Court Opinion

ID: 9913590
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-12-28 15:05:40.593931+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:06:34.795685
License: Public Domain

NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE
                               APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION
        This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court ." Although it is posted on the
     internet, this opinion is binding only on the parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited. R. 1:36-3.

                                                        SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
                                                        APPELLATE DIVISION
                                                        DOCKET NOS. A-5102-18
                                                                    A-2666-20

STATE OF NEW JERSEY,

          Plaintiff-Respondent,

v.

DONALD SCURRY,
a/k/a DONALD SCURRY, JR.,
and TANK SCURRY,

     Defendant-Appellant.
___________________________

STATE OF NEW JERSEY,

          Plaintiff-Respondent,

v.

CHARLES B. CLARK,

     Defendant-Appellant.
___________________________

                   Argued December 18, 2023 — Decided December 28, 2023

                   Before Judges Mawla, Marczyk, and Chase.
           On appeal from the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law
           Division, Cumberland County, Indictment No. 17-12-
           1084.

           Richard Sparaco, Designated Counsel, argued the cause
           for appellant Donald Scurry (Joseph E. Krakora, Public
           Defender, attorney; Richard Sparaco, on the brief).

           Stefan Van Jura, Assistant Deputy Public Defender,
           argued the cause for appellant Charles B. Clark (Joseph
           E. Krakora, Public Defender, attorney; Stefan Van Jura,
           of counsel and on the brief).

           Kaili Elizabeth Matthews, Deputy Attorney General,
           argued the cause for respondent (Matthew J. Platkin,
           Attorney General, attorney; Kaili Elizabeth Matthews,
           of counsel and on the briefs).

PER CURIAM

     These are back-to-back appeals. In A-5102-18, defendant Donald Scurry

appeals from his convictions and sentence for: first-degree murder, N.J.S.A.

2C:11-3(a)(2) (count one); second-degree possession of a weapon for an

unlawful purpose, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4(a)(1) (count two); second-degree unlawful

possession of a weapon, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5(b)(1) (count three); third-degree

tampering with evidence, N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3(b)(1) (count four); and second-

degree possession of a weapon by a convicted person, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7(b)(1)

(count eight). In A-2666-20, defendant Charles B. Clark appeals from his

convictions and sentence for: second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon,

                                                                      A-5102-18
                                     2
N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5(b)(1) (count three); third-degree hindering apprehension,

N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3(a)(3) (count five); fourth-degree tampering with physical

evidence, N.J.S.A. 2C:28-6(1) (count six); and fourth-degree obstruction of the

administration of law, N.J.S.A. 2C:29-1(a) (count seven).

      Defendants were tried together before a jury, over the course of eleven

days. The same judge heard pre-trial motions, presided at trial, and sentenced

defendants.

      The victim, Celeste Cannon, lived in Millville with her three children.

She had a two-year-old son with Scurry, and three- and four-year-old daughters

with Titus Ramsey. At the time of her murder, she was sixteen weeks pregnant

with a fourth child, fathered by Andrew Thompson.

      Scurry visited Cannon's home late in the morning of September 20, 2017,

with his paramour Rachel Green, whom he had asked for a ride. Not long after

entering the house, he exited with Cannon's children and told Green he found

Cannon lying dead on the floor. Green helped the children into the car and

called 9-1-1. Meanwhile Scurry tried to flag down a passing police vehicle for

help, but the officer was transporting a prisoner and could not stop. Instead, the

officer contacted police dispatch, and Officer William Stadnick responded.

                                                                            A-5102-18
                                        3
      The officer spoke with Scurry, who explained he had spotted Cannon's car

still parked in front of the home while he was driving by that morning and

thought it odd, so he decided to stop and check on her. Scurry said the two-

year-old opened the door for him, and he found Cannon's body inside the house.

      Officer Jason Vinzinski arrived next, and Scurry told him the last time he

had spoken to Cannon was at 8:24 p.m. the prior evening, when he sent her a

text message about taking their son for a haircut. He tried calling her at 6:52

a.m. the following morning and, when she did not answer, Scurry asked Green

to take him to Cannon's house. Scurry then reiterated much of what he told

Officer Stadnick, except he stated he did not enter Cannon's home, claiming he

"wouldn't go inside someone's house without permission."

      Officers transported Scurry to the police station for a video-recorded

interview with Detectives Miguel Martinez and Nelson Ferrer. Scurry recounted

the events in a similar fashion, and at the end of the interview consented to a

search of his phone. The phone contained a video showing him together with

Cannon the morning prior to her murder. At trial, the State introduced a still

image from the video depicting Scurry lying down with a nine-millimeter

handgun sitting just behind his right shoulder. Scurry's phone also yielded

several text messages between him and Cannon the day before the murder.

                                                                          A-5102-18
                                       4
Police also collected surveillance footage from several nearby residences and

businesses, including a Wawa.

         The State's evidence showed Cannon sent her final text to Scurry at 8:21

p.m. the night before the murder. Scurry responded at 8:24 p.m. as follows:

"IDC, bitch, you lying."       Later that night, Scurry asked Clark's girlfriend,

Quashay Brown, for a ride to Cannon's house. She and Clark drove him there

in Brown's car and returned to Clark's home after dropping him off. Location

data from Scurry's phone placed him outside Cannon's residence as of 12:17 a.m.

         Scurry texted Cannon "Bitch, wake TF up" at 12:25 a.m. and two minutes

later texted "pick up the fucking phone, you dumb lying bitch," and "I'm about

to come over so you know what it is." Security camera footage from a neighbor's

residence showed an individual, similar in size and build to Scurry wearing a

light-colored sweatshirt and jeans, hurrying away from Cannon's residence.

         Scurry eventually called Brown and Clark for a ride and asked to be picked

up on a side street. They picked him up, and Wawa security camera footage

showed they stopped at the Wawa at 3:22 a.m., on their way back to Green's

house. Scurry and Clark went into the store together while Brown was outside

getting gas. Both men then returned to Brown's car, and Brown went into the

store.

                                                                             A-5102-18
                                          5
      Brown testified that when they arrived at Green's house, Scurry and Clark

got out of the car and had a short conversation in the driveway. Scurry then

entered Green's home and went to bed. Clark returned to the car and asked

Brown to drive him to another nearby Wawa beyond a bridge, which spanned

the Maurice River. When they were nearly halfway over the bridge, Clark told

Brown he had changed his mind and wanted to turn back. As Brown made a U-

turn, she observed Clark reach out of the passenger window and "chuck[]"

something with enough force to reach the water.

      Police recovered a spent nine-millimeter shell casing melded to a couch's

vinyl, next to Cannon's body. A passerby found a gun, a nine millimeter gun, in

the Maurice River a few days after the murder.         Police also interviewed

Thompson and Ramsey. Ramsey arrived at the scene the morning Cannon's

body was discovered and was extremely distraught and difficult to calm down.

      Following their convictions, the trial judge sentenced Scurry to a fifty-

five-year term subject to the No Early Release Act, N.J.S.A. 2C:43-7.2, on count

one, and merged counts two and three into count one. Defendant received a

five-year concurrent term of incarceration on count four, and a ten-year

consecutive term on count eight with a five-year period of parole ineligibility

                                                                          A-5102-18
                                       6
under the Graves Act, N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6(c). Under a separate indictment, Scurry

received a concurrent five-year flat term for violating probation.

       Clark was sentenced to eight years with four years of parole ineligibility

on count three and a concurrent four-year flat term on count five. Counts six

and seven were merged with count five.

       Scurry raises the following arguments on appeal:

             POINT I THE DENIAL OF THE DEFENDANT'S
             MOTIONS TO SUPPRESS DENIED HIM THE
             RIGHT TO A FAIR TRIAL.

                   (a) THE    DEFENDANT'S       FORMAL
                   STATEMENTS TO DETECTIVES SHOULD
                   HAVE BEEN SUPPRESSED BECAUSE THE
                   DEFENDANT WAS IN CUSTODY AND WAS
                   NOT ADVISED OF HIS MIRANDA[1] RIGHTS.

                   (b) THE DEFENDANT'S MOTION TO
                   SUPPRESS THE RESULTS OF THE SEIZURE
                   AND EXAMINATION OF HIS CELL PHONE
                   SHOULD HAVE BEEN SUPPRESSED AS THE
                   FRUIT OF THE POISONOUS TREE.

             POINT II DEFENDANT WAS DENIED THE
             RIGHT TO A FAIR TRIAL WHEN THE STATE WAS
             PERMITTED TO IMPEACH ITS OWN WITNESS:
             THE TRIAL COURT COMMITTED PREJUDICIAL
             ERROR BY ALLOWING THE STATE TO PLAY
             THE PRIOR STATEMENT OF WITNESS . . .
             BROWN TO THE JURY; THE STATE IMPROPERLY
             IMPEACHED ITS OWN WITNESS WITH HER

1
    Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966).
                                                                           A-5102-18
                                        7
PRIOR INCONSISTENT STATEMENT THAT SHE
OBSERVED THE CODEFENDANT THROW AN
OBJECT FROM THE BRIDGE OVER THE
MAURICE RIVER WHERE THE PURPORTED
MURDER WEAPON WAS LATER RECOVERED.

POINT III THE DEFENDANT WAS DENIED THE
RIGHT TO A FAIR TRIAL WHEN THE COURT
LIMITED HIS ABILITY TO PRESENT EVIDENCE
OF THIRD-PARTY GUILT.

POINT IV THE DEFENDANT WAS DENIED THE
RIGHT TO A FAIR TRIAL DUE TO THE COURT'S
FAILURE TO PROPERLY WARN THE JURY TO
DISREGARD DEFENDANT'S ASSERTION OF HIS
RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT IN ITS FINAL JURY
INSTRUCTIONS. (Not Raised Below).

POINT V THE    VIDEO     LOCATED       ON
DEFENDANT'S    CELL     PHONE      WHICH
PURPORTEDLY SHOWED A FIREARM AT OR
NEAR THE DEFENDANT WAS INADMISSIBLE AS
A PRIOR BAD ACT UNDER N.J.R.E. 404(B) AND
WAS     ERRONEOUSLY     ADMITTED       AS
PROPENSITY EVIDENCE, THEREBY DENYING
THE DEFENDANT A FAIR TRIAL.

POINT VI DEFENDANT WAS DENIED THE
RIGHT TO A FAIR TRIAL DUE TO THE
INADMISSIBLE LAY OPINION TESTIMONY BY
THE INVESTIGATING DETECTIVE THAT THE
DEFENDANT WAS THE PERSON DEPICTED ON
THE WAWA SURVEILLANCE VIDEOS, THEREBY
INVADING THE PROVINCE OF THE JURY AS THE
FACTFINDER. (Not Raised Below).

POINT VII THE DEFENDANT    MUST    BE
RESENTENCED BECAUSE THE COURT DID NOT

                                            A-5102-18
                    8
            ADDRESS THE OVERALL FAIRNESS OF THE
            CONSECUTIVE SENTENCES. (Not Raised Below).

      Clark raises the following arguments on his appeal:

            POINT I THE COURT ERRED IN DENYING
            DEFENDANT'S MOTION TO DISMISS THE
            UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A HANDGUN
            CHARGE AT THE CLOSE OF THE STATE'S CASE.

            POINT II THE COURT ERRED IN DENYING
            SEVERANCE OF SCURRY'S BRUTAL MURDER
            OF A PREGNANT WOMAN FROM DEFENDANT'S
            MERE DISPOSAL OF THE HANDGUN AFTER THE
            FACT.

            POINT III THE TRIAL COURT IMPOSED AN
            EXCESSIVE SENTENCE THAT SHOULD BE
            REDUCED.

                                      I.

      Scurry argues the court erred in declining to suppress the statements he

made to detectives during his interview and the text messages they obtained

from his phone. He contends his statements were made in the context of a

custodial interrogation and were un-Mirandized. As a result, he also argues the

text messages should have been suppressed as fruit of the poisonous tree.

      Generally, a custodial interrogation is any "questioning initiated by law

enforcement officers after a person has been taken into custody or otherwise

deprived of his freedom of action in any significant way." Miranda, 384 U.S. at

                                                                            A-5102-18
                                       9
444. It need not entail a formal arrest, handcuffs, or other physical restraint, or

even necessarily occur at a police station. State v. P.Z., 152 N.J. 86, 103 (1997).

Absent a formal arrest, the "critical determinant of custody is whether there has

been a significant deprivation of the suspect's freedom of action based on the

objective circumstances, including the time and place of the interrogation, the

status of the interrogator, the status of the suspect, and other such factors[,]"

such that the restraint on the suspect's freedom of movement is "of the degree

associated with a formal arrest." Id. at 102-03 (quoting California v. Beheler,

463 U.S. 1121, 1125 (1983)).

      A trial court's findings of fact on this issue are entitled to deference on

appeal so long as they are supported by sufficient credible evidence in the

record. State v. Elders, 192 N.J. 224, 242-44 (2007). However, we review a

court's conclusions on matters of law de novo. State v. Shaw, 213 N.J. 398, 411

(2012).

      At the suppression motion hearing, Officer Stadnick testified about his

conversation with Scurry outside the house after he and emergency medical

personnel confirmed Cannon was dead. Scurry told Officer Stadnick he had

tried contacting Cannon several times the night before and again in the morning

without success. That morning, while driving by her house, he noticed her car

                                                                             A-5102-18
                                       10
still parked in front and thought that odd, so he decided to check on her. He

then found Cannon's body after his son let him into the house. As he finished

speaking with Officer Stadnick, he agreed to wait at the scene until detectives

arrived.

      Detective Martinez, who was familiar with Scurry from prior

investigations, arrived and briefly spoke with him outside the house before

entering to investigate. When he returned, he asked whether Scurry would be

willing to give a formal statement regarding his discovery of Cannon's body.

Scurry agreed, and Detective Martinez transported him to the police station,

where detectives interviewed Scurry for approximately ninety minutes.

      Notably, on the recording, just prior to the interview, a voice can be heard

off camera, which Detective Martinez identified as belonging to an officer

having a phone conversation about an unrelated case nearby. In the off-camera

conversation, an officer is apparently persuading someone to come to the station

to speak with police and advising the person there is no warrant for their arrest.

The video recording shows the interview room was still dark and unoccupied

while the off-camera conversation was taking place. Then, Detective Ferrer

enters the room, turns on the lights, and brings Scurry in to wait for the interview

to begin. The off-camera conversation continues, while Scurry is waiting alone

                                                                              A-5102-18
                                        11
in the room, not engaged in a conversation until the video captured the sound of

the phone being hung up at the end of the conversation. Clearly, the off-camera

conversation had nothing to do with Scurry.

      Once the interview began, Scurry recounted how he found Cannon's body.

When detectives asked for Scurry's consent to search his phone, the following

colloquy ensued:

                  [SCURRY]: — (indiscernible). If I say no, then
            what'll happen if I say no (indiscernible) consent,
            though?

                  UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: I mean, . . . they're
            going to apply for a search warrant anyway.

                   [SCURRY]: (Indiscernible).

                  UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: (Indiscernible)
            search     warrant,    but    that—obviously,   that
            (indiscernible). I know you had mentioned you wanted
            your phone back right away.

                   [SCURRY]: Yeah.

                  UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: And, you know,
            (indiscernible) willing to give you, you know,
            (indiscernible).

                  It's up to you. I'm just trying (indiscernible) to
            get your phone (indiscernible).

                  [SCURRY]: If I say no, (indiscernible) keep me
            here until—

                                                                          A-5102-18
                                      12
                   UNIDENTIFIED         SPEAKER:              Well,
            (indiscernible) keep the phone (indiscernible) apply for
            a full search warrant and get that information off of
            there.

Scurry consented to a search of his phone, signed a consent form, and gave

detectives his passcode.

      Officer Stadnick's police report did not designate Scurry as either a

witness or a suspect, and instead denoted him in an "other" category. The officer

explained this was because Scurry had not witnessed the actual crime and, at the

time, "wasn't anything other than somebody on scene that I spoke with."

Likewise, Detective Martinez testified he did not consider Scurry a suspect at

the time, but only a witness who had discovered the body. Scurry was not under

arrest at the time of the interview.

      The trial judge credited the testimony of the State's witnesses. He found

the "objective facts of this case at the time of the questioning" did not "lead to a

conclusion that [Scurry] was a natural suspect." Scurry's romantic relationship

with Cannon had already terminated, they no longer lived together, and Scurry

was in a relationship with Green. He went to Cannon's house with Green; Green

was the one who called 9-1-1; and Scurry waived down police after he

discovered Cannon's body. Further, at the time of the interview, there was no

physical evidence linking Scurry to the murder.

                                                                              A-5102-18
                                        13
         The judge concluded Scurry was not in custody at the time of the

interview. Moreover, the detectives' questions were not coercive, but intended

to record Scurry's account, which he had already provided at the scene. He

concluded Scurry validly consented to the search of his phone and never revoked

his consent.

         The judge's finding Scurry was not in custody was sound and supported

by the credible evidence in the record. For these reasons, Scurry's argument the

text messages retrieved from his phone were fruit of the poisonous tree also

fails.

         Separately, Scurry argues for the first time on appeal, that he felt pressured

to consent to the search, because he was led to believe that, absent his consent,

he would not be permitted to leave until detectives had secured a warrant.

Consent to search must be voluntary. State v. Maristany, 133 N.J. 299, 305

(1993). Consent must be given "with a free and unconstrained will . . . that is

not overborne by physical or psychological duress or coercion," State v.

Carvajal, 202 N.J. 214, 226 (2010). The voluntariness of consent is viewed

within the totality of the circumstances, including whether the individual was

already arrested or handcuffed, "consent was obtained despite a denial of guilt"

or "only after the accused had [already] refused initial requests for consent to

                                                                                 A-5102-18
                                          14
search," or "consent was given where the subsequent search resulted in a seizure

of contraband which the accused must have known would be discovered . . . ."

State v. King, 44 N.J. 346, 352-53 (1965).

      The record shows Scurry voluntarily consented to the search. There is no

evidence detectives coerced or manipulated him by answering his question about

what would happen if he declined to grant consent to search his phone. The

totality of the circumstances does not show his consent was undermined. There

were no threats, and Scurry was neither arrested nor handcuffed, and he was free

to leave.

                                         II.

      "We defer to a trial court's evidentiary ruling absent an abuse of

discretion." State v. Garcia, 245 N.J. 412, 430 (2021). "We will not substitute

our judgment unless the evidentiary ruling is 'so wide of the mark' that it

constitutes 'a clear error in judgment.'" Ibid. (quoting State v. Medina, 242 N.J.

397, 412 (2020)). Reversal of a conviction is only warranted when a mistaken

evidentiary ruling has the "clear capacity to cause an unjust result . . . ." Ibid.

                                         A.

      For the first time on appeal, Scurry contends he was denied the right to a

fair trial when the court permitted the State to impeach Brown with her prior

                                                                              A-5102-18
                                        15
inconsistent statement. He argues the court erred by not holding a Gross2

hearing to establish the statement's reliability.

        A prior inconsistent statement may be admitted for impeachment purposes

and as substantive evidence, provided the witness is available for cross -

examination. Id. at 8. Under N.J.R.E. 607(a)(2), "[t]he party calling a witness

may not neutralize the witness' testimony by a prior contradictory statement

unless the statement is in a form admissible under Rule 803(a)(1) . . . ."

Admissibility of a prior inconsistent statement under N.J.R.E. 803(a)(1) must be

determined at a N.J.R.E. 104 hearing outside the presence of the jury. State v.

Baluch, 341 N.J. Super. 141, 179 (App. Div. 2001). "[T]he purpose of the

[N.J.R.E. 104] inquiry 'is not to determine the credibility of the out-of-court

statements' but 'whether the prior statement was made or signed under

circumstances establishing sufficient reliability that the factfinder may fairly

consider it as substantive evidence.'" State v. Spruell, 121 N.J. 32, 46 (1990)

(quoting State v. Gross, 216 N.J. Super. 98, 110 (App. Div. 1987)). The burden

rests with the proponent of the statement to prove its reliability by a

preponderance of the evidence. Gross, 121 N.J. at 15-16.

2
    State v. Gross, 121 N.J. 1 (1990).
                                                                          A-5102-18
                                         16
      Reliability is determined in light of any relevant surrounding

circumstances, including:

            (1) the declarant's connection to and interest in the
            matter reported in the out-of-court statement, (2) the
            person or persons to whom the statement was given, (3)
            the place and occasion for giving the statement, (4)
            whether the declarant was then in custody or otherwise
            the target of investigation, (5) the physical and mental
            condition of the declarant at the time, (6) the presence
            or absence of other persons, (7) whether the declarant
            incriminated himself or sought to exculpate himself by
            his statement, (8) the extent to which the writing is in
            the declarant's hand, (9) the presence or absence, and
            the nature of, any interrogation, (10) whether the
            offered sound recording or writing contains the
            entirety, or only a portion or a summary, of the
            communication, (11) the presence or absence of any
            motive to fabricate, (12) the presence or absence of any
            express or implicit pressures, inducements or coercion
            for the making of the statement, (13) whether the
            anticipated use of the statement was apparent or made
            known to the declarant, (14) the inherent believability
            or lack of believability of the statement and (15) the
            presence or absence of corroborating evidence.

            [Id. at 10 (quoting Gross, 216 N.J. Super. at 109-10).]

      Brown gave a statement to police memorializing her version of the events

of the evening of the murder, after she was Mirandized and waived her rights.

She told police she dropped Scurry off at Green's house, Clark exited the car as

well and had a brief conversation with Scurry, then Clark asked Brown to drive

him to another Wawa. When Clark changed his mind, she made a U-turn while

                                                                          A-5102-18
                                      17
halfway over the bridge, and she saw Clark throw an object out of the car

window as if aiming for the water below.

      When Brown testified at trial, she stated Clark exited the car with Scurry

at Green's house for "only like two seconds" and denied she had witnessed the

two having any conversation, because she was not paying attention. When the

prosecutor refreshed Brown's recollection with her prior statement, she then said

at most Scurry and Clark "said bye to each other" and "that was it."

      Brown also testified she had turned around before even reaching the

bridge, but then eventually acknowledged she made a U-turn in the middle of

the bridge when reminded about her prior statement. She denied having seen

Clark "do anything" at that point. When confronted with her statement , she

admitted she told police she had seen Clark reach out the window, but denied

seeing him throw anything, and questioned the accuracy of the transcript of her

statement to police.

      Brown also testified she told police the object Clark threw was "small"

and assumed it might have been a cigarette or similar object.          On cross-

examination she stated Clark had thrown something "out the window" but not

"over the bridge."

                                                                           A-5102-18
                                      18
      The next day of trial, the State sought to admit Brown's recorded

statement. The court held a hearing to determine the statement's admissibility.

Defense counsel argued the State's introduction of the recorded statement, after

Brown had already left the stand, deprived the defense of its Sixth Amendment

right to further cross-examine her about the statement.

      The trial judge concluded the statement was admissible both for

impeachment purposes and as substantive evidence, under N.J.R.E. 803(a)(1)

and N.J.R.E. 607. He reasoned as follows:

            The prior statement would be admissible if made by the
            witness while testifying—that's satisfied; two, that the
            maker of the statement is called as a witness before the
            jury and is available for cross-examination—that was
            satisfied, she was called; and three, that the prior
            statement is made under circumstances establishing its
            reliability and is either contained in a sound recording,
            or contained in a writing made by or signed by the
            witness—my understanding [is] this is a video
            recording of the witness's statement; it's admissible.

The judge noted: Brown had denied portions of the statement when the State

confronted her with it; defense counsel already had the opportunity to cross-

examine her in that regard; and the defense would be permitted to recall her if

further cross-examination was necessary.

      Portions of the recording were played for the jury during Detective

Martinez's testimony. In the judge's final jury instructions, he explained at some

                                                                            A-5102-18
                                       19
length how the jury could consider the prior statement in connection with

Brown's testimony.

      On appeal, Scurry does not challenge the admission of the prior statement

on confrontation grounds. Instead, he argues the failure to hold a Gross hearing

to determine the statement's reliability prior to admission—and the failure to

give an appropriate limiting instruction requiring the jury to evaluate the

statement pursuant to the same standard for reliability—is reversible error. He

questions whether the statement was inconsistent, noting Brown neither

"disavow[ed]" it nor denied recalling having made it.        Scurry argues the

statement was highly prejudicial because it suggested he had given Clark the

murder weapon that was later found in the river and colluded with Clark to

dispose of the weapon.

      We are unpersuaded by these arguments. At the outset, there was no claim

asserted before the trial judge that the statement was unreliable. Therefore, a

Gross hearing was not required. Scurry's brief does not apply the Gross factors

to the circumstances in which Brown gave her statement. Even so, we are not

convinced Brown's statement would be declared unreliable under the fifteen

Gross factors.

                                                                          A-5102-18
                                      20
       Indeed, factors one, two, three, and six do not favor Scurry. Brown was

Mirandized before she gave the statement. There is no assertion the Miranda

rights were invalid, or that her statement was involuntary, or that Brown did not

understand the reasons she was being questioned, thereby satisfying factors four,

nine, twelve, and thirteen. Factors five, seven, and eight are not applicable.

Factor ten is satisfied because the recording of her statement is complete.

Factors eleven and fourteen do not favor Scurry because there is no indication

Brown was motivated to fabricate her statement, or that it was not inherently

believable. Additionally, factor fifteen was met because her trial testimony

corroborated much of her statement; a gun was found in the river, and a license

plate reader captured her car in the vicinity of the bridge, also corroborating her

statement.

       Brown's statement to police was plainly inconsistent with her testimony.

The judge did not abuse his discretion by admitting the statement. The defense

had an opportunity to cross-examine Brown and was not barred from recalling

her.   Additionally, the judge instructed the jury on how to treat the prior

inconsistent statement, namely, to judge credibility and treat it as substantive

evidence. The judge's instruction detailed at length how the jury must consider

                                                                             A-5102-18
                                       21
the totality of the circumstances surrounding Brown's prior statement a nd her

testimony.

      We affirm the judge's decision to admit Brown's prior statement for the

reasons he expressed following the evidentiary hearing. The admission of

Brown's prior inconsistent statement was not reversible error.

                                        B.

      For the first time on appeal, Scurry asserts he was deprived of an

opportunity to present evidence of third-party guilt. He claims the judge erred

when he prohibited the defense from questioning Thompson in a manner that

would have implicated Thompson in the murder.

      Both the federal and state constitutions "guarantee criminal defendants 'a

meaningful opportunity to present a complete defense'" to the charges against

them. State v. Garron, 177 N.J. 147, 168 (2003) (quoting Crane v. Kentucky,

476 U.S. 683, 690 (1986); State v. Budis, 125 N.J. 519, 531 (1991)). Essential

to that opportunity is a right to introduce evidence of third-party guilt. State v.

Cotto, 182 N.J. 316, 332 (2005). Evidence of a third party's guilt need not

substantially prove the guilt of the third party to warrant admission, but "need

only be capable of raising a reasonable doubt of [the] defendant's guilt . . . ."

State v. Fortin, 178 N.J. 540, 591 (2004) (quoting State v. Koedatich, 112 N.J.

                                                                             A-5102-18
                                       22
225, 299 (1988)). However, the evidence of third-party guilt must have more

than a speculative connection to the case, and "must be capable of demonstrating

'some link between the [third-party] evidence and the victim or the crime.'"

State v. Perry, 225 N.J. 222, 239 (2005) (alteration in original) (quoting

Koedatich, 112 N.J. at 301).

      Thompson testified about his prior criminal record and admitted on cross-

examination he once owned a .22 caliber gun but denied owning other guns.

Defense counsel impeached Thompson, showing he was previously convicted

for possession of .38 caliber hollow-point bullets, and then asked him about the

.38 gun itself. Thompson replied the gun was "long gone." Defense counsel

also asked him about his other convictions, including one for aggravated assault.

      Following a brief redirect examination by the State, defense counsel

sought to re-cross-examine Thompson regarding the details of his aggravated

assault conviction.   The defense intended to show that if Thompson shot

someone3 with a .38 caliber weapon, it would further undermine his credibility

given his testimony that he had only ever owned the .22 caliber weapon.

However, the judge denied defense counsel's request, reasoning that only

3
  At sidebar, both counsel and the court recalled Thompson having volunteered
on re-direct that he had "shot somebody," but that testimony is not evident from
the transcript.
                                                                           A-5102-18
                                      23
Thompson's convictions were relevant for impeachment purposes, not the

underlying circumstances. Moreover, the testimony was redundant because the

defense already impeached Thompson on this point.

      Although the defense's challenge at trial was on impeachment grounds, on

appeal Scurry now claims he was deprived of the ability to show third-party

guilt. He asserts the circumstances underlying the prior conviction, to the extent

it entailed a shooting, would have shown Thompson had a propensity to commit

the murder. Because Scurry never raised this issue at trial, we review the trial

judge's ruling for plain error to see if it was "clearly capable of producing an

unjust result." R. 2:10-2.

      This argument lacks merit. Cannon was murdered with a nine-millimeter

gun. Therefore, evidence of Thompson's prior use of a different sort of weapon

bears no obvious connection to this case, invites speculation, and would only

serve to confuse the jury.

      Moreover, defense counsel was afforded considerable leeway to explore

third-party guilt with Thompson.         Counsel asked Thompson on cross-

examination whether he had killed Cannon and questioned him regarding his:

gun ownership; knowledge Cannon had considered terminating her pregnancy;

                                                                            A-5102-18
                                       24
involvement in another romantic relationship at the time of the murder; and

whether he was jealous when Ramsey visited Cannon.

      Defense counsel also questioned detectives about their reasons for

excluding Thompson as a suspect. Counsel elicited testimony from detectives

directly bearing on propensity and third-party guilt, namely, a prior accusation

that Thompson had held a gun to a woman's head.

      We are satisfied the trial judge did not abuse his discretion by limiting the

re-cross-examination of Thompson. The judge's exercise of discretion limiting

a line of questioning, which at best was tenuous, was not clearly capable of

producing an unjust result.

                                        C.

      Scurry argues the judge abused his discretion by permitting the State to

introduce the still image from the video on his phone showing a nine-millimeter

handgun near him. He asserts the evidence should have been excluded as "other

crimes" evidence.

      Other crimes evidence may be admitted for purposes other than to prove

disposition, including to establish "motive, opportunity, intent, preparation,

plan, knowledge, identity or absence of mistake or accident when such matters

are relevant to a material issue in dispute." N.J.R.E. 404(b). However, other

                                                                             A-5102-18
                                       25
crimes evidence has a "unique tendency" to prejudice jurors, State v. Stevens,

115 N.J. 289, 302 (1989), by influencing them to convict a defendant "not on

the evidence of the specific crime at issue but because of the perception that the

defendant is a 'bad' person in general." State v. Gibbons, 105 N.J. 67, 77 (1987).

      Therefore, such evidence is admitted only with great caution. State v.

Willis, 225 N.J. 85, 97 (2016). Evidence of a prior bad act is admissible only if

(1) it is "relevant to a material issue" in the case, (2) the prior act is "similar in

kind and reasonably close in time to the offense charged[,]" (3) the evidence of

the prior act is clear and convincing, and (4) its probative value is not

"outweighed by its apparent prejudice." State v. Cofield, 127 N.J. 328, 338

(1992) (quoting Abraham P. Ordover, Balancing the Presumptions of Guilt and

Innocence, 38 Emory L.J. 135, 160 (1989)). Additionally, the court must issue

a careful, precise limiting instruction to the jury regarding the appropriate use

of the evidence in its deliberations. Id. at 340-41.

      "The threshold determination under Rule 404(b) is whether the evidence

relates to 'other crimes,' and thus is subject to continued analysis under Rule

404(b), or whether it is evidence intrinsic to the charged crime, and thus need

only satisfy the evidence rules relating to relevancy, most importantly Rule

403." State v. Rose, 206 N.J. 141, 179 (2011). Evidence is intrinsic "if it

                                                                                A-5102-18
                                         26
'directly proves' the charged offense. . . . If uncharged misconduct directly

proves the charged offense, it is not evidence of some 'other' crime." Id. at 180

(quoting United States v. Green, 617 F.3d 233, 248-49 (3d Cir. 2010)). Also,

"'uncharged acts performed contemporaneously with the charged crime may be

termed intrinsic if they facilitate the commission of the charged crime.' But all

else must be analyzed under Rule 404(b)." Ibid.

      Scurry moved in limine to exclude the still image on grounds it was

irrelevant, highly prejudicial, and improper other crimes evidence. Following

an evidentiary hearing, the judge concluded the evidence was intrinsic. Pursuant

to Cofield, he reasoned there were distinctive features visible both in the image

and the gun recovered from the river to enable a jury to conclude the weapons

were the same. The judge found the image was clear and convincing evidence

of Scurry's unlawful possession of a weapon, an offense he was charge with, and

the image was made reasonably close in time to the charged offense. Therefore,

the probative value of the image in establishing the relationship between the

murder weapon and the gun in Scurry's possession exceeded any prejudice from

its admission. The judge ruled the image would be admitted, subject to a

limiting instruction to the jury.

                                                                           A-5102-18
                                      27
      After the State introduced the image, the judge instructed the jury it could

consider it "for the purposes of determining whether or not . . . Scurry had access

to . . . the weapon in this case." The judge reminded the jury it could consider

the still image only for this purpose. If the jury concluded the weapon in the

still image was not the same as the murder weapon in evidence, then it could not

consider it for any other purpose, and "[c]ertainly not [for] the propensity to

have a weapon, or anything else."

      We are satisfied the judge's ruling was not an abuse of discretion. The

Cofield factors were met. The still image was clearly relevant to whether Scurry

unlawfully possessed a weapon, which made the offense similar in kind to the

one charge. The image was made close in time to Cannon's murder and was

clear and convincing evidence of weapons possession because the gun was lying

next to Scurry. Therefore, the probative value outweighed the prejudice. And

the jury instruction clearly limited how the jury could use the evidence.

                                        D.

      For the first time on appeal, Scurry argues he was denied the right to a fair

trial because the officers who testified on behalf of the State identified him in

the Wawa surveillance footage.        He asserts the testimony impermissibly

encroached on the jury's role as factfinder.

                                                                             A-5102-18
                                       28
      N.J.R.E. 701 permits lay witness opinion testimony "if it: (a) is rationally

based on the witness' perception; and (b) will assist in understanding the witness'

testimony in determining a fact in issue." The purpose of the rule is to "ensure

that lay opinion is based on an adequate foundation." State v. Sanchez, 247 N.J.

450, 466 (2021) (quoting State v. Singh, 245 N.J. 1, 14 (2021)).

      A lay witness "need not have witnessed the crime or been present when

[a] photograph or video recording was made in order to offer admissible

testimony" regarding the identity of an individual in the photograph or

recording. Id. at 469. The witness need only "have actual knowledge, acquired

through his or her senses, of the matter to which he or she testifies.'" Id. at 466

(quoting State v. LaBrutto, 114 N.J. 187, 197 (1989)). In Sanchez, an officer

was permitted to testify that she identified the defendant in surveillance footage

taken shortly after the crimes occurred, because she had met with him on

numerous occasions while supervising him on parole and was familiar with his

appearance from personal observation. Id. at 458, 469.

      As to the second requirement, assisting the jury to understand a disputed

fact, the lay opinion testimony must pertain to a matter about which the jury is

not equally "competent as [the witness] to form a conclusion." Id. at 469-70

(alteration in original) (quoting State v. McLean, 205 N.J. 438, 459 (2011)). A

                                                                             A-5102-18
                                       29
court should consider the "nature, duration, and timing of the witness's contacts

with the defendant" and the extent to which the contact occurred near the time

of the offense or permitted the witness to observe aspects of the defendant's

appearance that might not be readily observable at trial. Id. at 470-72. Other

considerations include if "there has been a change in the defendant's appearance

since the offense at issue" to enhance the value of the witness's observations of

the defendant closer to the time of the offense, and whether the recording at

issue is either so clear, or of such poor quality, that the witness's identification

would be unhelpful at best or highly prejudicial at worst. Id. at 472-73. The

court may also consider whether any witnesses outside law enforcement would

be available to identify the defendant in the same manner at trial.            Ibid.

Ultimately, admissibility will depend on a consideration of all the relevant

circumstances, and no one factor is dispositive. Id. at 473-74.

      Scurry argues Officer Vinzinski's and Detective Martinez's testimony—

identifying him and describing his clothing while discussing the significance of

the surveillance footage they had collected and reviewed during their

investigation—was improper lay opinion testimony. Officer Vinzinski testified

he reviewed seven hours of surveillance footage from the Wawa, and was "able

to identify" Scurry entering the Wawa at 3:22 a.m. He pointed out Scurry in the

                                                                              A-5102-18
                                        30
video by noting the clothing he was wearing. Officer Vinzinski also recounted

collecting and reviewing other footage from a nearby business he believed was

on the perpetrator's "possible route of travel," and observed that an individual

depicted in the video had a similar "physical build," "appearance," and

"clothing" to the individual he had identified as Scurry in the Wawa footage.

      Detective Martinez testified he could identify Scurry from the Wawa

footage because he had interviewed Scurry a few days prior to viewing the

video. The detective also gathered footage from a residence near Cannon's

home, which depicted an individual in dark pants and a light-colored sweatshirt

moving "away from the scene at a hurried pace," but he could not identify the

person.

      Defense counsel did not object to this testimony. Regardless, we discern

no plainly prejudicial error warranting our intervention because the jury had the

opportunity to view the videos and evaluate the credibility of the officers'

representations regarding what the videos depicted. Moreover, both officers

interacted with Scurry at the scene just hours after the murder occurred and the

surveillance footage was captured. Their testimony was rationally based on their

personal observation of Scurry and the surrounding facts, including that Brown

had placed Scurry at the Wawa. The testimony aided the jury, because it

                                                                           A-5102-18
                                      31
provided context and explained the relevance of the surveillance footage the jury

was shown and the overall investigation.

                                         III.

         For the first time on appeal, Scurry argues the judge erred by failing to

remind the jury in the final instructions to disregard that he had asserted his right

against self-incrimination during police questioning. We discern no reversible

error.

         A suspect's invocation of the privilege against self-incrimination "cannot

be used against [them] in a criminal trial." State v. Muhammad, 182 N.J. 551,

558 (2005). A violation of this right at trial may be cured with a timely,

appropriate instruction to the jury. State v. Scherzer, 301 N.J. Super. 363, 441

(App. Div. 1997). In this regard, a curative instruction "will not be deemed

inadequate" on review "unless there is a real possibility that the error led the

jury to a result it otherwise might not have reached." Ibid.

         During the defense's cross-examination of Officer Vinzinski about the

investigation, counsel asked him whether he had ever spoken with Scurry about

having seen Scurry in the Wawa surveillance footage.             Officer Vinzinski

responded Scurry "requested a lawyer when [the officer] tried to talk to him."

                                                                               A-5102-18
                                         32
      The trial judge immediately called a sidebar, and admonished defense

counsel for asking a question guaranteed to elicit the problematic response.

Defense counsel then requested a mistrial, which the judge denied. The judge

and counsel then agreed to instruct the jury to disregard the question and

response, because it would be stricken from the record. The judge instructed the

jury as follows:

            Whether or not somebody seeks the services of an
            attorney is a constitutional right. You can infer nothing
            from that. Do you understand that? So if somebody
            says or you find out that somebody sought the services
            of an attorney, you can't consider that at all in any way,
            shape, or form in your decisions with regards to this
            case. Do you understand that? So I'm striking that.
            You're not to consider it at all.

      At the close of the case, the final jury instructions reminded the jury it

could not consider evidence the judge had stricken. The judge said:

            [A]ny testimony that I may have had occasion to strike
            is not evidence and should not enter into your final
            deliberations. And I did do that a couple times,
            remember? Okay. Now, it must be disregarded by you.
            This means that even though you may remember the
            testimony, you are not to use it in your discussions or
            deliberations.

      On appeal, Scurry asserts the failure to repeat the earlier, curative

instruction was plain error. This argument lacks merit.

                                                                          A-5102-18
                                       33
      The curative instruction was idiosyncratic of the issue to be resolved,

namely, to promptly strike from the record and direct the jury to ignore the

improper question and answer. We are unconvinced the jury failed to follow the

instruction or that repeating it at the end of the case, e.g., reminding the jury of

the stricken evidence, was required under the circumstances. The problematic

question and answer were fleeting and not especially egregious. See State v.

Feaster, 156 N.J. 1, 77 (1998) (convictions and sentence affirmed due to the

"fleeting nature" of "defendant's invocation of his right to counsel"). Moreover,

the judge's final instructions reminded jurors they were not to consider any

evidence that had been stricken.

                                        IV.

      Clark argues the judge should have granted his motion to sever his case

from Scurry's. This issue is entrusted to the trial judge's sound discretion and

will not be disturbed on appeal absent an abuse of that discretion. State v.

Sanchez, 143 N.J. 273, 283 (1996).

      A trial judge deciding a motion to sever must "balance the potential

prejudice to [a] defendant's due process rights against the State's interest in

judicial efficiency." State v. Brown, 118 N.J. 595, 605 (1990) (citing State v.

Coleman, 46 N.J. 16, 24 (1965)). "A joint trial is preferable because it fosters

                                                                              A-5102-18
                                        34
the goal of judicial economy and prevents inconsistent verdicts."          State v.

Weaver, 219 N.J. 131, 157 (2014).

      The test for granting severance is rigorous. Brown, 118 N.J. at 605-06.

"The mere existence of hostility, conflict, or antagonism between defendants is

not enough." Id. at 606. A mere risk of prejudice is insufficient to warrant

severance as the defendant must show actual prejudice. State v. Moore, 113 N.J.

239, 274 (1988). "Separate trials are required only when defendants 'present

defenses that are antagonistic at their core.'" Brown, 118 N.J. at 606 (quoting

United States v. Berkowitz, 662 F.2d 1127, 1134 (5th Cir. 1981)).

      "When [a] defendant's defense strategy is antagonistic at its core to the

defense strategy of his co-defendant so that the jury could only believe one of

them, severance is in order." Weaver, 219 N.J. at 157. However, "[i]f the jury

can return a verdict against one or both defendants by believing neither, or

believing portions of both, or, indeed, believing both completely, the defenses

are not mutually exclusive." Brown, 118 N.J. at 606.

      The trial judge acknowledged Clark was not charged with any offense

related to the commission of the killing itself, but found the allegation that Clark

hindered the investigation and prosecution of Scurry for the murder was

inseparable from Scurry's conduct. Indeed, the evidence of the homicide was

                                                                              A-5102-18
                                        35
integral to the jury's understanding of the hindering case against Clark. The

evidence relating to disposal of the weapon was relevant to the prosecution of

both cases. The defenses were not antagonistic to one another because neither

defendant made a statement implicating the other, and all third-party witness

testimony would be admissible in either case. The judge therefore concluded

there was no justification for severance that would outweigh the interests of

judicial economy.

      On appeal, Clark concedes the jury would have to hear at least some

evidence of the homicide in his case but argues the level of detail necessary to

prove the homicide in Scurry's case pervaded and prejudiced his chances of

acquittal at a joint trial. Clark asserts he was merely an "after-the-fact, bit

player" in Cannon's murder and the bulk of the evidence relevant to the murder,

namely the: abusive texts Scurry sent Clark, crime scene photos of Cannon's

body, and evidence showing she was pregnant and her children were home when

she was shot, was irrelevant to whether he helped Scurry conceal evidence of

the homicide.

      The judge did not abuse his discretion. We are unconvinced the jury was

unable to parse the evidence as it related to each defendant. Nor does the record

convince us the jury was impelled to convict Clark based on Scurry's actions.

                                                                           A-5102-18
                                      36
The State never alleged, and the evidence presented did not suggest, that Clark

played a role beyond the hindering. The judge instructed the jury as to the

offenses committed by each defendant and Clark does not challenge those jury

charges. We must presume the jury followed the judge's instructions. State v.

Martini, 187 N.J. 469, 477 (2006) (citing State v. Marshall, 173 N.J. 343, 355

(2002)).

      Clark's reliance on State v. Savage, 198 N.J. Super. 507, 508-09, 513 (Law

Div. 1984), is misplaced. Savage, also involved one defendant charged with

murder and another charged with hindering apprehension after the fact , but not

the murder itself. Id. at 513. However, severance was granted in Savage

because it was a capital murder case involving the selection of a "death

qualified" jury, for whom the selection process was different. Id. at 509. In

such cases, jurors could convict a defendant, but then decline to hear the death

penalty phase of the case.       Ibid.    Therefore, the court found "if death

qualification followed the guilt phase, it is possible that not enough jurors would

remain to hear the penalty phase due to their absolute views for or against the

death penalty . . . ." Ibid. Severance was required because the possibility that

the same jury would not hear all phases of the cases was contrary to "legislative

                                                                             A-5102-18
                                         37
policy favoring trial of all phases of a capital case before the 'same jury' . . . ."

Id. at 510.

      Savage is inapposite. The offenses charged here were different and the

jury selection process for each defendant was not unique to their offenses.

      We also reject Clark's reliance on State v. Sterling, 215 N.J. 65, 73 (2013).

That case involved the severance of charges against a single defendant who

committed multiple criminal transactions. Ibid. The concern there was the

"danger when several crimes are tried together, that the jury may use the

evidence cumulatively; that is, that, although so much as would be admissible

upon any one of the charges might not have persuaded them of the accused's

guilt, the sum of it will convince them as to all." Ibid. (quoting State v. Pitts,

116 N.J. 580, 601 (1989)). The offenses here were committed by two defendants

within the context of one broad criminal transaction.

                                         V.

      Clark asserts the judge should have granted his post-trial motion for a

judgment of acquittal on the unlawful possession of a weapon charge. He argues

N.J.S.A. 2C:39-2(b), which permits the jury to draw an inference that defendant

did not have a firearm permit unless the defendant establishes otherwise, was

                                                                              A-5102-18
                                        38
unconstitutional as applied here because the State failed to introduce any

evidence showing he lacked a permit.

      A post-trial motion for judgment of acquittal is governed by Rule 3:18-2.

The motion judge may consider all the evidence, direct or circumstantial,

presented by the State and the defendant, giving the State the benefit of all the

favorable evidence and all the favorable inferences drawn from that evidence,

and then determine whether a reasonable jury could find guilt beyond a

reasonable doubt. State v. Lodzinski, 249 N.J. 116, 144 (2021); State v. Fuqua,

234 N.J. 583, 590-91 (2018); State v. Williams, 218 N.J. 576, 594 (2014). "The

evidence should be sifted to determine whether any trier of fact could rationally

have found beyond a reasonable doubt that the essential elements of the crime

were present." State v. Carter, 91 N.J. 86, 96 (1982). A court must recognize

"jurors 'may draw an inference from a fact whenever it is more probable than

not that the inference is true . . . .'" Lodzinski, 249 N.J. at 144 (quoting State v.

Brown, 80 N.J. 587, 592 (1979)). We apply the same standard on appellate

review. Id. at 145.

      N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5(b)(1), criminalizes the unlawful possession of a weapon,

which it defines as "[a]ny person who knowingly has in his possession any

                                                                              A-5102-18
                                        39
handgun . . . without first having obtained a permit to carry the same . . . ."

N.J.S.A. 2C:39-2(b) states:

              When the legality of a person's conduct under this
              chapter depends on [their] possession of a license or
              permit or on [their] having registered with or given
              notice to a particular person or agency, it shall be
              presumed that [they] do[] not possess such a license or
              permit or ha[ve] not registered or given the required
              notice, until [they] establish[] the contrary.

      In State v. Ingram, our Supreme Court considered the constitutionality of

the statutory presumption under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-2. 98 N.J. 489, 491 (1985). The

Court held:

              (1) the absence of a required permit is an essential
              element of a weapons offense as defined under N.J.S.A.
              2C:39-5; (2) once possession of a weapon is shown and
              an accused fails to come forward with evidence of a
              permit, the State may employ the statutory presumption
              of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-2 to establish the absence of the
              required permit; and (3) a jury should be instructed that
              although such a statute authorizes the inference that
              there is no such permit, the ultimate burden of
              persuasion rests on the State, with the jury being at
              liberty to find the ultimate fact one way or the other.

              [Id. at 500.]

      Detective Martinez testified he "personally did not look" for any permits

for Clark, but in reviewing the evidence gathered during the investigation he had

                                                                           A-5102-18
                                        40
not seen any permits. The defense offered no evidence to the contrary. The

judge instructed the jury on the inference issue as follows:

                   The third element the State must prove beyond a
            reasonable doubt is that the defendant did not have a
            permit to possess such a handgun. If you find the
            defendant knowingly possessed the handgun and there
            is no evidence that the defendant had a valid permit to
            carry such a handgun, then you may infer, if you think
            it appropriate to do so, based upon the facts presented,
            that defendant had no such permit.

                  Know however, as with all other elements, the
            State bears the burden of showing beyond a reasonable
            doubt the lack of a valid permit, and that you may draw
            the inference only if you feel it is appropriate to do so
            under all the facts and circumstances.

      Defense counsel moved for a judgment of acquittal, pointing out the State

had offered no substantive evidence bearing on Clark's lack of a permit, and

applying the statutory inference would oblige Clark to testify on his own behalf,

which was contrary to his right to remain silent. The trial judge denied the

motion, reasoning the State could not be expected to prove a negative and could

rely on the statutory inference. However, because the State had the burden of

proof, the jury would be free to accept or reject the inference in the context of

its evaluation of the evidence.

      Giving the State the favorable inference, it is clear the jury accepted

Detective Martinez's testimony the evidence gathered during the investigation

                                                                           A-5102-18
                                      41
revealed no gun permit for Clark. It is also obvious the jury properly applied

the jury instruction regarding the statutory inference. As the judge aptly noted,

the State was not required to do more to invoke the statutory presumption. We

discern no error.

                                      VI.

                                       A.

      Finally, both defendants challenge their sentences. Sentencing decisions

are discretionary in nature. State v. Cuff, 239 N.J. 321, 347 (2019). Therefore,

we review for an abuse of discretion. State v. Jones, 232 N.J. 308, 318 (2018).

We defer to the sentencing court's factual findings and should not "second-

guess" them. State v. Case, 220 N.J. 49, 65 (2014).

      "To facilitate meaningful appellate review, trial judges must explain how

they arrived at a particular sentence." Ibid. We will reverse a sentence where:

the findings of fact on the aggravating and mitigating factors were not based on

competent and credible evidence in the record; the court applied the incorrect

sentencing guidelines enunciated in the criminal code; or the application of the

facts to the law constituted such an error of judgment as to shock the judi cial

conscience. State v. Roth, 95 N.J. 334, 363-65 (1984).

                                                                           A-5102-18
                                      42
                                        B.

      Scurry asks us to remand his sentence because the trial judge failed to

explicitly address the fairness of imposing consecutive prison terms for his first-

degree murder and certain-persons convictions as required by State v. Torres,

246 N.J. 246, 270-73 (2021). The State agrees. For these reasons, we remand

for a statement regarding the overall fairness of Scurry's sentence as required by

Torres.

      We add, however, that the judge should also make findings under the State

v. Yarbough factors. 100 N.J. 627, 643-44 (1985). There, our Supreme Court

held when a court determines whether a sentence should be concurrent or

consecutive it should qualitatively weight the following factors:

            (a) the crimes and their objectives were predominantly
            independent of each other;

            (b) the crimes involved separate acts of violence or
            threats of violence;

            (c) the crimes were committed at different times or
            separate places, rather than being committed so closely
            in time and place as to indicate a single period of
            aberrant behavior;

            (d) any of the crimes involved multiple victims;

            (e) the convictions for which the sentences are to be
            imposed are numerous . . . .

                                                                             A-5102-18
                                       43
            [Torres, 246 N.J. at 264 (quoting Yarbough, 100 N.J. at
            643-44).]

      The judge's sentencing in Scurry's case lacks an assessment under Torres

and Yarbough. For these reasons, we remand and direct the judge to reconsider

Scurry's sentence by making the findings required under Torres and Yarbough.

Scurry does not otherwise challenge his sentence. Therefore, our remand is

circumscribed.

                                       C.

      Clark argues his sentence was excessive. He alleges the court gave too

much weight to aggravating factor three because his criminal record was not

substantial. He asserts to the extent the judge's finding of aggravating factor

nine relied on Clark's knowledge that the object he threw off the bridge was a

gun, the judge impermissibly double-counted elements of the offenses for which

he was convicted. He contends his eight-year sentence was unjustified and the

judge should have sentenced him to the minimum sentence of five years with

forty-two months of parole ineligibility.

      The trial judge observed that Clark, at thirty-two years of age, had three

arrests as a juvenile, including two diversions and one adjudication, and thirteen

arrests as an adult, including five ordinance violations and three disorderly

persons convictions.     Although the judge noted Clark had no indictable

                                                                            A-5102-18
                                       44
convictions he nonetheless "had repeated contact with the criminal justice

system[.]" Therefore, he found aggravating factor three—the risk he would

commit another offense, N.J.S.A. 2C:44-1(a)(3), applied and should be given

substantial weight.

      The trial judge found aggravating factor nine—the need for deterrence,

N.J.S.A. 2C:44-1(a)(9), because even assuming Clark initially believed he was

only doing a favor for a friend, he knowingly accepted the gun, with knowledge

of Scurry's criminal background. The judge noted Clark was friends with Scurry

and knew him for "a good portion of his life. He knows he's had a murder charge

before. . . . He knows he has an extensive criminal record, and he asked the jury

to believe, which they did not believe, that he handed him a package. And he

had no idea what was in there." The judge found:

                   Under the circumstances, as we know them,
            there's no way he didn't know that was a gun. Zero. No
            way.

                  ....

                    So what . . . is that saying about . . . the risk
            associated with this individual and the need for
            deterrence. That's the moment of nope. I'm not doing
            that. . . .

                  So even if he was willing to drive him here and
            drive him there at all ungodly hours of the morning, . . .
            the decision to take the gun from him, that's a

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            nonstarter. That's where deterrence comes in, because
            at some point, no matter who it is, you say no, and that's
            where deterrence comes in.

The trial judge found no mitigating factors and concluded the aggravating

factors clearly preponderated.

      As we noted, the judge sentenced Clark to an eight-year term, subject to a

four-year period of parole ineligibility pursuant to the Graves Act, N.J.S.A.

2C:43-6(c), on the unlawful possession count, concurrent to a flat four-year term

on the hindering count. He then merged the remaining counts into the unlawful

possession count and imposed appropriate fines and penalties.

      Clark's sentence was not an abuse of discretion. Both aggravating factors

were supported by the evidence in the record. The judge did not double-count

Clark's offense when he found aggravating factor nine. Although the judge

found Clark could not credibly claim ignorance that the object he disposed of

was a gun, the reasons for applying aggravating factor nine did not hinge on the

gun possession.   Rather, the judge was pointing out Clark's willingness to

commit the offenses given the circumstances.

      Clark received the midrange sentence on the unlawful possession count.

See N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6(a)(2) (sentencing range of between five and ten years for

second-degree offense). The sentence does not shock our judicial conscience.

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                                       46
      Affirmed in part and remanded in part in A-5102-18. Affirmed in A-2666-

20. We do not retain jurisdiction.

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