo rth s o m e o f th e t e s ti m o ny th at w a s p r e s e nt e d b y th e C o mm o nw e al th at tri a l , p ri n c ip al l y th at o f

th e v i c t i m an d h e r m o th e r . W e d o n o t int e n d t o s e t fo rth th e e nti r e ty o f th e C o mm o nw e al th ' s c a s e . T h e D e fe n d ant d i d n o t t e s ti fy o n h i s o wn b e h al f . T h e v i c ti m t e s ti fi e d th at th e D e fe n d ant b e g an b y a s ki n g h e r fo r s e x at a g e e i ght o r n i n e . F eb ru ar y 2 6 , 2 0 1 8 N . T . , 5 7 . S h e t e s ti fi e d th at th e fo ll o w i n g d ay , th e D e fe n d ant " gu il t trip p e d " h e r s o s h e di d n o t di s cl o s e th e i n ci d e nt i mm e di at e l y , b ut i n s t e a d w ai t e d a p p ro x i m at e ly o n e y e ar t o d o s o . I

d . at 5 8 . F ro m a g e fo urt e e n t o s i xt e e n , th e v i c ti m t e s ti fi e d , th e D e fe n d ant c o n s t antly a s k e d fo r s e x . I

d . at 6 0 . At o n e p o i nt , aft e r r e turn i n g fro m a fi e l d trip , th e v i c ti m di s cl o s e d t o h e r m o th e r th at th e D e fe n d ant h a d b e e n a s ki n g h e r t o h av e s e x . I d . at 6 1 . N o a c ti o n r e s u lt e d fro m th e di s c l o s ur e , th e v i c ti m t e s ti fi e d . I d . at 6 5 . Wh e n th e v i c tim r e j e c t e d th e D e fe n d ant' s r e qu e s t s t o h av e s e x , wh i c h r e qu e s t s w e r e u s ua lly m a d e whi l e h e an d th e v i c ti m w e r e c u d d li n g i n hi s b e dro o m , th e D e fe n d ant , th e v i c ti m t e s ti fi e d , w o u l d b e c o m e u p s e t an d s t o p t alkin g t o p e o p l e . I d . at 6 2 - 6 4 . Wh e n th e v i c ti m w a s fo urt e e n y e ar s o l d , th e D e fe n d ant , whi l e c u d dl i n g w i th th e v i c ti m i n h i s b e d , b e g an t o p ut hi s h an d d o wn th e v i c tim ' s un d e rw e ar an d t o u c h h e r g e ni t al s . I d . at 6 7 . T h e fi r s t ti m e i t o c c urr e d , th e v i c ti m s c r e am e d at th e D e fe n d ant an d r an o ut s i d e . T h e D e fe n d ant fo ll o w e d an d i n d i c at e d t o th e v i c ti m th at s h e h a d hurt hi s fe e l in g s . I d . at 6 8 . T h e in a

p p ro p ri at e t o u c hi n g - th e D e fe n d ant p utt in g hi s h an d i n th e v i c ti m ' s g e ni tal s - b e c am e a fr e qu e nt , n e ar d a i l y o c c urr e n c e . I

d . at 7 1 , 1 13 . At ti m e s , th e v i c ti m t e s ti fi e d , s h e w o ul d t e ll th e D e fe n d ant " n o " wh e n h e att e mp t e d t o a s s aul t h e r . T h e D e fe n d ant w o ul d r e s p o n d b y b e c o m in g u p s e t an d m o p in g . I d . at 72 . T h e v i c ti m t e s ti fi e d th at th e D e fe n d ant o n c e t o u c h e d h e r in h e r b e dro o m . I d a t 7 3 . S h e al s o t e s t i fi e d th at th e D e fe n d ant t o u c h e d h e r in a p p ro p ri at e ly d

urin g a c amp i n g trip an d wh i l e at a D i s n e y W o rl d Re s o rt . I

d . at 7 5 - 8 0 . 6T h e v i c ti m r e l at e d th at wh i l e th e D e fe n d ant n e v e r thr e ate n e d h e r wi th harm , h e m a d e

thr e at s t o w ar d s h i m s e l f

. T h e v i c ti m t e s ti fi e d : " H e w o u l d s ay th at h e c o u l dn ' t l as t l o n g wi th o ut m e i f I l e ft . H e t o l d m e h o w h e w o ul d d o s ui c i d e . . . H e s ai d th at o n e d ay h e w o u l d t ak e a b o ttl e , dri nk i t , dri v e , g e t run o v e r b y a tru c k. F i n d s o m e p l ac e t o c r a s h . " 

### I d . at 7 4 . T h e v i c ti m t e s ti fi e d th at at a p o i nt p ri o r t o h e r s i xt e e nth b i rth d ay , wh e n th e D e fe n d ant a s k e d th e v i c ti m t o h av e s e x , th e v i c ti m r e s p o n d e d b y s ay i n g , " I d o n ' t c ar e anym o r e . " I d . at 8 2 . T h e n e xt d ay , wh e n s h e c am e h o m e fr o m s c h o o l , th e v i c t i m w a s n e rv o u s an d r e m ai n e d o ut s i d e b e fo r e g o i n g i nt o h e r h o m e . 

### I d . at 8 2 - 8 3 . Wh e n s h e w e nt in s i d e , th e D e fe n d ant t o o k h e r t o hi s b e dr o o m an d h a d v a g in al int e rc o ur s e w i th h e r . 

### I

d . at 8 3 . T h e D e fe n d ant a g ai n ha d v a g i n al i nt e rc o ur s e wi th th e v i c ti m s h o rtl y a ft e r h e r s i xt e e nth b irth d ay . I d . at 8 5 - 8 6 . Th e e v i d e n c e d e m o n s tr at e d th e r e l ati o n s hip b e tw e e n th e D e fe n d ant an d th e vi c ti m : th e D e f e n d ant w a s a p arent , gu ar di an , o r o th e r a d u lt p e r s o n s u p e rv i s i n g th e w e l f

ar e o f th e c hi l d . T h e D e fe n d ant w a s i n hi s m i d - thi rti e s wh e n th e p hy s i c al ab u s e o c c urr e d . 

### I

d . at 4 8 . T h e v i c ti m ' s m o th e r t e s t ifi e d th at th e v i c ti m d i s c l o s e d t o h e r o n tw o o c c a s i o n s th at th e D e fe n d ant h a d a s k e d th e v i c ti m t o h av e s e x . I d . at 2 0 0 , 2 0 3 . H e r t e s ti m o ny c o rro b o r at e d th e v i c ti m ' s t e s ti m o ny th at th e v i c ti m w e nt o n a trip D i s n e y W o rl d trip an d w e nt c amp i n g wi th th e D e fe n d ant. 

### I

d . at 2 0 4 - 0 5 . S h e c o n fi rm e d th at th e r e w a s a trip to D i s n e y W o rl d wh e r e s h e di d n o t a c c o mp any th e D e fe n d ant , th e vi c t im , an d th e v i c ti m ' s b r o th e r s . 

### I d . at 2 0 8 . A ft e r th e v i c ti m di s c l o s e d th e ab u s e , th e D e fe n d ant a dm i tt e d t o th e v i c ti m ' s m o th e r th at " h e h a d b e e n fe e li n g gu i l ty fo r a wh il e b e c au s e h e di d h av e fe e l i n g s fo r [ th e v i c ti m ] . " 

### I d. at 2 2 3 . At o n e p o i nt th e D e fe n d ant arri v e d at th e v i c ti m ' s m o th e r ' s h o m e , " gr ab b e d a s uit c a s e , s t art e d thr o wi n g s tu ff i n i t , l au gh e d , an d s ai d , o h , wh at am I d o in g , I d o n ' t n e e d thi s , gr ab b e d a h an d gun an d a b o ttl e o f
· li qu o r? ' b e fo r e dri v i n g o ff in h i s tru c k . 

### I d . at 2 2 7 - 2 9 . T h e v i c ti m ' s m o th e r t e s ti fi e d th at th e r e 7w e r e ti m e s wh e r e s h e w i tn e s s e d th e D e fe n d ant an d th e v i c ti m " c u d dl i n g un d e r th e c o v e r s

t o g e th e r " an d w o u l d a s k th e m t o s t o p . 

### I d . at 2 4 2 . N o th i n g p r e s e nt e d at tri al d e m o n s tr at e d th at th e v i c ti m f a b ri c at e d h e r t e s ti m o ny . B a s e d o n th e t e s ti m o ny o fth e v i c ti m , th e r e w as s uffi c i e nt e v i d e n c e t o fi n d th e D e fe n d ant gu il ty o f e a c h o fth e c ri m e s c h arg e d . M o s t i mp o rt antly , th e t e s ti m o ny o f th e m i n o r v i c ti m d e m o n s tr at e d th at th e D e fe n d ant h a d s e xu al i nt e rc o ur s e w i th h e r b y fo rc ib l e c o mp u l s i o n o r thr e at o f fo r c ib l e c o mp u l s i o n th at w o u l d p r e v e nt r e s i s t an c e b y a p e r s o n o fre a s o n a b l e r e s o lut i o n o n tw o o c c a s i o n s . T h e e v i d e n c e al s o d e m o n s tr at e d th at th e D e fe n d ant c o mm i tt e d a g gr av at e d i n d e c e nt a s s aul t an d i n d e c e nt a s s aul t a g a i n s t th e v i c ti m o n num e r o u s o c c a s i o n s p ri o r t o h e r s i xt e e nth b i rth d ay , wi th o ut th e v i c ti m ' s c o n s e nt , an d b y fo r c ib l e c o mp u l s i o n o r thre at th e r e o f . T h e s e a c t i o n s o c c urr e d whi l e th e D e fe n d ant w a s i n hi s thi rti e s , an d whi l e h e w a s s u p e rvi s i n g th e w e l f

ar e o f th e v i c ti m . A s th e j ury w a s fr e e t o a c c ep t th e v i c ti m ' s t e s ti m o ny , n o thi n g ab o ut th e v e r d i c t s h o c k s o n e ' s s e n s e o f

j u s ti c e . F i n al l y , th e r e w a s n o e rr o r wh e r e th e C o urt di d n o t p e rmi t a j uro r , d uri n g cl o s i n g argum e nt , t o a s k a qu e s ti o n o f th e att o rn e y fo r th e D e fe n d ant. T h e j ur o r s w e r e i nf o rm e d th at th e y c o u l d s e e k a d d i ti o na l i n s tru c t i o n b y m aki n g a r e qu e s t thro u gh th e i r fo r ep e r s o n i n wri ti n g . F e b ru ary 2 7 , 2 0 1 8 N . T . , 1 9 0 .

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