Court Opinion

ID: 4699492
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-06-29 15:16:51.954577+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:06:03.330589
License: Public Domain

June 29, 2021

                                                          Supreme Court

                                                         No. 2019-196-C.A.
                                                         (P1/16-2067A)
                                                   (Concurrence begins on page 15)

                State                   :

                  v.                    :

            Carlos Rivera.              :

            NOTICE: This opinion is subject to formal revision before
            publication in the Rhode Island Reporter. Readers are requested to
            notify the Opinion Analyst, Supreme Court of Rhode Islan d, 250
            Benefit Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02903, at Telephone
            (401) 222-3258 or Email: opinionanalyst@courts.ri.gov, of an y
            typographical or other formal errors in order that corrections m ay
            be made before the opinion is published.
                                                            Supreme Court

                                                          No. 2019-196-C.A.
                                                          (P1/16-2067A)
                                                    (Concurrence begins on page 15)

                State                    :

                  v.                     :

           Carlos Rivera.                :

      Present: Suttell, C.J., Goldberg, Robinson, Lynch Prata, and Long, JJ.

                                   OPINION

      Justice Lynch Prata, for the Court. The defendant, Carlos Rivera, appeals

from an October 15, 2018 judgment of conviction and commitment entered against

him in the Providence County Superior Court on one cou nt of first -degree child

molestation sexual assault and two counts of second-degree child molestation

sexual assault. The defendant’s sole contention on appeal is th at t he t rial ju stice

erred by unfairly limiting the testimony of a defen se wit ness, t hereby violating

defendant’s constitutional right to present a full and fair defense. For t he reasons

set forth in this opinion, we affirm the judgment of the Superior Court.

                                         -1-
                                 Facts and Travel

      This case was initiated by the allegations of the complaining witness,

Allison,1 that defendant, her step-grandfather, had sexually molested her on

multiple occasions between July 18, 2013, and July 17, 2015. On Ju ly 8, 2016,

defendant was indicted by a grand jury on the following counts, all relating to

Allison, who was fourteen years of age or younger when the alleged incidents

occurred: sexual penetration, to wit, penile/vaginal penetration (count one); sexual

contact, to wit, hand to breast (count two); sexual contact, to wit, hand to bu ttocks

(count three); and sexual contact, to wit, hand to vaginal area (count four).

      In June 2018, a jury trial was held in the Superior Court. Prior t o t rial, t he

state moved in limine to preclude any reference at trial to the immigration status of

any of the witnesses (including defendant) or concerning immigration proceedings

relative to any of the witnesses.2 At the hearing, the state argued that such

references would be irrelevant to the instant case. The state further explained that,

if such references were permitted, the trial would “turn in to a m in i immigration

proceeding regarding the status of [defendant]” and would potentially “play[] upon

any sympathies of the jury.” The state also contended that, based on t he m inimal

1
  The complaining witness was a minor when the alleged acts of molestation
occurred; accordingly, we will use the pseudonym “Allison” to refer to her.
2
  Although several different pretrial motions were presented to the trial justice, t he
pretrial motion with respect to the immigration status of the witnesses is t h e on ly
issue that has been pressed on appeal.

                                         -2-
documentation as to defendant’s immigration proceedings provided t o t he st ate,

any purported proceedings were “far attenuat[ed] from this case[.]”

      Defense counsel responded that the “immigration st atus an d proceedings

* * * form the genesis of the[] allegations against [defendant].” He asserted that he

should be allowed to question Allison about whether she was aware of the

immigration proceedings that involved both defendant and her grandmother,

Amanda DeLeone, which proceedings had taken place just three weeks before

Allison made her accusation of sexual molestation against defendant. Defen se

counsel added that the purpose of such questioning would not be to in t roduce t he

contents of those proceedings, but rather simply to use the existence of those

proceedings and the events that occurred thereafter to demonstrate Allison’s

knowledge of “how Ms. DeLeone perceived those events * * * [an d] h er st ate of

mind after those events”—particularly with respect to Ms. DeLeone’s feelings

toward defendant. Defense counsel added that to deny defendant the opportunity

to question Allison as to her knowledge about the immigration proceedings “would

be to deny a fundamental right of cross-examination.”

      The trial justice ruled that he would permit defense counsel to cross-examine

Allison on “foundational question[s]”—namely, wh ether sh e was aware of t h e

immigration proceedings in which Ms. DeLeone and defendant h ad participated.

Defense counsel replied to the trial justice that, if Allison “is n ot aware of an y of

                                         -3-
these proceedings, and does say no, that would be the end of it.” The t rial ju stice

added that he would postpone ruling on the motion in limine as it pert ain ed t o t he

testimony of a particular defense witness—Allison’s aunt, Jackelyn Rivera3—until

the conclusion of the state’s case. Allison then began her testimony.

      On direct examination, Allison testified that, at the time of t h e in cidents at

issue, she was eleven or twelve years old and she lived in Central Falls, Rhode

Island. She stated that she lived there with h er m other, h er younger sist er, h er

grandmother (Ms. DeLeone), and defendant, who was at that time married t o Ms.

DeLeone.4

      Allison testified that, on a typical afternoon when she was eleven or t welve

years old, she would return home from school, eat a snack in the kitchen, an d t hen

would make her way to the bedroom “because there [were] t oys t here.” Allison

stated that, on one occasion, defendant, who had also been in the kitchen, followed

her into the bedroom. She testified that, once inside the bedroom, defendant

engaged in sexual intercourse with her. She added: “He told me * * * what he was

going to do is normal and * * * to not say anything.” She stated that, although sh e

told him to stop, she did not yell for anyone because she was scared.

3
  For the sake of clarity, we shall hereafter refer to Jackelyn Rivera sim ply by h er
first name. We intend no disrespect.
4
  Allison also testified that Jackelyn sometimes lived at t he Central Falls h ome
with them.

                                         -4-
      Allison testified that defendant had sexually assaulted her “[s]ix times,

seven[,]” and she testified as to what had taken place during some of those

incidents. She added that, on at least one other occasion, defendant told her n ot t o

tell anyone. Allison stated that, despite defendant’s adm onitions, wh en sh e was

thirteen years old, she told her younger sister and her pediatrician about what

defendant had done to her.5          Allison testified that, after speaking to her

pediatrician, she spoke to “[a] lot of people[,]” in cluding representatives of t h e

Department of Children, Youth, and Families; officers from the police department;

and several medical professionals.

      During cross-examination, Allison testified about her relationship wit h h er

grandmother, Ms. DeLeone. She stated that she was “not really close t o h er” an d

that, even though her grandmother “took care of” her, they “never really t alked.”

Her testimony consisted of the following:

             “[DEFENSE COUNSEL:] Do you remember a time t hat
             your grandmother was mad at Carlos because of some
             issues regarding her ability to live here?
             “[THE WITNESS:] No.
             “[DEFENSE COUNSEL:] Do you remember she went
             up to * * * Boston at one time and they told her she
             would have to leave the country?
             “[THE WITNESS:] No.

5
  Allison testified that, although she did not discuss with her mother what
defendant had done to her, she did tell her mother, one week before sh e t old h er
pediatrician about defendant, about instances of criminal sexual con duct against
her in which her father had allegedly engaged. Allison added that h er m other did
not believe her.

                                         -5-
            “[DEFENSE COUNSEL:] You don’t remember that?
            “[THE WITNESS:] No.”

      At the conclusion of the state’s case-in-chief, the trial justice, adhering to his

previously stated intention, revisited the state’s original motion in limine, wh ich

had sought to preclude any references to the immigration status of any of the

witnesses, now focusing on the motion solely as it pertained to the proposed

testimony of Jackelyn, a defense witness, who was the daughter of defen dant an d

Ms. DeLeone.

      In arguing against the state’s motion, defense counsel made an offer of proof

as to the testimony he expected to elicit from Jackelyn. He st ated t hat Jackelyn

would testify that she had lived with Ms. DeLeone, Allison’s mother, and Allison

for a number of years, during which time Ms. DeLeone freely discussed her

immigration status. Defense counsel further stated that Jackelyn would testify that,

on January 26, 2016, she and Ms. DeLeone had gone to Boston and, on t hat dat e,

Ms. DeLeone received updated information as to the status of certain immigration

proceedings that involved her.6

      During defense counsel’s argument, the trial justice inquired as follows:

            “While I understand you can bring up information of
            bias, prejudice, other types of motive, the only way under
            our rules you can do that is if it’s evidence that is

6
 The defendant also participated in immigration proceedings in Boston on January
26, 2016, but he did not travel there with Ms. DeLeone. They had been divorced
well before that date.

                                         -6-
             admissible to go before the jury. * * * What is the
             exception to the hearsay rule that a witness that you
             would call would be able to testify about som ething sh e
             heard some other family member say that wasn’t the
             [d]efendant?”

Defense counsel contended that Jackelyn would testify as to Ms. DeLeon e’s st ate

of mind that she “was upset about the outcome of t h ose proceedings” and t hat,

during the car ride home from Boston, she “blamed [defendant] for the handling of

those [immigration] proceedings.” Defense counsel indicated that Jackelyn wou ld

testify that Ms. DeLeone spoke freely in her home about her im migration st atus.

He argued that, if allowed to hear this testimony, the jury cou ld consider it t o be

circumstantial evidence of “a motive for [Allison] to fabricate these

allegations * * * merely three weeks after” the immigration proceedings had t aken

place. Defense counsel added that, because the proposed testimony “goes t o t he

basis of why [Allison] would fabricate the allegations against [defendant,]” said

testimony was “key and central” to the defense’s theory of the case. Defense

counsel further argued that “a motive to fabricate is always relevant as discrediting

the witness or affecting the weight of his or her testimony.”

      The state argued that, because none of the information concerning the

immigration proceedings was relevant to the case at hand, Jackelyn should be

precluded from making any references to the immigration status of any of the

witnesses or to the immigration proceedings in general. The state further

                                        -7-
paraphrased the language of Rule 602 of the Rhode Island Rules of Evidence when

he stated: “[A] witness cannot testify to any matter unless evidence is in t roduced

sufficient to support a finding that the witness had personal knowledge of the

matter.” The state argued that, because there was no eviden ce t hat Jackelyn h ad

any personal knowledge as to whether Allison knew about “any immigration

proceedings or anything that was going on at that time for her grandmother * * * or

the [d]efendant,” she should not be permitted to testify about what Allison m ight

have known about such proceedings.

      In partially granting the state’s motion in limine with respect t o Jackelyn’s

testimony, the trial justice stated:

                    “This is a very different situation. Now the
             [s]tate’s case is over. This is a witn ess being called by
             the [d]efendant. That the proffer is that * * * —this
             witness for the [d]efendant is going t o raise an issu e of
             somehow bias or motivation for the complaining witness
             to be untruthful, again understanding that the
             complaining witness has already denied an y knowledge
             of it. But, more importantly, what has been proffered at
             this point in order to raise evidence before the jury, there
             needs to be admissible evidence which is an exception to
             the hearsay rule. While I understand counsel makes a
             very artful argument that well, the information should be
             considered by the jury, not for the truth of the matter
             asserted, which basically means they’re not going to
             consider it for what it actually says, but maybe the results
             of what it says.

                   “The Court finds that does not rise t o t h e level of
             admissible evidence before the ju ry t hat can m ake t his
             determination.” (Emphasis added.)

                                        -8-
       Having addressed the threshold question of the admissibility of Jackelyn ’s

proposed testimony concerning the immigration proceedings—and con cluding it

was not admissible—the trial justice allowed Jackelyn to begin her testimony. She

testified that she was the only child born of t h e m arriage of defen dant an d Ms.

DeLeone. She stated that, for a number of years before her paren t s’ divorce, sh e

had lived at the Central Falls home with her parents an d h er brot her. Jackelyn

testified that her father moved out of the home in February 2015 and that she

moved out in March 2015; she moved back in 2017 an d was livin g t h ere at t he

time of trial.

       Jackelyn also testified about the events that occurred on January 26, 2016, in

Boston and while en route back to Rhode Island. Jackelyn t estified t hat, on t hat

day, her mother told her that she was upset with someone; however, the trial justice

would not permit Jackelyn to name that person.

       In the end, the jury found defendant guilty on counts on e, t wo, an d t hree. 7

The defendant was thereafter sentenced to fifty years’ imprisonment, with t hirty

years to serve and twenty years suspended, with probation, on count on e; t wenty

years in prison, with twelve years to serve and eight years suspended, with

probation, on count two (concurrent with counts one and three); and t wenty years

7
 At the close of the state’s case, defense counsel moved for a judgment of acquittal
on all four counts. That motion was denied with respect to the first t hree counts;
however, pursuant to an agreement between the parties, count four was dismissed.

                                         -9-
in prison, with twelve years to serve with eight years suspended, with probation, on

count three (concurrent with counts one and two). The defendant moved for a new

trial on the ground that the evidence presented to the jury was insufficient to

sustain a conviction on all three counts. That motion was den ied, an d defendant

thereafter timely filed a notice of appeal to this Court.

                                Standard of Review

      When a defendant claims that his constitutional righ t t o present a defen se

was violated, “we engage in a de novo review.” State v. Lopez, 943 A.2d 1035,

1041 (R.I. 2008); see State v. Albanese, 970 A.2d 1215, 1222 (R.I. 2009).

Additionally, “[t]his Court reviews evidentiary rulings under an abuse of discretion

standard.” State v. Jones, 242 A.3d 47, 51 (R.I. 2020) (quoting State v. Whitfield,

93 A.3d 1011, 1016 (R.I. 2014)). “We will reverse a trial ju st ice’s ru ling on t he

admissibility of evidence only where ‘it constitutes a clear abuse of discret ion.’”

State v. Covington, 69 A.3d 855, 862 (R.I. 2013) (quoting State v. Brown, 42 A.3d

1239, 1242 (R.I. 2012)); see State v. Smith, 39 A.3d 669, 673 (R.I. 2012).

“Furthermore, we are disinclined to perceive an abuse of discretion so lon g as t h e

record contains some grounds for supporting the trial justice’s decision * * *.” Ims

v. Town of Portsmouth, 32 A.3d 914, 926 (R.I. 2011) (brackets omitted) (qu oting

State v. Pitts, 990 A.2d 185, 189-90 (R.I. 2010)).

                                        - 10 -
                                     Discussion

      On appeal, defendant argues that “the trial justice denied defendant his

constitutional right to present a full and fair defense by unfairly limiting the

introduction of testimony of a defense witness.” He specifically avers that, by n ot

allowing Jackelyn to testify as to what occu rred on t he day of t h e im migration

proceedings and thereafter, the trial justice thwarted counsel’s efforts to strengthen

the defense’s theory “that [Allison], who had been molested by h er fat h er years

before, later decided to point the finger at the man responsible for her

grandmother’s deportation troubles.” The defendant further contends that the “trial

justice mistakenly viewed the proffered evidence as hearsay[,]” when it was

instead being offered “to demonstrate [Allison’s] grandmother’s state of mind after

the hearing as well as her perception that her plight was the fault of [defendant].”

      This Court has explicitly recognized the principle that “[u]nder the

Compulsory Process Clause of the Sixth Amendment of the United States

Constitution, the criminal defendant has the right to present his own witnesses t o

establish a defense.” State v. Bowling, 585 A.2d 1181, 1185 (R.I. 1991) (citing

Washington v. Texas, 388 U.S. 14, 19 (1967)). However, we have also clearly

stated that “it is axiomatic that a defendant has no right to introduce evidence t hat

is inadmissible under our well-developed rules of evidence.” State v. Scanlon, 982

A.2d 1268, 1274 n.10 (R.I. 2009); see United States v. Pires, 642 F.3d 1, 13 (1st

                                        - 11 -
Cir. 2011) (“[T]he right to present a defense does not trump valid rules of

evidence.”).

      We first point out that, although the trial justice did not permit any

references to be made to the immigration status of any of t h e wit nesses or t o t h e

January 26, 2016 immigration proceedings in general terms, he did permit the

introduction of some evidence about what happened on that day.                     More

specifically, the trial justice stated that the fact that h e su bstantially granted t he

state’s motion in limine did not preclude Jackelyn from “talking about observations

as far as physical appearance, observation of anger, things along those lines”

caused by the events of January 26, 2016. Accordingly, while Jackelyn did n ot

testify at great length concerning the immigration proceedings, she was, contrary to

defendant’s assertion, permitted to testify more generally about her observations on

that day.

      We turn next to defendant’s contentions with respect to h earsay. We h ave

explained that “[h]earsay is ‘a statement, other t han one m ade by t h e declarant

while testifying at the trial or hearing, offered in evidence to prove the truth of t h e

matter asserted.’” State v. Oliveira, 961 A.2d 299, 314 (R.I. 2008) (quoting R.I. R.

Evid. 801(c)); see State v. Brash, 512 A.2d 1375, 1379 (R.I. 1986). “Hearsay is not

admissible except as provided by law.” Oliveira, 961 A.2d at 314 (cit in g R.I. R.

Evid. 802). Hearsay is generally admissible only if it falls within one of the

                                         - 12 -
delineated exceptions to the hearsay rule. See R.I. R. Evid. 803; see also State v.

Bergevine, 942 A.2d 974, 978 (R.I. 2008) (“The rationale for exceptions to the rule

against hearsay is that some statements, notwithstanding their n ature as h earsay,

possess ‘sufficient circumstantial guarantees of t ru stworthiness so as t o ju st ify

admission of the statement even though the declarant is available an d cou ld be

called to testify.’”) (quoting Rule 803 Advisory Committee’s Note).

      The defendant’s offer of proof indicated that Jackelyn would testify that, on

January 26, 2016, she and Ms. DeLeone had gone to Boston and, on that date, Ms.

DeLeone received updated information as to the status of her immigration

proceedings. It was further represented that Jackelyn would testify that Ms.

DeLeone “was upset about the outcome of those proceedings” and that, during t he

car ride home from Boston, she “blamed [defendant] for t h e h andling of t h ose

[immigration] proceedings.” Lastly, defendant indicated t hat, at t hat t ime, i.e.,

January 26, 2016, Allison lived with Ms. DeLeone and “they still talked freely

about [Ms.] DeLeone’s immigration status and proceedings[.]”8 The defendant

maintained that, if the jury were “allowed to hear this evidence, [it] would be able

8
 It is not clear from defendant’s offer of proof that Jackelyn would testify that Ms.
DeLeone’s anger toward defendant over her immigration status was openly
discussed in the Central Falls home on or after the hearing in Bost on on Jan uary
26, 2016. Jackelyn previously testified that sh e h ad m oved out of t h e h ome in
March 2015.

                                        - 13 -
to maybe use that circumstantial evidence to potentially as a motive for [Allison] to

fabricate these allegations a mere[] three weeks after this event.”

      It is not entirely clear from the offer of proof what exactly Jackelyn wou ld

have testified Ms. DeLeone said to her on the day in question. However, it is

logical to infer that Jackelyn’s testimony would have been hearsay an d t herefore

inadmissible, including, for example, Ms. DeLeone’s conversation with her

recounting what immigration officials in Boston said about Ms. DeLeone’s an d/or

defendant’s immigration case. It would not have been permissible for Jackelyn t o

relate what Ms. DeLeone said without it being established that t he t estimony fell

within one of the exceptions to the hearsay rule. See R.I. R. Evid. 803; Oliveira,

961 A.2d at 314.

      However, defense counsel did not allege that the testimony at issue fell

within any of the delineated exceptions to the hearsay rule; rather, h e con tended

that none of Jackelyn’s testimony would be hearsay because it was not admitted for

the truth of the matter asserted. In this Court’s opinion, that contention was

misguided. As we have just stated, it is clear to this Court that at least some

portion of Jackelyn’s testimony as to what Ms. DeLeone said wou ld h ave been

admitted for the truth of the matter asserted. As defendant failed t o specify wh at

exceptions to the hearsay rule might apply to the proffered testimony, we can n ot

say that the trial justice abused his discretion in excluding the entirety of

                                        - 14 -
Jackelyn’s testimony in this regard. Therefore, we are of the decided opinion t hat,

as to that portion of Jackelyn’s testimony that would have constituted

impermissible hearsay, the trial justice acted appropriately in excluding that

testimony. See Oliveira, 961 A.2d at 314.

      Accordingly, we conclude that the trial justice did not err in excluding much

of Jackelyn’s proposed testimony.

                                    Conclusion

      For the reasons set forth in this opinion, we affirm the judgment of the

Superior Court. The record may be returned to that tribunal.

      Justice Robinson, concurring. While I unhesitatingly concur in t he result

reached at the conclusion of the majority’s opinion, and wh ile I am n ot wit hout

respect for the majority’s quest for the best analytical path to take in dealing wit h

this vexing case, I find myself unable to join the majority on its chosen path. It is

my conviction, after long reflection, that this case is best analyzed in terms of Rule

602 of the Rhode Island Rules of Evidence.

      It will be recalled that, in the course of contending that th e trial justice

should not permit Jackelyn Rivera to testify about the immigration proceedings or

Amanda DeLeone’s reaction to those proceedings, the prosecutor recited virtually

verbatim the following language from Rule 602: “A witness m ay n ot t estify t o a

                                        - 15 -
matter unless evidence is introduced sufficient to support a finding that the witness

has personal knowledge of the matter.” The prosecutor argued that, because t here

was no evidence that Jackelyn had any personal knowledge as t o wh ether or n ot

Allison knew about “any immigration proceedings or anything that was going on at

that time for her grandmother * * * or the Defendant,” she should not be permitted

to testify about what Allison might have known about such proceedings. To m y

mind, it is significant that no evidence was presented that Jackelyn ever wit nessed

Ms. DeLeone discussing the immigration issue in Allison’s presence. In fact,

Jackelyn would have testified that the specific conversation she had with Ms.

DeLeone, during which Ms. DeLeone indicated that she was upset with someone,

took place in the car on the return trip from Boston; and she testified that t he on ly

other person present in the car was Ms. DeLeone’s n ew h usband. Furthermore,

given Jackelyn’s testimony indicating that she was no longer living at the h ome in

Central Falls in which Allison lived as of the time of the immigration proceedings,

there is no evidence to support an inference that she may have overheard sim ilar

conversations taking place in the home in Allison’s presence.

      Therefore, it is clear to me that there is insufficient evidence t o sh ow t hat

Jackelyn had any knowledge about what Allison may or may not have known

concerning the immigration proceedings. In my judgment, Rule 602 of t h e Ru les

of Evidence constituted an insuperable obstacle to su ch t estimony by Jackelyn.

                                        - 16 -
See State v. Ranieri, 586 A.2d 1094, 1098 (R.I. 1991) (“In deciding whether a

witness is competent for purposes of Rule 602, t h e t rial ju stice m ust det ermine

whether a witness had a sufficient opportunity to perceive the subject matter about

which he [or she] is testifying.”) (citing Hallquist v. Local 276, Plumbers and

Pipefitters Union, AFL-CIO, 843 F.2d 18, 24 (1st Cir. 1988) and 3 J. Wein stein &

M. Bergen, Weinstein’s Evidence ¶ 602[02] at 602-12 (M.B. 1988)); see also State

v. Reyes, 984 A.2d 606, 614 n.8 (R.I. 2009); see generally 98 C.J.S. Witnesses § 93

(June 2021 Update). Accordingly, I conclude that the trial justice did not deny t he

defendant his constitutional right to present a full and fair defense by lim iting t he

scope of Jackelyn’s testimony.

      For the reasons set forth in this opinion, I respectfully concur in the

majority’s conclusion, but I am of the view that a different basis for reach ing t hat

conclusion is more appropriate.

                                        - 17 -
                                                  STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
                                        SUPREME COURT – CLERK’S OFFICE
                                              Licht Judicial Complex
                                                250 Benefit Street
                                              Providence, RI 02903

                                 OPINION COVER SHEET

Title of Case                        State v. Carlos Rivera.

                                     No. 2019-196-C.A.
Case Number
                                     (P1/16-2067A)

Date Opinion Filed                   June 29, 2021

                                     Suttell, C.J., Goldberg, Robinson, Lynch Prata, and
Justices
                                     Long, JJ.

Written By                           Associate Justice Erin Lynch Prata

Source of Appeal                     Providence County Superior Court

Judicial Officer from Lower Court    Associate Justice Brian P. Stern

                                     For State:

                                     Owen Murphy
                                     Department of Attorney General
Attorney(s) on Appeal
                                     For Defendant:

                                     Megan F. Jackson
                                     Office of the Public Defender

SU-CMS-02A (revised June 2020)