Court Opinion

ID: 1070090
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-10-09 19:37:01.726548+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:40:59.009936
License: Public Domain

COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA

Present:  Chief Judge Fitzpatrick, Judge Willis and
          Senior Judge Overton
Argued at Alexandria, Virginia

DANIEL LOUIS MONEYMAKER
                                          MEMORANDUM OPINION * BY
v.   Record No. 0641-00-4        CHIEF JUDGE JOHANNA L. FITZPATRICK
                                             JANUARY 23, 2001
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

               FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF PAGE COUNTY
                    John J. McGrath, Jr., Judge

           (Robert A. Downs, on brief), for appellant.
           Appellant submitting on brief.

           (Mark L. Earley, Attorney General; Marla
           Graff Decker, Assistant Attorney General, on
           brief), for appellee. Appellee submitting on
           brief.

     Daniel Louis Moneymaker (appellant) was convicted in a bench

trial of sexual penetration with an animate object by force,

threat or intimidation, in violation of Code § 18.2-67.2, and

attempted forcible sodomy, in violation of Code § 18.2-67.5. 1   On

     * Pursuant to Code § 17.1-413 this opinion is not
designated for publication.
     1
       The Court notes that the sentencing order indicates that
the appellant was found guilty of attempted forcible sodomy in
violation of Code § 18.2-67.1. However, as the appellant was
found guilty under Code § 18.2-67.5, this matter is remanded to
the trial court for the sole purpose of correcting that clerical
error to reflect that the appellant was convicted of attempted
forcible sodomy under Code § 18.2-67.5.
appeal, he contends the evidence was insufficient to prove his

guilt.   We disagree and affirm his convictions. 2

                           I.   Background

     When an accused challenges the sufficiency of the evidence on

appeal, we must examine the evidence in the light most favorable

to the Commonwealth, the prevailing party below, granting to that

evidence all reasonable inferences fairly deducible therefrom.

See Juares v. Commonwealth, 26 Va. App. 154, 156, 493 S.E.2d 677,

678 (1997).   So viewed, the evidence established that between May

22 and May 27, 1997, Jeffrey Carver (Carver) and appellant were

incarcerated in the Page County jail.    Appellant frequently

exposed himself to Carver and attacked him.    During these attacks,

appellant told Carver that "he was going to fuck [Carver] up the

ass" and "[y]ou're going to be my bitch."

     On May 26, during one such attack, Carver was being held down

when he "felt somebody stick their fingers up my butt."     Appellant

"had his hand up underneath my butt, like that.      And I was trying

to get up, and he was sticking me in the butt with his fingers."

Carver was unsure how far the finger went in but it was "[e]nough

to where it hurt."   Jason Campbell (Campbell), another inmate,

observed this attack and corroborated Carver's testimony regarding

appellant's actions and statements.     Based upon the totality of

the evidence, the trial court found appellant guilty as charged.

     2
       Appellant was also convicted of assault and battery.      He
does not challenge this conviction.

                                - 2 -
          II.    Sexual Penetration with an Animate Object

     Appellant alleges that the evidence was insufficient to

convict him of sexual penetration with an animate object.    In a

bench trial, it is within the province of the trial court "'to

assess the credibility of the witnesses and the probative value

to be given their testimony.'"     Mercer v. Commonwealth, 259 Va.

235, 242, 523 S.E.2d 213, 217 (2000) (quoting Richardson v.

Richardson, 242 Va. 242, 246, 409 S.E.2d 148, 151 (1991)).     "'On

review, this Court does not substitute its judgment for that of

the trier of fact.    Instead, the [verdict] will not be set aside

unless it appears that it is plainly wrong or without supporting

evidence.'"     Jett v. Commonwealth, 29 Va. App. 190, 194, 510

S.E.2d 747, 748 (1999) (quoting Canipe v. Commonwealth, 25 Va.

App. 629, 644, 491 S.E.2d 747, 754 (1997)).

     Code § 18.2-67.2 provides:

           An accused shall be guilty of inanimate or
           animate object sexual penetration if he or
           she penetrates the labia majora or anus of a
           complaining witness . . . [and] [t]he act is
           accomplished against the will of the
           complaining witness, by force, threat or
           intimidation of or against the complaining
           witness . . . .

(Emphasis added).    The Commonwealth bears the burden of proving

each of these elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt.

See Holz v. Commonwealth, 220 Va. 876, 880, 263 S.E.2d 426, 428

(1980).   The penetration need only be slight.    See Jett, 29 Va.

App. at 194, 510 S.E.2d at 749; see also Horton v. Commonwealth,

                                 - 3 -
255 Va. 606, 612, 499 S.E.2d 258, 261 (1998).     "A finger is an

animate object."    Bell v. Commonwealth, 22 Va. App. 93, 98, 468

S.E.2d 114, 117 (1996).

     In the instant case, Carver testified that appellant and

another inmate held him down.    As Carver struggled to get up, he

"felt somebody stick their fingers up my butt."   At that instant,

appellant "had his hand up underneath Carver's butt" and appellant

"was sticking [Carver] in the butt with his fingers."   Appellant's

penetration was enough to cause Carver pain.

     Appellant argues that Carver's testimony is inherently

incredible, or so contrary to human experience as to render it

unworthy of belief.   See Willis & Bell v. Commonwealth, 218 Va.

560, 563, 238 S.E.2d 811, 812-13 (1977).    However, Campbell also

observed the incident and corroborated Carver's testimony.    The

trial court believed the testimony of Carver and Campbell.

                   III.   Attempted Forcible Sodomy

     Appellant next contends that the evidence was insufficient

to convict him of attempted forcible sodomy.    It is well

established in Virginia that in order to establish an attempted

crime, the Commonwealth must prove "(1) the intent to commit it;

and (2) a direct ineffectual act done towards its commission." 3

     3
         Code § 18.2-67.1 provides:

                 An accused shall be guilty of forcible
            sodomy if he or she engages in cunnilingus,
            fellatio, anallingus, or anal intercourse
            with a complaining witness who is not his or

                                 - 4 -
Goodson v. Commonwealth, 22 Va. App. 61, 74, 467 S.E.2d 848, 855

(1996) (citations omitted).       Intent may be established by the

conduct or statements of the accused and may be proven by

circumstantial evidence.        Mickens v. Commonwealth, 247 Va. 395,

408, 442 S.E.2d 678, 687 (1994) (citing Barrett v. Commonwealth,

210 Va. 153, 156, 169 S.E.2d 449, 451 (1969)).           Although an

overt act is required to prove attempted offenses, it need not

be the last proximate act toward the completion of the

contemplated crime.     Id. at 408-09, 169 S.E.2d at 687.        However,

the act "must go beyond mere preparation and be done to produce

the intended result."     Tharrington v. Commonwealth, 2 Va. App.

491, 494, 346 S.E.2d 337, 339 (1986) (citations omitted).

"Whenever the design of a person to commit a crime is clearly

shown, slight acts done in furtherance of this design will

constitute an attempt."        Id. at 495, 346 S.E.2d at 341.

     In the instant case, the evidence established the requisite

elements of attempted forcible sodomy.          Appellant told Carver

"[y]ou're going to be my bitch," and previously stated that "he

was going to fuck [Carver] up the ass," while rubbing his penis on

          her spouse, or causes a complaining witness,
          whether or not his or her spouse to engage
          in such acts with any other person, and

          *      *         *        *       *        *       *

          (2) The act is accomplished against the
          will of the complaining witness, by force,
          threat or intimidation of or against the
          complaining witness.

                                    - 5 -
the victim.   These statements sufficiently established appellant's

intent to commit forcible sodomy.   Appellant's conduct constituted

the requisite act as he held Carver down against his will,

stripped Carver's pants and combined with appellant's prior

actions and statements were adequate to support the trial court's

determination that appellant committed attempted forcible sodomy.

Accordingly, we hold that the evidence was sufficient to sustain

appellant's convictions of sexual penetration with an animate

object and attempted forcible sodomy and affirm the trial court's

decision.

                                                    Affirmed.

                               - 6 -