Court Opinion

ID: 2734173
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-09-18 16:03:38.081537+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:59:56.916663
License: Public Domain

Cite as 2014 Ark. 381

                SUPREME COURT OF ARKANSAS
                                       No.   CR-13-721

RICHARD RALPH CONTE                               Opinion Delivered   September 18, 2014
                  APPELLANT
                                                  APPEAL FROM THE FAULKNER
V.                                                COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT
                                                  [NO. CR-11-1028]

STATE OF ARKANSAS                                 HONORABLE CHARLES E.
                                 APPELLEE         CLAWSON, JR., JUDGE

                                                  REMANDED TO SETTLE AND
                                                  SUPPLEMENT THE RECORD;
                                                  REBRIEFING ORDERED.

                                      PER CURIAM

       On January 22, 2013, appellant, Richard Ralph Conte, was convicted of two counts

of capital murder as well as firearm enhancements and sentenced to two life sentences. On

appeal, Conte presents the following points (1) the circuit court erred in denying Conte’s

motion to dismiss when it found that the State had a “satisfactory reason” for the nine-year

delay before filing charges; (2) the circuit court erred in not granting Conte’s motion for

directed verdict; (3) the circuit court’s grant of the State’s motion in limine was a violation

of Conte’s right to present a “complete defense” under both federal and state constitutional

guarantees of due process, confrontation, and compulsory process; (4) the circuit court abused

its discretion in finding that a kidnapping committed by Conte was relevant under Rule

404(b) of the Arkansas Rules of Evidence; and (5) the circuit court abused its discretion when

it overruled numerous objections, including objections that the introduction of the evidence
                                    Cite as 2014 Ark. 381

was more prejudicial than probative.

       We do not reach the merits of Conte’s arguments, however, because his brief does not

comply with Arkansas Supreme Court Rule 4-2(a)(8)(2014). Rule 4-2(a)(8)(A)(i) of the

Rules of the Supreme Court of Arkansas provides that the addendum shall contain true and

legible copies of the non-transcript documents in the record on appeal that are essential for

this court to confirm its jurisdiction, to understand the case, and to decide the issues on

appeal, including exhibits such as CDs and DVDs. In his first point on appeal, Conte

contends that the circuit court erred in denying his motion to dismiss. At the pretrial hearing

regarding his motion to dismiss, Conte introduced a June 26, 2002, recorded statement of

Conte in DVD format in support of his motion. The State also introduced the same recorded

statement on DVD in its case-in-chief and played the DVD for the jury. However, Conte’s

addendum does not include the DVD. Rule 4-2(a)(8)(A)(i) requires that the addendum

contain the DVDs if they are essential to our understanding of the case. The DVD is essential

to the understanding of this case and to this court’s ability to make a decision on the merits.

       Further, in the absence of a proper waiver, Administrative Order No. 4(a) imposes a

duty on the circuit court to require that a verbatim record be made of all proceedings

pertaining to any contested matter before the court or the jury. Ark. Sup. Ct. Admin. Order

No. 4(a) (2013). Here, there is no evidence of a waiver. Therefore, we remand this case to

the circuit court to settle the record by requiring that a verbatim transcription be made of any

audio recording that was played at trial. The record on appeal must be supplemented with

the transcript of the audio material within thirty days of this opinion’s date. Conte must then

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                                     Cite as 2014 Ark. 381

include, in his substituted brief, an abstract of the transcribed audio recordings.

        Before filing a substituted brief, we strongly encourage Conte to review our rules to

ensure that no additional deficiencies are present. After the record is settled and the

supplemental record has been filed in this court, Conte will have fifteen days to file a

substituted brief. Ark. Sup. Ct. R. 4-2(b)(3). The State may revise or substitute its brief

within fifteen days of the filing of Conte’s substituted brief, or it may rely on its previously

filed brief.

        Remanded to settle and supplement the record; rebriefing ordered.

        Benca & Benca, by: Patrick J. Benca, for appellant.

        Dustin McDaniel, Att’y Gen., by: Brad Newman, Ass’t Att’y Gen., for appellee.

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