Opinion ID: 2104779
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Denial of a New Trial in Respect to Counts 1 and 4

Text: The defendant argues that although testimony may have been adduced that was sufficient to sustain count 1 as against a motion for judgment of acquittal, the trial justice erred in denying the motion for new trial in regard to both counts 1 and 4. This argument is based upon the undisputed fact that Beth had told a number of people that her father had not assaulted her. Among these people were Karen DeOrcey, a DCF worker, Attorney Terrance Donley, and her sisters, Donna and Hopey. She told a physician who examined her that defendant had never penetrated her (although she claimed later that she thought this question referred to penile intercourse). She also wrote to her father recanting the allegations. During her testimony Beth explained these inconsistent statements by saying that her two sisters Donna and Hopey had placed great pressure upon her not to testify against their father. The trial justice specifically considered these recantations and in respect thereto delivered the following comments: The Court had an opportunity to observe the demeanor of this young lady, [Beth], and the Court was fairly convinced that she was under substantial trauma, mental strain. She had no motive to come into this courtroom to hurt her father, who in fact she said she still loved   . In the end she felt compelled to come in here, and I considered then and I consider now, she told the truth during the trial   . When she was asked, do you know what the doctor meant when he had asked you if you were ever penetrated, do you know what he meant by that?    She said yes, I know. That question involved an issue as to whether or not the Defendant ever put his penis into her. She never said that. She was candid and she said no   . [T]here were some pictures that were introduced showing that she did spend time with her father, that she had visited and went to the Bowl-A-Rama. I make a note too that Donna had taken these pictures. Of course Donna and Hope, two siblings, obviously, from the testimony of [Beth], and as well as to some extent [Doris], it was clear that they were upset over this proceeding and would well have preferred that [Beth] and [Doris] not pursue it. There is an adequate explanation   . Unlike some of these similar cases where the juries have discerned by determining a motive of vindication, or retaliation, or sometimes, as in the case where an element enters where the person fantasizes, clearly there was none of this in this trial. The Court was convinced with the candor and honesty of the testimony and the adequacy of the specificity required under law. In summary the trial justice, after considering the evidence together with the recantations, found Beth's testimony to be convincing and credible. It is well settled in this state that a ruling by a trial justice on a motion for new trial is entitled to great weight, and when the trial justice has carefully reviewed the evidence, his or her determination will be set aside on review only if he or she overlooks or misconceives material evidence or is otherwise clearly wrong. State v. Dame, 560 A.2d 330 (R.I. 1989); State v. Henshaw, 557 A.2d 1204 (R.I. 1989). In the case at bar the trial justice obviously considered all the relevant and material evidence, including the recantations. After having analyzed the evidence and drawn reasonable inferences therefrom, he concluded that Beth's testimony at trial was credible and that her recantations were not credible. In so finding we cannot say that he was clearly wrong.