Title: Foster v. State
Citation: N/A
Docket Number: 117, 2000
State: Delaware
Issuer: Delaware Supreme Court
Date: May 16, 2001

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
HENRY FOSTER,
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No. 117, 2000
Defendant Below,
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Appellant,
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v.
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Court Below: Superior Court
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of the State of Delaware
STATE OF DELAWARE,
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in and for New Castle County
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Cr.A. Nos. IN98-10-0862
Plaintiff Below,
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through IN98-10-0872 and
Appellee.
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IN98-10-0874
Submitted: February 27, 2001
Decided: May 16, 2001
Before VEASEY, Chief Justice, HOLLAND and BERGER, Justices.
O R D E R
This 16th day of May, 2001, upon consideration of the briefs of the parties,
it appears to the Court that:
1) Henry Foster was convicted, following a jury trial, on eleven counts of
unlawful sexual intercourse first degree and one count of unlawful sexual contact
second degree.  He appeals from the trial court’s decision denying his motion for
judgment of acquittal as to one count of unlawful sexual intercourse first degree.
2) The victim, Foster’s niece, was 15 years old when she reported to her
mother that she had sexual intercourse with Foster when she was 9 years old.  The
victim said that the assaults took place after school at her grandfather’s house
1 Williams v. State, Del. Supr., 539 A.2d 164 (1988).
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several times a week during the 1992-93 school year. Although she had given a
statement saying that the assaults took place for a year, she was more specific in her
trial testimony.  The victim stated that the assaults started at the beginning of the
school year and that there were no sexual assaults after the school year was over.
3) Based on this testimony, Foster moved for judgment of acquittal as to the
count alleging unlawful sexual intercourse during the period from July 1 and
July 15, 1993.  We conclude, from our review of the record, that Foster’s motion
should have been granted.  Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the
State, we find that there was insufficient evidence to support a finding of guilt in
light of the victim’s definite statement that no assaults took place after the school
year ended1.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the judgment of conviction as
to Count XIII of the indictment is REVERSED and this matter is REMANDED for
reimposition of sentence in accordance with this Order.
BY THE COURT:
/s/ Carolyn Berger
Justice