State of New Jersey v. Darwens H. Cadet ( 2024 )

NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE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 NO. A-1653-21
STATE OF NEW JERSEY,
Plaintiff-Respondent,
v.
DARWENS H. CADET,
Defendant-Appellant.
________________________
Argued April 30, 2024 – Decided July 10, 2024
Before Judges Gooden Brown and Natali.
On appeal from the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law
Division, Union County, Indictment No. 18-07-0396.
Lauren S. Michaels, Assistant Deputy Public Defender,
argued the cause for appellant (Jennifer N. Sellitti,
Public Defender, attorney; Lauren S. Michaels, of
counsel and on the briefs).
Kaili E. Matthews, Deputy Attorney General, argued
the cause for respondent (Matthew J. Platkin, Attorney
General, attorney; Kaili E. Matthews, of counsel and on
the brief).
PER CURIAM
Defendant was charged in a Union County indictment with first-degree
murder, N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3(a)(1) and (2) (count one); second-degree unlawful
possession of a weapon, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5(b) (count two); and second-degree
possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4(a) (count
three). Following a jury trial, defendant was convicted of all three charges.
After merger, he was sentenced to forty years in prison, subject to an eighty-five
percent period of parole ineligibility under the No Early Release Act (NERA),
N.J.S.A. 2C:43-7.2, on count one, and a concurrent seven-year term, with a
forty-two-month parole disqualifier, on count two.
The convictions stemmed from the fatal shooting of Brian Pierre in a 7-
Eleven parking lot in Linden at approximately 10:35 p.m. on April 17, 2018.
The evidence tying defendant to the shooting consisted of the murder weapon
seized by police from a vehicle defendant and others were about to enter and
surveillance footage depicting the shooter wearing distinctive Nike pants similar
to the pants defendant wore when he was taken to the Union County Prosecutor's
Office (UCPO) for questioning the night of the shooting. In his statement to
police, before invoking his right to remain silent, defendant admitted going to
the 7-Eleven earlier that evening and seeing Pierre. Although he also admitted
that he and Pierre did not get along, he denied any involvement in the shooting.
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None of the three eyewitnesses produced by the State at trial could identify the
shooter, and the forensic and physical evidence largely excluded defendant.
On appeal, defendant raises the following points for our consideration:
POINT I
INTERROGATORS FAILED TO SCRUPULOUSLY
HONOR [DEFENDANT'S] INVOCATION OF HIS
RIGHT TO SILENCE, INSTEAD EXTRACTING HIS
ASSENT TO LEADING QUESTIONS REGARDING
THE FAIRNESS OF POLICE TREATMENT OF HIM
AND THE VERACITY AND COMPLETENESS OF
HIS EARLIER STATEMENTS. THE WRONGFUL
ADMISSION OF VIDEO OF [DEFENDANT'S]
CONSTITUTIONAL INVOCATION AND POST-
INVOCATION STATEMENTS, PARTICULARLY
GIVEN THE LACK OF LIMITING INSTRUCTION,
REQUIRES REVERSAL.
A. Over Defense Objection, The Entire
Interrogation, Including [Defendant's]
Invocation and Post-Invocation Questioning,
Was Admitted At Trial.
B. [Defendant's] Invocation Of His Right To
Silence, As Well As The Post-Invocation
Interrogation, Were Inadmissible.
C. The Admission Of [Defendant's] Invocation And
Post-Invocation Interrogation Requires Reversal.
POINT II
BECAUSE IDENTIFICATION WAS THE CENTRAL
CONTESTED ISSUE AT TRIAL, THE COURT'S
INEXPLICABLE FAILURE TO CHARGE THE JURY
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ON IDENTIFICATION DENIED [DEFENDANT]
DUE PROCESS AND A FAIR TRIAL. (NOT RAISED
BELOW).
POINT III
THE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF THESE ERRORS
DENIED DEFENDANT DUE PROCESS AND A
FAIR TRIAL.
POINT IV
THE SENTENCE OF [FORTY] YEARS, [THIRTY-
FOUR] WITHOUT PAROLE, WAS IMPOSED
WITHOUT ALLOWING [DEFENDANT] TO
EXPLAIN HIS CONCERNS REGARDING HIS
ATTORNEY, WAS BASED ON FLAWED FINDINGS
OF AGGRAVATING AND MITIGATING FACTORS,
AND IS EXCESSIVE.
A. Resentencing Is Required Because The Court
Denied [Defendant] The Opportunity To Address
His Concerns With His Lawyer During The
Sentencing Hearing, Which Was A Structural
Error.
B. Resentencing Is Also Required Because The
Court Erred In Finding And Weighing
Aggravating And Mitigating Factors.
POINT V
RESENTENCING IS ALSO REQUIRED BECAUSE
ZUBER[1] SHOULD EXTEND TO [EIGHTEEN]
YEAR OLDS, LIKE [DEFENDANT], WHO SHARE
1
State v. Zuber, 227 N.J. 422 (2017).
A-1653-21
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THE SAME CHARACTERISTICS AS SLIGHTLY
YOUNGER JUVENILES. [2]
Because we agree that the cumulative effect of the errors described in
Points I and II deprived defendant of a fair trial, we reverse the convictions ,
vacate the sentence, and remand for a new trial. Given our decision, we need
not address the sentencing arguments.
I.
Following pre-trial motion practice, a seven-day trial was conducted on
divers dates between February 12 and February 26, 2020. During the trial, the
State produced seventeen witnesses, including civilians, law enforcement
personnel, and expert witnesses. Defendant did not testify and produced one
witness. We glean these facts from the trial record.
On the evening of April 17, 2018, Pierre and a group of friends, including
Marquise Randle and Sean Kelley, were socializing at the 7-Eleven on St.
Georges Avenue in Linden. Pierre, who was a party promoter, placed flyers for
an upcoming event on the counter near the register with the permission of Carl
Clanton, the store clerk. According to Clanton, a second group consisting of
two individuals entered the store after Pierre's group left and attempted to
2
The conclusory point headings have been omitted as superfluous.
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5
discard the flyers. However, Clanton retrieved the flyers and returned them to
the counter.
Later that night, Pierre and his friends returned to the store. As the end of
his shift approached, Clanton "shoo[ed] them" out of the store, following behind
them "to have a cigarette." Once outside, Clanton heard "[guns]hots fired."
Clanton immediately returned to the store, locked the door, and called the police.
Although Clanton did not see the shooter, he testified that the shooter was
wearing "a hoodie."
The store's surveillance footage, which was played for the jury, depicted
the shooter wearing a two-toned jacket with a hood, and dark pants with a light
stripe down the leg. In the footage, as the group exited, the shooter approached
them from behind a dumpster in the store's parking lot, shot at one individual,
followed him, and continued to shoot at him as he fell between two parked cars.
After firing multiple shots, the shooter fled on foot towards the road. The
twenty-nine-second black and white footage was time stamped 10:34 p.m.
Randle and Kelley exited the 7-Eleven into the parking lot with Pierre.
When the shooting started, each ran away in a different direction. Both men
testified at trial that they never saw the shooter. After the shooting stopped,
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Randle returned and saw Pierre "on the ground." By that time, police had arrived
at the scene.
Roselle Police Officer Anthony Bracey was the first officer to arrive at
the 7-Eleven. Upon finding Pierre unresponsive and "laying in the middle of
the parking lot face down," he immediately advised "dispatch to notify . . .
emergency units to [his] location." Once the paramedics arrived, Pierre was
transported to Trinitas Regional Medical Center where he succumbed to his
injuries. A subsequent autopsy revealed four gunshot wounds, one to the head
and three to the torso. Four bullets were recovered and the death was ruled a
homicide.
Among the officers who responded to the scene was Roselle Police Officer
Jaquan Spruill. Spruill canvassed the surrounding area, including the garden
apartments across the street from the 7-Eleven called the Oak Park apartment
complex located at Three Garden Drive. Spruill encountered three men walking
along the sidewalk of the apartment complex parking lot and ordered them to
stop. Two of the men, later identified as Jahmer and Jaivon Bethea, 3 complied
and stopped near the front and rear driver's side, respectively, of "a red Chevy
3
The Betheas are brothers whom we will refer to throughout the opinion by
first names to avoid confusion. We intend no disrespect.
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Impala." Before stopping, the men were "attempting to enter the vehicle." The
third individual, later identified as defendant, stood by "the front passenger side
of the vehicle" where Spruill's vision was partially obscured. Spruill therefore
directed defendant "to come back to the rear trunk of the vehicle." All four men
then awaited the arrival of backup officers.
Once backup officers arrived, Spruill questioned the three men about their
"whereabouts," obtained their pedigree information, and frisked them for
weapons with negative results. After their accounts were verified, the three men
were allowed to leave. However, instead of entering the Impala, the three men
told Spruill "they were going back into th[e] apartment building." Spruill noted
that defendant was wearing a "red-hooded sweatshirt" at the time.
Surveillance footage from the area captured the police encounter and was
played during the trial. After the three men left, Spruill continued to investigate
the area and observed in plain view "a black revolver handgun on
the . . . passenger side floor" of the red Chevy Impala. Once the handgun was
observed, the other investigating officers were promptly notified of the
discovery.
Prior to Spruill's discovery, in the course of the investigation, Sergeant
Carmen Olivera had questioned Rahmile Raynor, an occupant of apartment
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number 3D at the Oak Park apartment complex. An individual by the name of
Keon Orr was also in the apartment at the time. After Spruill observed the
handgun in the Impala, he and other officers went to apartment 3D where
defendant, Jahmer, Jaivon, Raynor, and Orr were located. All five men were
transported to the UCPO for questioning. According to Spruill, defendant was
"no longer wearing [the] red-hooded sweatshirt" worn during the initial stop but
was wearing "the same pants."
Crime Scene Unit Investigator Andrew Carew processed apartment 3D
and collected "a two-toned jacket" and "a red-hooded sweatshirt" from the
couch. Inside the jacket pocket was a birth certificate for Keon Orr and a wallet
containing multiple identification cards with Orr's name. Carew also located a
flyer on the "coffee table" in the living room. The flyer was one of the flyers
that had been left on the counter at the 7-Eleven. Additionally, Carew processed
the red Impala, that was registered to Jahmer, as well as the crime scene. He
collected soil samples by the dumpster in the 7-Eleven parking lot. Carew also
collected defendant's clothing, which included "Nike pants with the white stripe"
and black "Nike Jordan sneaker[s]."
Defendant's interrogation at the UCPO began at approximately 2:20 a.m.
on April 18, 2018. A video recording of the interrogation was played for the
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jury. Initially, defendant was administered Miranda4 warnings by UCPO
Sergeant Johnny Ho. After acknowledging that he understood his rights,
defendant agreed to give a statement and signed a form acknowledging the
waiver of his rights. Then, in response to investigators' questions, defendant
stated that he was eighteen years old, explained that he "live[d] with [his]
friend . . . Raynor" at the Oak Park apartment complex, and provided his
cellphone number.
When asked about his whereabouts on April 17, defendant informed
investigators that he had traveled from South River to Raynor's apartment in
Jahmer's red Chevy Impala. According to defendant, Jahmer drove while Jaivon
and defendant sat in the back seat. When they arrived, Raynor was not home
but Orr was there. Raynor arrived after defendant, Jahmer, Jaivon, and Orr
began playing video games.
Defendant confirmed that he had been wearing "[b]lack and white" Nike
pants with "stripes going down" "the sides," Nike Jordan sneakers, and a "True
Religion" "red hoodie," "[t]he same one" he was wearing when he had been
stopped by Spruill. He explained that the red hoodie was still on the couch at
the apartment. When asked whether he had left the apartment at any time,
4
Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966).
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defendant responded that he had "left the apartment," "went out to 7-Eleven,"
and "[t]hen came back." Defendant said "[he] didn't buy anything" at the 7-
Eleven "because when [he] went there, [he] seen some people . . . [he] don't
associate with" and thought he was going to "get jumped." According to
defendant, he returned to the apartment, warned the others, and started playing
video games. About thirty minutes later, when he, Jahmer, and Jaivon were
about to return to South River, they were stopped by Spruill. After they were
released, they returned to the apartment.
When questioned further about going into the 7-Eleven, defendant
explained that "[t]here[ was] a group of people shelling out flyers." Defendant
stated that "one person" in particular, whom he identified by his street name,
"Kraft," was "in the aisle passing out flyers" to "some music thing." Defendant
said "[he] don't mess with" Kraft. Fearing that Kraft was "probably gonna try
and jump [him]," defendant left the 7-Eleven, "hopped in the Impala" that was
parked out front, and returned to the apartment where he warned the others to
not "leave th[e] house." "Kraft" was Pierre's street name.
When investigators pressed defendant for details about what occurred in
the 7-Eleven parking lot after Pierre exited the store, defendant invoked his right
to silence in the following exchange:
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[SERGEANT HO]: Did anything happen between you
and anybody else outside in the parking lot?
[DEFENDANT]: Nah.
[SERGEANT HO]: You sure?
[DEFENDANT]: I'm positive.
[SERGEANT HO]: Okay. Um, are you sure?
[DEFENDANT]: I'm positive. Nothing happened in
the parking lot. I hopped in the Impala and dipped off.
[SERGEANT HO]: Something happened in the
parking lot and as a result of that somebody ended up
in the hospital. It's best for you to tell us what
happened.
[DEFENDANT]: I told you I don't know what
happened.
[SERGEANT HO]: Something happened in the
parking lot.
[DEFENDANT]: I don't wanna talk (inaudible).
[SERGEANT HO]: You don't wanna talk anymore?
[DEFENDANT]: Nah.
[SERGEANT HO]: No; okay. Did we threaten you in
any way?
[DEFENDANT]: Nah.
[SERGEANT HO]: You have any complaints as to how
you were treated today?
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[DEFENDANT]: Nah.
[SERGEANT HO]: Okay. We're . . .
[DEFENDANT]: Yeah, you . . .
[SERGEANT HO]: How did we treat you today?
[DEFENDANT]: Everything was fair. Reasonable.
[SERGEANT HO]: Okay. Fair enough. You swear
that everything you told us is the truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth?
[DEFENDANT]: Yes.
[SERGEANT HO]: All right. Thank you.
[(Emphasis added).]
The handgun recovered from the Impala was subsequently tested by Union
County Police Department Lieutenant Michael Sandford, who was qualified as
an expert in the field of forensic firearm identification. Sandford determined
that "the firearm [was] operable" and opined that the four projectiles collected
during the investigation were fired from the firearm. The gun was also analyzed
for fingerprint comparisons by Crime Scene Unit Sergeant Adrian Gardner, who
was qualified as an expert in the area of pattern evidence examination. Gardner
testified that although the print taken from "the frame of the firearm" had
"enough features to be compared" to defendant's known prints, her "findings
A-1653-21
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were inconclusive." However, a comparison of a latent print taken from "the
adhesive side of the tape" that was "removed from the grip" of the gun
"excluded" defendant "as the source of th[e] impression." 5
The State's DNA expert, Forensic Scientist Frank Basile, testified that he
examined "swabbings" from the firearm's "cylinder," "hammer," "grip,"
"frame," and "trigger" for traces of DNA. Of all the surfaces, Basile was only
able to conduct DNA comparisons on the "cylinder pin." According to Basile,
the "genetic information" obtained from the cylinder pin was a mixture,
indicating at least two individuals contributed to the DNA. Basile tested the
genetic information from the cylinder pin against buccal swabs from both
defendant and Jaivon. He testified that Jaivon could not be excluded as "a
possible contributor" to the mixture of DNA, but defendant was specifically
"excluded as being a possible contributor."
The State also produced Federal Bureau of Investigation Forensic
Examiner Ian Saginor, who was qualified as an expert geologist forensic
examiner. Saginor compared the soil collected from defendant's shoes with soil
samples collected from the parking lot of the 7-Eleven and determined that the
5
The parties stipulated that defendant was not licensed by the State to own or
carry a firearm.
A-1653-21
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soil samples did not match. Saginor attributed the results to several possibilities,
including that "the shoes[] were not present at th[e] location," that the shoes
were "present[] but . . . no . . . soil[] . . . transferred" to the shoes, or that the soil
"was transferred" to the shoes but "later fell off." Sergeant Gardner had also
compared "three footwear impressions" collected from the crime scene to
defendant's Nike Air Jordan sneakers. She concluded that although "there was
an association of class characteristics," it "lacked any individual characteristics"
to "reach an identification decision."
Finally, the State produced UCPO Detective Nicholas Falcicchio, who
was qualified as an expert in historical cell site analysis. Falcicchio analyzed a
phone number provided by defendant during the police interrogation and
concluded that "the general location of the device" between 4:00 p.m. and 5:00
p.m. on April 17, 2018, was South River. Falcicchio further testified that at 8:27
p.m. on April 17, an incoming call was received on that phone "in the vicinity
of South River," and at 9:24 p.m., an outgoing call was placed while "the device
[was] in the Roselle general area." Additionally, a 10:26 p.m. incoming call
showed the device was still located in the Roselle area.
After the State rested, defendant moved for judgment of acquittal pursuant
to Rule 3:18-1, which motion was denied by the trial judge. After the jury
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returned a verdict of guilty on all counts, defendant was sentenced on January
15, 2021, and an amended conforming judgment of conviction was entered on
January 22, 2021. This appeal followed.
II.
In Point I, defendant argues it was error for the judge to permit the playing
before the jury of his invocation of his right to remain silent as well as "the
portion of the statement made after police failed to honor [his] right to silence."
According to defendant, the error was compounded by the judge's failure "to
provide a limiting instruction." Defendant asserts that "given the nature of the
State's circumstantial case, . . . the erroneous inclusion of the invocation and
statements thereafter violated [his] rights against self-incrimination, and to due
process and a fair trial, requiring reversal."
In State v. Clark, 251 N.J. 266 (2022), our Supreme Court articulated the
principles governing a defendant's right against self-incrimination under the
Fifth Amendment and our common law as follows:
The Fifth Amendment of the United States
Constitution, applicable to the States through the
Fourteenth Amendment, see State in Int. of A.A., 240
N.J. 341, 351 (2020), guarantees that "[n]o
person . . . shall be compelled in any criminal case to
be a witness against himself," U.S. Const. amend. V.
Although not included in the New Jersey Constitution,
the right against self-incrimination is deeply rooted in
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New Jersey common law and is codified by statute and
the Rules of Evidence. See N.J.S.A. 2A:84A-19;
N.J.R.E. 503.
In Miranda v. Arizona, the United States
Supreme Court held that individuals who are "subjected
to police interrogation while in custody . . . or
otherwise deprived of [their] freedom of action in any
significant way" must be appropriately advised of
certain rights so as to not offend the right against self-
incrimination. 384 U.S. at 477-79. Miranda warnings
include advice as to the right to remain silent and of the
right to the presence of an attorney during any
questioning. Id. at 479. Pursuant to Miranda, if an
"individual indicates in any manner, at any time prior
to or during questioning, that he wishes to remain
silent, the interrogation must cease." Id. at 473-74.
Furthermore, "[i]f the individual states that he wants an
attorney, the interrogation must cease until an attorney
is present." Id. at 474.
[Clark, 251 N.J. at 291-92 (alterations and omissions in
original).]
Harkening back to State v. Feaster, 156 N.J. 1 (1998), the Clark Court
reaffirmed that in situations where a suspect waives his or her Miranda rights
and agrees to speak to law enforcement, but later invokes his or her rights during
the interrogation, "'trial courts should endeavor to excise any reference to a
criminal defendant's invocation . . .' from the statement that the jury hears."
Clark, 251 N.J. at 292 (quoting Feaster, 156 N.J. at 75-76). However, "'[a] trial
court's failure to follow the Feaster stricture of excision or a cautionary
A-1653-21
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instruction does not necessarily equate to reversible or plain error '; rather, a
harmful error analysis is warranted to determine whether the defendant was
deprived of a fair trial." Ibid. (quoting State v. Tung, 460 N.J. Super. 75, 94-95
(App. Div. 2019)).
As such, in Feaster, the Court found no reversible error where the
defendant's statement to an investigator, that included his invocation of his right
to counsel, was admitted at trial over defense counsel's objection. 156 N.J. at
73-74, 77. The invocation was permitted to explain how the interview ended.
Id. at 74. Although the Court determined that the trial court "should have
provided a cautionary instruction to prevent the jury from drawing any
unfavorable inferences against defendant's invocation of his right to counsel,"
[n]onetheless, [it] conclude[d] that the trial court's
actions did not amount to reversible error. First, [the
Court] note[d] the fleeting nature of the reference to
defendant's invocation of his right to counsel.
Additionally, the prosecutor did not comment on the
matter during summation. Moreover, the [trial] court
provided an emphatic instruction to the jury that it not
in any way hold defendant's failure to testify against
him. Although that instruction did not relate directly to
defendant's invocation of his right to counsel, it did
impart to the jury the respect to be accorded defendant's
decision to remain silent. The convergence of those
factors, in addition to defendant's failure to request a
cautionary instruction, persuade[d] [the Court] that this
jury was unlikely to have drawn any unfavorable
A-1653-21
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inferences against defendant that jeopardized his
fundamental right to a fair trial.
[Id. at 76-77.]
In contrast, in Clark, the Court overturned a murder conviction because it
determined it was plain error "to play for the jury" the portion of the defendant's
statement to the detective where the defendant "invoked his right to counsel" but
the detective "continued questioning him." 251 N.J. at 293-94. According to
the Court, although the forty-one minutes of questioning prior to the invocation
was clearly admissible, instead of ending the interview after the defendant
invoked his right to counsel, the detective "continued to press defendant about
his alibi." Id. at 294. The Court explained that the "error was further
emphasized by the prosecutor's comments in summation" that the detective
"'practically begged' defendant for information on his alibi." Id. at 294-95. The
Court concluded that "[g]iven the State's circumstantial case, allowing all that
to go before the jury was clearly capable of producing an unjust result ,"
particularly since the statement was played for the jury not once, but twice—
once during the trial and once during deliberations. Ibid.
Similarly, in Tung, 460 N.J. at 94-95, we held that allowing the jury to
hear the two instances of defendant's invocation of counsel constituted plain
error. We determined the error, along with others, cumulatively "deprived
A-1653-21
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defendant of a fair trial," requiring the reversal of his murder and related
convictions. Id. at 104. We reasoned:
Here, the trial court neither excised the two
references in the record to defendant invoking his right
to counsel to end the interrogation, nor provided a
cautionary instruction following a determination that
inclusion of the references was necessary to avoid juror
confusion. Given the longstanding standard of Feaster
and the constitutional dimension of defendant's right to
counsel, the trial court should have addressed this issue
regardless of whether defense counsel objected.
Standing alone, these references without a cautionary
instruction might not constitute plain error. Combined
with other errors, however, they had the clear capacity
to undermine the verdict.
[Tung, 460 N.J. Super. at 94-95.]
Although Feaster, Clark, and Tung concerned the right to counsel, our
Supreme Court has previously explained that under our case law, a violation of
either the right to counsel or the right to silence is treated the same for purposes
of a constitutional violation. State v. Hartley, 103 N.J. 252, 277 (1986). Indeed,
"a failure scrupulously to honor an asserted right to silence is as much a
constitutional violation as is a failure to honor a previously-invoked right to
counsel." Ibid. The Court "has reaffirmed time and time again that '[t]he
privilege against self-incrimination . . . is one of the most important protections
of the criminal law,' and has afforded the state privilege broader protection than
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its Fifth Amendment counterpart." Clark, 251 N.J. at 292 (alteration and
omission in original) (citation omitted) (quoting State v. Presha, 163 N.J. 304,
312 (2000)).
Here, the admissibility of defendant's recorded statement was decided by
a different judge following a pre-trial Miranda hearing during which Sergeant
Ho testified consistent with his trial testimony. After the hearing, the judge
credited Ho's testimony and determined that "the State ha[d] met its burden
to . . . prove beyond a reasonable doubt that [defendant] waived his rights
knowingly, intelligently[,] and voluntarily," and "proceeded to give a
[voluntary] statement." Accordingly, the motion judge concluded that the
statement would be admitted at trial.
On appeal, defendant does not challenge the judge's substantive ruling that
the pre-invocation portion of his statement was admissible. Instead, defendant
contends his invocation of his right to remain silent and the subsequent
questioning by investigators regarding his treatment and the truthfulness of his
statement should have been excised before the statement was played for the jury.
However, as the State points out, defendant did not expressly object to the
admission of the invocation nor the subsequent questioning. Likewise,
defendant did not object to the judge's failure to give a cautionary instruction.
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When a party does not object to an alleged trial error or otherwise properly
preserve the issue for appeal, we may nonetheless consider whether it rises to
the level of plain error under Rule 2:10-2. See Clark, 251 N.J. at 286-87.
Plain error "is a 'high bar,' requiring reversal only where the possibility of
an injustice is 'real' and 'sufficient to raise a reasonable doubt as to whether the
error led the jury to a result it otherwise might not have reached.'" State v.
Alessi, 240 N.J. 501, 527 (2020) (citations omitted) (first quoting State v.
Santamaria, 236 N.J. 390, 404 (2019); and then quoting State v. Macon, 57 N.J.
325, 336 (1971)). "The 'high standard' used in plain error analysis 'provides a
strong incentive for counsel to interpose a timely objection, enabling the trial
court to forestall or correct a potential error.'" Santamaria, 236 N.J. at 404(quoting State v. Bueso, 225 N.J. 193, 203 (2016)).
"The mere possibility of an unjust result is not enough." State v.
Funderburg, 225 N.J. 66, 79 (2016). "In the context of a jury trial, the possibility
must be 'sufficient to raise a reasonable doubt as to whether the error led the jury
to a result it otherwise might not have reached.'" State v. G.E.P., 243 N.J. 362,
389-90 (2020) (quoting State v. Jordan, 147 N.J. 409, 422 (1997)); see also State
v. Dunbrack, 245 N.J. 531, 544 (2021) ("The plain error standard requires a
twofold determination: (1) whether there was error; and (2) whether that error
A-1653-21
22
was 'clearly capable of producing an unjust result.'" (quoting R. 2:10-2)). "To
determine whether an alleged error rises to the level of plain error, it 'must be
evaluated "in light of the overall strength of the State's case."'" Clark, 251 N.J.
at 287 (quoting State v. Sanchez-Medina, 231 N.J. 452, 468 (2018)).
Here, defendant gave a voluntary statement after waiving his Miranda
rights. Defendant's recorded statement, including his invocation and the
subsequent questioning, was played twice for the jury—once during Ho's trial
testimony and a second time during deliberations in response to jury questions.
Further, although defendant and the State have divergent views on the
characterization of the evidence in the case as "circumstantial," no eyewitness
identified defendant as the shooter, the surveillance video footage does not
clearly identify the shooter, and the forensic and physical evidence largely
excluded defendant or incriminated others.
We agree with defendant that admission of his invocation and the
subsequent questioning was clearly error. The question is whether the error was
"clearly capable of producing an unjust result," R. 2:10-2, to rise to the level of
plain error. We acknowledge that the prosecuting attorney did not refer to
defendant's invocation of silence or the subsequent questioning by direct or
indirect comment. Cf. Clark, 251 N.J. at 279, 281-82. We also note that while
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not directly related to defendant's invocation, as in Feaster, the judge instructed
the jury to not consider defendant's decision to remain silent and not testify at
trial.
Nonetheless, because the State's proofs were entirely circumstantial, no
eyewitness identified defendant as the shooter, and misidentification was central
to the defense, we are convinced that, in conjunction with the judge's failure to
give an identification instruction, which we will discuss next, it is likely and
reasonable that "'the error led the jury to a result it otherwise might not have
reached.'" G.E.P., 243 N.J. at 390 (quoting Jordan, 147 N.J. at 422).
In Point II, defendant argues for the first time on appeal that the judge
erred in omitting the identification instructions applicable when there is no in-
or out-of-court identification offered because "[t]he key issue in th[e] case was
identification." Without the proper instructions, defendant submits "the State's
burden of proof" was "lessen[ed]," defendant's "right to present a defense" was
"diminish[ed]," and defendant was "denied his rights to due process and a fair
trial." Because defendant did not object to the omission of the charge, we again
review for plain error.
In the context of a jury charge, "'plain error requires demonstration of
"legal impropriety in the charge prejudicially affecting the substantial rights of
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the defendant and sufficiently grievous to justify notice by the reviewing court
and to convince the court that of itself the error possessed a clear capacity to
bring about an unjust result."'" State v. Montalvo, 229 N.J. 300, 321 (2017)
(quoting State v. Chapland, 187 N.J. 275, 289 (2006)). Certain jury instructions
are so crucial to a jury's deliberations that error is presumed to be reversible.
State v. McKinney, 223 N.J. 475, 495 (2015). "An erroneous jury charge 'when
the subject matter is fundamental and essential or is substantially material' is
almost always considered prejudicial." State v. Maloney, 216 N.J. 91, 104-05
(2013) (quoting State v. Green, 86 N.J. 281, 291 (1981)).
In State v. Davis, 363 N.J. Super. 556, 561 (App. Div. 2003), we
summarized the importance of an identification charge as follows:
The seminal decision on the need for identification
instructions is [State v. Green]. There, the court stated
that a request for jury instructions shall be granted
when those instructions relate to "essential and
fundamental issues and those dealing with substantially
material points." Id. at 290; accord State v. Robinson,
165 N.J. 32, 40 (2000); State v. Cromedy, 158 N.J. 112,
128 (1999). And because a defendant may "justifiably
assume that fundamental matters will be covered in the
charge," Green, 86 N.J. at 288, the failure to give such
an instruction, even when not requested, may constitute
reversible error. [State v. Pierce, 330 N.J. Super. 479,
487-90 (App. Div. 2000)]. While it is possible that the
corroborative evidence against a defendant may be
sufficiently strong that the failure to give an
identification instruction does not constitute plain
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error, State v. Salaam, 225 N.J. Super. 66, 70 (App.
Div. 1988), as a matter of general procedure a model
identification charge should be given in every case in
which identification is a legitimate issue. State v.
Copling, 326 N.J. Super. 417, 434 (App. Div. 1999),
certif. denied, 164 N.J. 189 (2000); State v. Gaskin, 325
N.J. Super. 563, 573 (App. Div. 1999), certif. denied,
164 N.J. 190 (2000). The failure to give such a charge
or to give an adequate charge is most often reversible
error. [Pierce, 330 N.J. Super. at 487-90]; State v.
Malloy, 324 N.J. Super. 525 (App. Div. 1999); State v.
McNeil, 303 N.J. Super. 266 (App. Div. 1997); State v.
Frey, 194 N.J. Super. 326 (App. Div. 1984). While in
some instances it may not be necessary to present an
extended charge on identification, nevertheless, the
complete absence of any reference to identification as
an issue or as an essential element of the State's case is
improper.
"Identification becomes a key issue when '[i]t [is] the major . . . thrust of
the defense,' particularly in cases where the State relies on a single victim-
eyewitness." State v. Cotto, 182 N.J. 316, 325 (2005) (alterations and omission
in original) (citations omitted) (quoting Green, 86 N.J. at 291); see also Frey,
194 N.J. Super. at 329 ("The absence of any eyewitness other than the victim
and defendant's denial of guilt, made it essential for the court to instruct the jury
on identification.").
In Davis, the defendant was convicted of drug possession and distribution
related charges. 363 N.J. Super. at 558. "Although the trial court gave general
instructions on such things as credibility and the elements of the crimes charged,
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there was no specific instruction on the State's burden to prove identification
beyond a reasonable doubt" despite the "defense's claim of misidentification."
Id. at 561. On appeal, the defendant challenged "the trial court's failure to
instruct the jury on identification." Id. at 559. We determined the omission
constituted plain error and reversed, concluding that even though "[a]n extended
instruction on identification was not necessary on the . . . facts," the "complete
absence of any reference to identification as an issue or as an essential element
of the State's case [was] improper." Id. at 561-62. We explained that although
the defense's claim of misidentification was "thin," it "was not specious." Id. at
561. Further, "[a] jury is at liberty to reject a meritless defense, but trial courts
are not at liberty to withhold an instruction, particularly when that instruction
addresses the sole basis for defendant's claim of innocence and it goes to an
essential element of the State's case." Id. at 561-62.
In Cotto, the trial court failed to mention "identification" in its jury
instructions, despite misidentification being an issue and a defense in the
defendant's trial on robbery, burglary, and related charges. 182 N.J. at 322, 326-
27. Although the Cotto Court determined that "identification was a 'key issue,'"
id. at 326 (citing Green, 86 N.J. at 291), it concluded that the trial court's
instructions to the jury did not constitute plain error despite lacking "the word
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'identification,'" id. at 327. The Court explained that "[t]he determination of
plain error depends on the strength and quality of the State's corroborative
evidence rather than on whether defendant's misidentification argument is
convincing." Id. at 326.
The Court reasoned that
despite the trial court's failure to provide a detailed
identification instruction, the trial court did specifically
explain to the jury that the State bears the burden of
proving beyond a reasonable doubt "each and every
element of the offense, including that of the defendant's
presence at the scene of the crime and his participation
in the crime."
[Ibid.]
Therefore, given the State's "significant corroborating evidence," as well as the
fact that the jury was instructed that "the State bears the burden of proving
beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is the wrongdoer," the Cotto Court
found no plain error in the less detailed instruction given at trial. Id. at 327.
Here, although the judge's instructions repeatedly referenced the State's
burden to prove its case or the specific elements of the crimes charged "beyond
a reasonable doubt," like Davis, there was no mention of the State's burden to
prove identity beyond a reasonable doubt. As defendant points out, the judge
did not provide the following Model Jury Charge:
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(Defendant), as part of his/her general denial of
guilt, contends that the State has not presented
sufficient reliable evidence to establish beyond a
reasonable doubt that he/she is the person who
committed the alleged offense. The burden of proving
the identity of the person who committed the crime is
upon the State. For you to find this defendant guilty,
the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that
this defendant is the person who committed the crime.
The defendant has neither the burden nor the duty to
show that the crime, if committed, was committed by
someone else, or to prove the identity of that other
person. You must determine, therefore, not only
whether the State has proven each and every element of
the offense charged beyond a reasonable doubt, but also
whether the State has proven beyond a reasonable doubt
that this defendant is the person who committed it.
[Model Jury Charges (Criminal), "Identification: No
In- or Out-Of-Court Identification" (approved Oct. 26,
2015).]
In Clark, our Supreme Court specified that an identification charge
"should be given to the jury on remand." 251 N.J. at 288-89. The Court pointed
out that "although the trial court's failure to give the charge, standing alone, did
not 'possess[ ] a clear capacity to bring about an unjust result,' the charge should
be given on remand because this is a case in which there was no identification
by any witnesses." Ibid. (alteration in original) (citation omitted) (quoting State
v. Afanador, 151 N.J. 41, 54 (1997)).
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Similarly, here, although we may not have been convinced that the
omission of the identification charge, standing alone, rises to the level of plain
error, in conjunction with the erroneous admission of defendant's invocation of
his right to silence and the ensuing questioning, we believe that reversal of the
convictions is warranted. "We have recognized in the past that even when an
individual error or series of errors does not rise to reversible error, when
considered in combination, their cumulative effect can cast sufficient doubt on
a verdict to require reversal." State v. Jenewicz, 193 N.J. 440, 473 (2008). Such
is the case here.
"Our obligation is to ensure that defendant had a fair trial . . . ." Ibid."When assessing whether defendant has received a fair trial, we must consider
the impact of trial error on defendant's ability fairly to present his defense . . . ."
Ibid. Here, "[w]e hold that the errors' cumulative impact prejudiced the fairness
of defendant's trial and, therefore, casts doubt on the propriety of the jury verdict
that was the product of that trial." Id. at 474. Accordingly, we reverse the
convictions, vacate the sentence, and remand for a new trial. Based on our
decision, we need not address defendant's remaining arguments.
Reversed and remanded for further proceedings consistent with this
opinion. We do not retain jurisdiction.
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