Opinion ID: 1403389
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Subjective Impressions

Text: For his final argument, while somewhat unclear, Parkman appears to challenge the fact that certain impressions, he claims to be improper and subjective, were used in calculating his assessment level. He claims that these impressions were used to assess him at a higher level, rather than as a low or moderaterisk offender. At the same time, Parkman admits that it is unclear whether [these observations] were relied on by the Committee because there is no indication from the Findings that the Committee, as opposed to one member thereof, ever looked at it in the 2007 adjudication. Admittedly, we are somewhat perplexed by Parkman's argument due to its lack of clarity. However, to the extent that Parkman's argument can be taken that he was improperly classified as a level four offender based upon improper subjective impressions of his demeanor, his argument is without merit. Here, the Background Information section of Parkman's Risk Assessment and Offender Profile Report provided that John Parkman is a 52-year-old Caucasian male. He was convicted of Sexual Abuse-1st Degree and Burglary-2 Counts on 5/6/85. Documentation indicates this offender broke into the residence of an adult female stranger, raped her and stole money from her. The second count of Burglary had been first adjudicated on 4/23/85. Apparently this offender changed his plea from not guilty to guilty and this conviction was then adjudicated with his target offense. Other documented criminal convictions include Burglary of Habitation with Intent to Commit Rape (3/31/80). In this offense he broke into a pregnant adult female's residence and raped her. [14] In addition, the Summary of Interview and other Findings section provided as follows, including just one sentence, among the fifteen within the section, regarding Parkman's demeanor during the assessment process: This offender was interviewed on 1/11/06. His interviewer reported that he presented himself as generally forthcoming and revealed some important aspects of his offenses. He initially minimized his offenses and blamed his abuse of alcohol. He smiled and laughed during his interview and appeared to enjoy discussing his attacks. He later changed his story and admitted he broke into many houses to rape women, first admitting he had done this 6 times, then he increased that number to 8 and admitted he had forced girlfriends to have sex as well. He described having had thoughts and fantasies of rape beginning at 30, admitted he committed numerous rapes until he was 40. He claimed these rapes were the result of his rage toward women and desire to punish them. He admitted he has also used alcohol with women to disadvantage them and have sex with them. He showed more concern for the practical consequences of his misconduct to himself as opposed to genuine remorse for the wrongfulness of his behavior or the impact of his abuse on his victims. He described himself as lacking a conscience in the past, yet tried to make the point that this was no longer the case. This offender was charged in two cases with Burglary, Rape and Robbery in 1993 involving his attack of two adult female strangers in their homes. These cases were dismissed on 11/02/95 because this offender was not given a speedy trial. Documentation indicates both victims identified this offender as their attacker. A third female reported she was raped on 10/19/93 and picked this offender from a group of photos. There are no other records on these rapes. (Emphasis added.) The Report then concluded: Factors Justifying the Community's Need to Know: This offender has multiple adult female victims of rape for whom he was charged and convicted and others for whom he was charged but not convicted due to lack of a speedy trial. He admits he has forced women known to him to engage in sex against their will and that he has given other women alcohol to disadvantage them to the point they could not resist his assaults. It is likely he has other, undetected victims of rape. His history of violence, especially toward women, is likely more extensive than his official record reflects. He reports he has completed a sex offender treatment program. He is not engaged in aftercare. On October 30, 2006 the Sex Offender Assessment Committee reviewed this case file and voted to assess this offender at Level 4 to permit the broadest and most visible means of community notification. Community Impact Risk: 4 In its findings of fact and conclusions of law upon administrative review, the Committee specifically found that the documents it received pursuant to Ark.Code Ann. § 12-12-917(c) reflected: a) There are multiple victims. The Petitioner was convicted of Burglary and Sexual Abuse in the First Degree on May 6, 1[9]85 in the Circuit Court of Pulaski County, Arkansas. CR 84-3137. b) The Amended Felony Information in CR 84-3137 indicates that on or about the 18th day of July 1984, the Petitioner did feloniously engage in deviate sexual activity with an adult female by forcible compulsion. c) On July 3, 1980 in Texas, the Petitioner was sentenced to not less than 5 years nor more than 15 for burglary of a habitation with intent to commit rape. d) The official version of the crime resulting in the 5 years nor more than 15 year sentence in Texas indicates that the Petitioner raped a female that was seven months pregnant while holding a pillow over her head. e) The Petitioner in 1995 was the defendant in two criminal cases that were dismissed by Judge John B. Plegge for failure to provide a speedy trial. The case numbers in these cases were CR 93-2782 and CR 93-2942. Both cases were in Seventh Division of Circuit Court in Pulaski County. f) According to the case report for case number 93-2782, the Petitioner on June 10, 1993 forced an adult female to have sex with him after holding a knife to her throat. g) According to the Crime Scene Search Unit Work List, in connection with case number 93-2942, the Petitioner on January 5, 1993 forced an adult female to perform oral sex on him after which he put his penis and finger in her vagina. h) Interview conducted by SOSRA on November 11, 2006, revealed: i) Petitioner admitted to breaking into many houses to rape women. ii) Petitioner admitted he forced girlfriends to have sex with him. iii) Petitioner admitted to having committed numerous rapes by the time he reached the age of 40. iv) Petitioner claimed that the rapes were the result of alcohol abuse and his rage toward women and a desire to punish them. v) Petitioner admitted to using alcohol with women in an effort to take advantage of them. The Committee then upheld Parkman's assessment of level four. First, it should be noted that Parkman has failed to point this court to any authority for the proposition that it was improper for the Committee to consider his demeanor during the assessment process in calculating his assessment level. Nonetheless, it is evident from reviewing the record, as well as Parkman's Risk Assessment and Offender Profile Report, as set forth in pertinent part above, and the findings of fact and conclusions of law upon administrative review, that the Committee in no way based Parkman's classification as a level four offender improperly upon his demeanor. Parkman was convicted of two separate sexual assaults on two separate women, each in her own home. In addition, he had been identified in two other rape cases, with the charges only being dismissed due to the lack of speedy trial. Further, Parkman himself admitted that he had been involved in forced sex acts anywhere from six to eight times; that because he was a plumber, he was able to obtain women's addresses from them after meeting them by discussing plumbing issues; that when he would drink, he thought about raping; that he could not stand rejection and raping made him feel better; and that his motives for rape were power and control, evoking fear, and expressing anger. In addition, Parkman was given a diagnostic impression of Paraphilia NOS (non-consent). With all of this in mind, we cannot say that the Committee improperly assessed Parkman based on any alleged improper subjective impressions, and we hold that substantial evidence existed to support the Committee's assessment of Parkman as a level four offender. Because substantial evidence existed to support the Committee's assessment, it automatically follows that its assessment cannot be classified as unreasonable or arbitrary. See, e.g., Collie v. Arkansas State Med. Bd., 370 Ark. 180, 258 S.W.3d 367 (2007). For all of the foregoing reasons, we affirm. IMBER, J., not participating.