Opinion ID: 1887725
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Testimony on possible sexual assault of Ascensio

Text: Appellant next raises five issues, all of which relate to testimony regarding possible sexual contact Noel Montalvo may have had with Ascensio during, and/or immediately after, the murder. Initially, Appellant argues that trial counsel failed to file a motion in limine to exclude all evidence of sexual activity. Next, he asserts that counsel was ineffective for failing to object to Dr. Funke's testimony during direct examination that she conducted a rape kit on Ascensio. Appellant also claims that counsel's line of questioning during cross-examination ultimately resulted in Dr. Funke's testifying on redirect that Ascensio could have been penetrated post-mortem. Appellant then asserts that counsel was ineffective for failing to object or move to strike and request a cautionary instruction for two aspects of Esther Soto's testimony: 1) her testimony that the prosecutor informed her that Noel Montalvo had sex with Ascensio after the murder; and 2) her testimony that she gave a statement in which she told police that Noel Montalvo said he had sex with Ascensio. Appellant's Brief at 24. Finally, Appellant contends that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object to portions of the tape recording of Soto's statement regarding Noel Montalvo's sexual activity with Ascensio. With regard to these claims, Appellant argues that trial counsel had no reasonable basis for his inaction. In response, the Commonwealth notes that this evidence did not implicate Appellant, only his brother Noel. Therefore, according to the Commonwealth, counsel's actions were consistent with Appellant's defense that Noel Montalvo had in fact committed the crimes. The trial court provides the same rationale in its post-evidentiary hearing opinion. We agree with the Commonwealth and the trial court. At the evidentiary hearing, trial counsel testified: [T]he thrust of the defense was that my client was innocent and that his evil, bastardly brother did this; and I believe there's some testimony somewhere else that the brother admitted to having sex with the victim. So, if that's the case, I would have to say if evidence came in about that, it was consistent with the defense that [Appellant] didn't do it, [Appellant] wasn't even there. N.T., 01/22/2004, P.M., 19-20. Because all of the testimony in question supported Appellant's defense that Noel Montalvo was the actual perpetrator, we find that trial counsel had a rational basis for not objecting to the testimony and was not ineffective.