State v. Carlos Rivera ( 2021 )

June 29, 2021
Supreme Court
No. 2019-196-C.A.
(P1/16-2067A)
(Concurrence begins on page 15)
State :
v. :
Carlos Rivera. :
NOTICE: This opinion is subject to formal revision before
publication in the Rhode Island Reporter. Readers are requested to
notify the Opinion Analyst, Supreme Court of Rhode Islan d, 250
Benefit Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02903, at Telephone
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typographical or other formal errors in order that corrections m ay
be made before the opinion is published.
Supreme Court
No. 2019-196-C.A.
(P1/16-2067A)
(Concurrence begins on page 15)
State :
v. :
Carlos Rivera. :
Present: Suttell, C.J., Goldberg, Robinson, Lynch Prata, and Long, JJ.
OPINION
Justice Lynch Prata, for the Court. The defendant, Carlos Rivera, appeals
from an October 15, 2018 judgment of conviction and commitment entered against
him in the Providence County Superior Court on one cou nt of first -degree child
molestation sexual assault and two counts of second-degree child molestation
sexual assault. The defendant’s sole contention on appeal is th at t he t rial ju stice
erred by unfairly limiting the testimony of a defen se wit ness, t hereby violating
defendant’s constitutional right to present a full and fair defense. For t he reasons
set forth in this opinion, we affirm the judgment of the Superior Court.
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Facts and Travel
This case was initiated by the allegations of the complaining witness,
Allison,1 that defendant, her step-grandfather, had sexually molested her on
multiple occasions between July 18, 2013, and July 17, 2015. On Ju ly 8, 2016,
defendant was indicted by a grand jury on the following counts, all relating to
Allison, who was fourteen years of age or younger when the alleged incidents
occurred: sexual penetration, to wit, penile/vaginal penetration (count one); sexual
contact, to wit, hand to breast (count two); sexual contact, to wit, hand to bu ttocks
(count three); and sexual contact, to wit, hand to vaginal area (count four).
In June 2018, a jury trial was held in the Superior Court. Prior t o t rial, t he
state moved in limine to preclude any reference at trial to the immigration status of
any of the witnesses (including defendant) or concerning immigration proceedings
relative to any of the witnesses.2 At the hearing, the state argued that such
references would be irrelevant to the instant case. The state further explained that,
if such references were permitted, the trial would “turn in to a m in i immigration
proceeding regarding the status of [defendant]” and would potentially “play[] upon
any sympathies of the jury.” The state also contended that, based on t he m inimal
1
The complaining witness was a minor when the alleged acts of molestation
occurred; accordingly, we will use the pseudonym “Allison” to refer to her.
2
Although several different pretrial motions were presented to the trial justice, t he
pretrial motion with respect to the immigration status of the witnesses is t h e on ly
issue that has been pressed on appeal.
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documentation as to defendant’s immigration proceedings provided t o t he st ate,
any purported proceedings were “far attenuat[ed] from this case[.]”
Defense counsel responded that the “immigration st atus an d proceedings
* * * form the genesis of the[] allegations against [defendant].” He asserted that he
should be allowed to question Allison about whether she was aware of the
immigration proceedings that involved both defendant and her grandmother,
Amanda DeLeone, which proceedings had taken place just three weeks before
Allison made her accusation of sexual molestation against defendant. Defen se
counsel added that the purpose of such questioning would not be to in t roduce t he
contents of those proceedings, but rather simply to use the existence of those
proceedings and the events that occurred thereafter to demonstrate Allison’s
knowledge of “how Ms. DeLeone perceived those events * * * [an d] h er st ate of
mind after those events”—particularly with respect to Ms. DeLeone’s feelings
toward defendant. Defense counsel added that to deny defendant the opportunity
to question Allison as to her knowledge about the immigration proceedings “would
be to deny a fundamental right of cross-examination.”
The trial justice ruled that he would permit defense counsel to cross-examine
Allison on “foundational question[s]”—namely, wh ether sh e was aware of t h e
immigration proceedings in which Ms. DeLeone and defendant h ad participated.
Defense counsel replied to the trial justice that, if Allison “is n ot aware of an y of
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these proceedings, and does say no, that would be the end of it.” The t rial ju stice
added that he would postpone ruling on the motion in limine as it pert ain ed t o t he
testimony of a particular defense witness—Allison’s aunt, Jackelyn Rivera3—until
the conclusion of the state’s case. Allison then began her testimony.
On direct examination, Allison testified that, at the time of t h e in cidents at
issue, she was eleven or twelve years old and she lived in Central Falls, Rhode
Island. She stated that she lived there with h er m other, h er younger sist er, h er
grandmother (Ms. DeLeone), and defendant, who was at that time married t o Ms.
DeLeone.4
Allison testified that, on a typical afternoon when she was eleven or t welve
years old, she would return home from school, eat a snack in the kitchen, an d t hen
would make her way to the bedroom “because there [were] t oys t here.” Allison
stated that, on one occasion, defendant, who had also been in the kitchen, followed
her into the bedroom. She testified that, once inside the bedroom, defendant
engaged in sexual intercourse with her. She added: “He told me * * * what he was
going to do is normal and * * * to not say anything.” She stated that, although sh e
told him to stop, she did not yell for anyone because she was scared.
3
For the sake of clarity, we shall hereafter refer to Jackelyn Rivera sim ply by h er
first name. We intend no disrespect.
4
Allison also testified that Jackelyn sometimes lived at t he Central Falls h ome
with them.
-4-
Allison testified that defendant had sexually assaulted her “[s]ix times,
seven[,]” and she testified as to what had taken place during some of those
incidents. She added that, on at least one other occasion, defendant told her n ot t o
tell anyone. Allison stated that, despite defendant’s adm onitions, wh en sh e was
thirteen years old, she told her younger sister and her pediatrician about what
defendant had done to her.5 Allison testified that, after speaking to her
pediatrician, she spoke to “[a] lot of people[,]” in cluding representatives of t h e
Department of Children, Youth, and Families; officers from the police department;
and several medical professionals.
During cross-examination, Allison testified about her relationship wit h h er
grandmother, Ms. DeLeone. She stated that she was “not really close t o h er” an d
that, even though her grandmother “took care of” her, they “never really t alked.”
Her testimony consisted of the following:
“[DEFENSE COUNSEL:] Do you remember a time t hat
your grandmother was mad at Carlos because of some
issues regarding her ability to live here?
“[THE WITNESS:] No.
“[DEFENSE COUNSEL:] Do you remember she went
up to * * * Boston at one time and they told her she
would have to leave the country?
“[THE WITNESS:] No.
5
Allison testified that, although she did not discuss with her mother what
defendant had done to her, she did tell her mother, one week before sh e t old h er
pediatrician about defendant, about instances of criminal sexual con duct against
her in which her father had allegedly engaged. Allison added that h er m other did
not believe her.
-5-
“[DEFENSE COUNSEL:] You don’t remember that?
“[THE WITNESS:] No.”
At the conclusion of the state’s case-in-chief, the trial justice, adhering to his
previously stated intention, revisited the state’s original motion in limine, wh ich
had sought to preclude any references to the immigration status of any of the
witnesses, now focusing on the motion solely as it pertained to the proposed
testimony of Jackelyn, a defense witness, who was the daughter of defen dant an d
Ms. DeLeone.
In arguing against the state’s motion, defense counsel made an offer of proof
as to the testimony he expected to elicit from Jackelyn. He st ated t hat Jackelyn
would testify that she had lived with Ms. DeLeone, Allison’s mother, and Allison
for a number of years, during which time Ms. DeLeone freely discussed her
immigration status. Defense counsel further stated that Jackelyn would testify that,
on January 26, 2016, she and Ms. DeLeone had gone to Boston and, on t hat dat e,
Ms. DeLeone received updated information as to the status of certain immigration
proceedings that involved her.6
During defense counsel’s argument, the trial justice inquired as follows:
“While I understand you can bring up information of
bias, prejudice, other types of motive, the only way under
our rules you can do that is if it’s evidence that is
6
The defendant also participated in immigration proceedings in Boston on January
26, 2016, but he did not travel there with Ms. DeLeone. They had been divorced
well before that date.
-6-
admissible to go before the jury. * * * What is the
exception to the hearsay rule that a witness that you
would call would be able to testify about som ething sh e
heard some other family member say that wasn’t the
[d]efendant?”
Defense counsel contended that Jackelyn would testify as to Ms. DeLeon e’s st ate
of mind that she “was upset about the outcome of t h ose proceedings” and t hat,
during the car ride home from Boston, she “blamed [defendant] for the handling of
those [immigration] proceedings.” Defense counsel indicated that Jackelyn wou ld
testify that Ms. DeLeone spoke freely in her home about her im migration st atus.
He argued that, if allowed to hear this testimony, the jury cou ld consider it t o be
circumstantial evidence of “a motive for [Allison] to fabricate these
allegations * * * merely three weeks after” the immigration proceedings had t aken
place. Defense counsel added that, because the proposed testimony “goes t o t he
basis of why [Allison] would fabricate the allegations against [defendant,]” said
testimony was “key and central” to the defense’s theory of the case. Defense
counsel further argued that “a motive to fabricate is always relevant as discrediting
the witness or affecting the weight of his or her testimony.”
The state argued that, because none of the information concerning the
immigration proceedings was relevant to the case at hand, Jackelyn should be
precluded from making any references to the immigration status of any of the
witnesses or to the immigration proceedings in general. The state further
-7-
paraphrased the language of Rule 602 of the Rhode Island Rules of Evidence when
he stated: “[A] witness cannot testify to any matter unless evidence is in t roduced
sufficient to support a finding that the witness had personal knowledge of the
matter.” The state argued that, because there was no eviden ce t hat Jackelyn h ad
any personal knowledge as to whether Allison knew about “any immigration
proceedings or anything that was going on at that time for her grandmother * * * or
the [d]efendant,” she should not be permitted to testify about what Allison m ight
have known about such proceedings.
In partially granting the state’s motion in limine with respect t o Jackelyn’s
testimony, the trial justice stated:
“This is a very different situation. Now the
[s]tate’s case is over. This is a witn ess being called by
the [d]efendant. That the proffer is that * * * —this
witness for the [d]efendant is going t o raise an issu e of
somehow bias or motivation for the complaining witness
to be untruthful, again understanding that the
complaining witness has already denied an y knowledge
of it. But, more importantly, what has been proffered at
this point in order to raise evidence before the jury, there
needs to be admissible evidence which is an exception to
the hearsay rule. While I understand counsel makes a
very artful argument that well, the information should be
considered by the jury, not for the truth of the matter
asserted, which basically means they’re not going to
consider it for what it actually says, but maybe the results
of what it says.
“The Court finds that does not rise t o t h e level of
admissible evidence before the ju ry t hat can m ake t his
determination.” (Emphasis added.)
-8-
Having addressed the threshold question of the admissibility of Jackelyn ’s
proposed testimony concerning the immigration proceedings—and con cluding it
was not admissible—the trial justice allowed Jackelyn to begin her testimony. She
testified that she was the only child born of t h e m arriage of defen dant an d Ms.
DeLeone. She stated that, for a number of years before her paren t s’ divorce, sh e
had lived at the Central Falls home with her parents an d h er brot her. Jackelyn
testified that her father moved out of the home in February 2015 and that she
moved out in March 2015; she moved back in 2017 an d was livin g t h ere at t he
time of trial.
Jackelyn also testified about the events that occurred on January 26, 2016, in
Boston and while en route back to Rhode Island. Jackelyn t estified t hat, on t hat
day, her mother told her that she was upset with someone; however, the trial justice
would not permit Jackelyn to name that person.
In the end, the jury found defendant guilty on counts on e, t wo, an d t hree. 7
The defendant was thereafter sentenced to fifty years’ imprisonment, with t hirty
years to serve and twenty years suspended, with probation, on count on e; t wenty
years in prison, with twelve years to serve and eight years suspended, with
probation, on count two (concurrent with counts one and three); and t wenty years
7
At the close of the state’s case, defense counsel moved for a judgment of acquittal
on all four counts. That motion was denied with respect to the first t hree counts;
however, pursuant to an agreement between the parties, count four was dismissed.
-9-
in prison, with twelve years to serve with eight years suspended, with probation, on
count three (concurrent with counts one and two). The defendant moved for a new
trial on the ground that the evidence presented to the jury was insufficient to
sustain a conviction on all three counts. That motion was den ied, an d defendant
thereafter timely filed a notice of appeal to this Court.
Standard of Review
When a defendant claims that his constitutional righ t t o present a defen se
was violated, “we engage in a de novo review.” State v. Lopez, 943 A.2d 1035,
1041 (R.I. 2008); see State v. Albanese, 970 A.2d 1215, 1222 (R.I. 2009).
Additionally, “[t]his Court reviews evidentiary rulings under an abuse of discretion
standard.” State v. Jones, 242 A.3d 47, 51 (R.I. 2020) (quoting State v. Whitfield,
93 A.3d 1011, 1016 (R.I. 2014)). “We will reverse a trial ju st ice’s ru ling on t he
admissibility of evidence only where ‘it constitutes a clear abuse of discret ion.’”
State v. Covington, 69 A.3d 855, 862 (R.I. 2013) (quoting State v. Brown, 42 A.3d
1239, 1242 (R.I. 2012)); see State v. Smith, 39 A.3d 669, 673 (R.I. 2012).
“Furthermore, we are disinclined to perceive an abuse of discretion so lon g as t h e
record contains some grounds for supporting the trial justice’s decision * * *.” Ims
v. Town of Portsmouth, 32 A.3d 914, 926 (R.I. 2011) (brackets omitted) (qu oting
State v. Pitts, 990 A.2d 185, 189-90 (R.I. 2010)).
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Discussion
On appeal, defendant argues that “the trial justice denied defendant his
constitutional right to present a full and fair defense by unfairly limiting the
introduction of testimony of a defense witness.” He specifically avers that, by n ot
allowing Jackelyn to testify as to what occu rred on t he day of t h e im migration
proceedings and thereafter, the trial justice thwarted counsel’s efforts to strengthen
the defense’s theory “that [Allison], who had been molested by h er fat h er years
before, later decided to point the finger at the man responsible for her
grandmother’s deportation troubles.” The defendant further contends that the “trial
justice mistakenly viewed the proffered evidence as hearsay[,]” when it was
instead being offered “to demonstrate [Allison’s] grandmother’s state of mind after
the hearing as well as her perception that her plight was the fault of [defendant].”
This Court has explicitly recognized the principle that “[u]nder the
Compulsory Process Clause of the Sixth Amendment of the United States
Constitution, the criminal defendant has the right to present his own witnesses t o
establish a defense.” State v. Bowling, 585 A.2d 1181, 1185 (R.I. 1991) (citing
Washington v. Texas, 388 U.S. 14, 19 (1967)). However, we have also clearly
stated that “it is axiomatic that a defendant has no right to introduce evidence t hat
is inadmissible under our well-developed rules of evidence.” State v. Scanlon, 982
A.2d 1268, 1274 n.10 (R.I. 2009); see United States v. Pires, 642 F.3d 1, 13 (1st
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Cir. 2011) (“[T]he right to present a defense does not trump valid rules of
evidence.”).
We first point out that, although the trial justice did not permit any
references to be made to the immigration status of any of t h e wit nesses or t o t h e
January 26, 2016 immigration proceedings in general terms, he did permit the
introduction of some evidence about what happened on that day. More
specifically, the trial justice stated that the fact that h e su bstantially granted t he
state’s motion in limine did not preclude Jackelyn from “talking about observations
as far as physical appearance, observation of anger, things along those lines”
caused by the events of January 26, 2016. Accordingly, while Jackelyn did n ot
testify at great length concerning the immigration proceedings, she was, contrary to
defendant’s assertion, permitted to testify more generally about her observations on
that day.
We turn next to defendant’s contentions with respect to h earsay. We h ave
explained that “[h]earsay is ‘a statement, other t han one m ade by t h e declarant
while testifying at the trial or hearing, offered in evidence to prove the truth of t h e
matter asserted.’” State v. Oliveira, 961 A.2d 299, 314 (R.I. 2008) (quoting R.I. R.
Evid. 801(c)); see State v. Brash, 512 A.2d 1375, 1379 (R.I. 1986). “Hearsay is not
admissible except as provided by law.” Oliveira, 961 A.2d at 314 (cit in g R.I. R.
Evid. 802). Hearsay is generally admissible only if it falls within one of the
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delineated exceptions to the hearsay rule. See R.I. R. Evid. 803; see also State v.
Bergevine, 942 A.2d 974, 978 (R.I. 2008) (“The rationale for exceptions to the rule
against hearsay is that some statements, notwithstanding their n ature as h earsay,
possess ‘sufficient circumstantial guarantees of t ru stworthiness so as t o ju st ify
admission of the statement even though the declarant is available an d cou ld be
called to testify.’”) (quoting Rule 803 Advisory Committee’s Note).
The defendant’s offer of proof indicated that Jackelyn would testify that, on
January 26, 2016, she and Ms. DeLeone had gone to Boston and, on that date, Ms.
DeLeone received updated information as to the status of her immigration
proceedings. It was further represented that Jackelyn would testify that Ms.
DeLeone “was upset about the outcome of those proceedings” and that, during t he
car ride home from Boston, she “blamed [defendant] for t h e h andling of t h ose
[immigration] proceedings.” Lastly, defendant indicated t hat, at t hat t ime, i.e.,
January 26, 2016, Allison lived with Ms. DeLeone and “they still talked freely
about [Ms.] DeLeone’s immigration status and proceedings[.]”8 The defendant
maintained that, if the jury were “allowed to hear this evidence, [it] would be able
8
It is not clear from defendant’s offer of proof that Jackelyn would testify that Ms.
DeLeone’s anger toward defendant over her immigration status was openly
discussed in the Central Falls home on or after the hearing in Bost on on Jan uary
26, 2016. Jackelyn previously testified that sh e h ad m oved out of t h e h ome in
March 2015.
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to maybe use that circumstantial evidence to potentially as a motive for [Allison] to
fabricate these allegations a mere[] three weeks after this event.”
It is not entirely clear from the offer of proof what exactly Jackelyn wou ld
have testified Ms. DeLeone said to her on the day in question. However, it is
logical to infer that Jackelyn’s testimony would have been hearsay an d t herefore
inadmissible, including, for example, Ms. DeLeone’s conversation with her
recounting what immigration officials in Boston said about Ms. DeLeone’s an d/or
defendant’s immigration case. It would not have been permissible for Jackelyn t o
relate what Ms. DeLeone said without it being established that t he t estimony fell
within one of the exceptions to the hearsay rule. See R.I. R. Evid. 803; Oliveira,
961 A.2d at 314.
However, defense counsel did not allege that the testimony at issue fell
within any of the delineated exceptions to the hearsay rule; rather, h e con tended
that none of Jackelyn’s testimony would be hearsay because it was not admitted for
the truth of the matter asserted. In this Court’s opinion, that contention was
misguided. As we have just stated, it is clear to this Court that at least some
portion of Jackelyn’s testimony as to what Ms. DeLeone said wou ld h ave been
admitted for the truth of the matter asserted. As defendant failed t o specify wh at
exceptions to the hearsay rule might apply to the proffered testimony, we can n ot
say that the trial justice abused his discretion in excluding the entirety of
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Jackelyn’s testimony in this regard. Therefore, we are of the decided opinion t hat,
as to that portion of Jackelyn’s testimony that would have constituted
impermissible hearsay, the trial justice acted appropriately in excluding that
testimony. See Oliveira, 961 A.2d at 314.
Accordingly, we conclude that the trial justice did not err in excluding much
of Jackelyn’s proposed testimony.
Conclusion
For the reasons set forth in this opinion, we affirm the judgment of the
Superior Court. The record may be returned to that tribunal.
Justice Robinson, concurring. While I unhesitatingly concur in t he result
reached at the conclusion of the majority’s opinion, and wh ile I am n ot wit hout
respect for the majority’s quest for the best analytical path to take in dealing wit h
this vexing case, I find myself unable to join the majority on its chosen path. It is
my conviction, after long reflection, that this case is best analyzed in terms of Rule
602 of the Rhode Island Rules of Evidence.
It will be recalled that, in the course of contending that th e trial justice
should not permit Jackelyn Rivera to testify about the immigration proceedings or
Amanda DeLeone’s reaction to those proceedings, the prosecutor recited virtually
verbatim the following language from Rule 602: “A witness m ay n ot t estify t o a
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matter unless evidence is introduced sufficient to support a finding that the witness
has personal knowledge of the matter.” The prosecutor argued that, because t here
was no evidence that Jackelyn had any personal knowledge as t o wh ether or n ot
Allison knew about “any immigration proceedings or anything that was going on at
that time for her grandmother * * * or the Defendant,” she should not be permitted
to testify about what Allison might have known about such proceedings. To m y
mind, it is significant that no evidence was presented that Jackelyn ever wit nessed
Ms. DeLeone discussing the immigration issue in Allison’s presence. In fact,
Jackelyn would have testified that the specific conversation she had with Ms.
DeLeone, during which Ms. DeLeone indicated that she was upset with someone,
took place in the car on the return trip from Boston; and she testified that t he on ly
other person present in the car was Ms. DeLeone’s n ew h usband. Furthermore,
given Jackelyn’s testimony indicating that she was no longer living at the h ome in
Central Falls in which Allison lived as of the time of the immigration proceedings,
there is no evidence to support an inference that she may have overheard sim ilar
conversations taking place in the home in Allison’s presence.
Therefore, it is clear to me that there is insufficient evidence t o sh ow t hat
Jackelyn had any knowledge about what Allison may or may not have known
concerning the immigration proceedings. In my judgment, Rule 602 of t h e Ru les
of Evidence constituted an insuperable obstacle to su ch t estimony by Jackelyn.
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See State v. Ranieri, 586 A.2d 1094, 1098 (R.I. 1991) (“In deciding whether a
witness is competent for purposes of Rule 602, t h e t rial ju stice m ust det ermine
whether a witness had a sufficient opportunity to perceive the subject matter about
which he [or she] is testifying.”) (citing Hallquist v. Local 276, Plumbers and
Pipefitters Union, AFL-CIO, 843 F.2d 18, 24 (1st Cir. 1988) and 3 J. Wein stein &
M. Bergen, Weinstein’s Evidence ¶ 602[02] at 602-12 (M.B. 1988)); see also State
v. Reyes, 984 A.2d 606, 614 n.8 (R.I. 2009); see generally 98 C.J.S. Witnesses § 93
(June 2021 Update). Accordingly, I conclude that the trial justice did not deny t he
defendant his constitutional right to present a full and fair defense by lim iting t he
scope of Jackelyn’s testimony.
For the reasons set forth in this opinion, I respectfully concur in the
majority’s conclusion, but I am of the view that a different basis for reach ing t hat
conclusion is more appropriate.
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
SUPREME COURT – CLERK’S OFFICE
Licht Judicial Complex
250 Benefit Street
Providence, RI 02903
OPINION COVER SHEET
Title of Case State v. Carlos Rivera.
No. 2019-196-C.A.
Case Number
(P1/16-2067A)
Date Opinion Filed June 29, 2021
Suttell, C.J., Goldberg, Robinson, Lynch Prata, and
Justices
Long, JJ.
Written By Associate Justice Erin Lynch Prata
Source of Appeal Providence County Superior Court
Judicial Officer from Lower Court Associate Justice Brian P. Stern
For State:
Owen Murphy
Department of Attorney General
Attorney(s) on Appeal
For Defendant:
Megan F. Jackson
Office of the Public Defender
SU-CMS-02A (revised June 2020)