State v. Kunwar Chadha

Supreme Court
No. 2019-438-C.A.
(P1/16-3412A)
State :
v. :
Kunwar Chadha. :
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 Island, 250 Benefit Street, Providence,
Rhode Island 02903, at Telephone (401) 222-3258 or
Email opinionanalyst@courts.ri.gov, of any
typographical or other formal errors in order that
corrections may be made before the opinion is published.
Supreme Court
No. 2019-438-C.A.
(P1/16-3412A)
State :
v. :
Kunwar Chadha. :
Present: Suttell, C.J., Goldberg, Robinson, Lynch Prata, and Long, JJ.
OPINION
Justice Robinson, for the Court. The defendant, Kunwar Chadha, appeals
from a June 20, 2019 judgment of conviction and commitment entered against him
in Providence County Superior Court on two counts of second-degree child
molestation sexual assault. The defendant argues on appeal that the trial justice
erred by: (1) “restricting [defendant’s] right of confrontation and sufficient cross-
examination;” and (2) denying his motion for a new trial. For the reasons set forth
in this opinion, we affirm the judgment of the Superior Court.
-1-
I
Facts and Travel
The instant case arises as a result of allegations that defendant sexually
molested Matthew1 on four occasions. On November 29, 2016, defendant was
indicted by a grand jury on one count of first-degree child molestation sexual
assault in violation of G.L. 1956 §§ 11-37-8.1 and 11-37-8.2 for sexual
penetration, to wit, fellatio, with a person fourteen years of age or under between
January 1, 2012 and May 1, 2012 (Count One). He was also indicted on four
counts of second-degree child molestation sexual assault in violation of §§ 11-37-
8.3 and 11-37-8.4 for alleged: sexual contact, to wit, hand to penis, with a person
fourteen years of age or under between January 1, 2012 and May 1, 2012 (Count
Two);2 between October 31, 2011 and December 25, 2011 (Count Three); between
March 1, 2012 and June 1, 2012 (Count Four); and between June 1, 2012 and July
31, 2012 (Count Five).
A trial ensued on various dates in February and March of 2019. We relate
below the salient details of what transpired at that trial.
1
Although the complaining witness was eighteen years old at the time of trial,
he was a minor when the alleged incidents at issue occurred. Accordingly, we
shall refer to him pseudonymously.
2
Following the close of the state’s case, the trial justice granted defendant’s
motion for judgment of acquittal on Count Two on the grounds that the state did
not meet its burden of proof as to that count.
-2-
A
The Trial
1. Matthew’s Testimony Regarding the Alleged Incidents
On direct examination, Matthew testified with respect to each of the alleged
incidents. Matthew stated that he knew defendant because they lived in the same
neighborhood in Cumberland, Rhode Island, and that he had been friends with
defendant’s older twin sons.3 He said that he used to see the twins at school and
that they also spent time together outside of school.
a. The First Alleged Incident
Matthew testified that, one evening when he was eleven years old, he was
“hanging out” with the twins and a number of other friends at defendant’s house
when the first alleged incident took place. He stated that he and the other children
were in the basement watching a movie when the following occurred:
“[T]he kids were wrestling the Defendant, and they were
horsing around. And then when they settled down, some
of the kids went upstairs to get snacks, and the Defendant
put me on his lap and put his hand down my pants and
started playing with me down there for about two
minutes.”
3
Matthew testified that defendant had four children—two sets of twin boys—
and that he and the older set of twins were friends.
-3-
Matthew testified that, although he “kept trying to push away and get away,” he
did not tell defendant to stop because he “didn’t know what was going on” and he
was “in complete shock.” He added that he ultimately “shrugged it off.”
b. The Second Alleged Incident
Matthew testified that he did not return to defendant’s house again until the
Spring of 2012, at which time the second alleged incident took place. He stated
that, when he rang the doorbell to see if his friends wanted to play, defendant
answered the door. Matthew testified that, even though defendant said that his
children were not home, he nevertheless told Matthew to come inside the house.
Matthew stated that he did as he was told and entered the house and went directly
to the spare bedroom; he added that defendant followed him and, once therein,
“gave [Matthew] oral sex.” Matthew testified that, shortly thereafter, defendant
walked him to the front door and told him that, if he told anyone about what had
taken place, defendant “would * * * hunt [his] father down and hurt him.”
c. The Third Alleged Incident
Matthew testified that the third alleged incident also occurred in the Spring
of 2012. He stated that he had been in the living room of defendant’s house with
defendant’s four children and that they had all been playing in the living room and
defendant’s bedroom. Matthew testified that, at one point that evening, defendant
told his children to “get out” of the bedroom, at which point he locked Matthew
-4-
inside the bedroom with him. Matthew stated that, when he and defendant were
alone, defendant touched his genitals. Matthew testified that, when he left
defendant’s house after that incident, he went to the home of his best friend and
told his friend that defendant had touched him inappropriately and had also
threatened him. Matthew added that, although his friend thought that Matthew
should tell someone about what had happened, he chose not to disclose any
information to anyone else at that time.
d. The Fourth Alleged Incident
Matthew testified that the fourth alleged incident occurred in the “early
summer” of 2012, when he went to defendant’s house to see if his friends wanted
to play. He stated that, after defendant answered the door and invited him in, he
went upstairs to the living room. Matthew testified that, when defendant joined
him in the living room, defendant told him to lie on the floor and forced Matthew
to touch defendant’s genitals. Matthew added that defendant also touched
Matthew’s genitals. He further stated that, when he yelled out in pain as a result of
being touched, defendant “got mad and told [Matthew] to get out of [the] house.”
Matthew testified that, when he left defendant’s house, he “ran home and * * *
started cutting [himself].”
Matthew testified that, for several years subsequent to the alleged acts of
molestation, he continued self-harming behavior, which led to his hospitalization
-5-
on multiple occasions. He stated that, following one such hospitalization in 2015,
he began seeing a counselor, one Jennifer Lawrence. Matthew testified that,
because he had a “good connection” with Ms. Lawrence, he felt comfortable
discussing with her the “molestation incidents.” He stated that, after telling her
about the four alleged incidents, Ms. Lawrence contacted Matthew’s family and
the police in Cumberland to report what Matthew had told her. Matthew added
that he went to the police station the following week and “recited all [his] incidents
with the Defendant.”
2. The Limitations on the Cross-Examination of Matthew
While cross-examining Matthew at trial, defense counsel attempted to
question him as to certain instances of past conduct. In particular, defense counsel
stated outside the presence of the jury that he sought to elicit testimony from
Matthew to the effect that he had once put peanut butter in the “smoothie”4 of a
person who had a peanut allergy (“the peanut butter incident”) because that person
had bullied him. Defense counsel intended to use such testimony to challenge
Matthew’s credibility—namely, to show that Matthew’s statements that he was
always the target of bullying and was never a bully himself should not be
4
The American Heritage Dictionary defines “smoothie” as a “drink made of
fruit or sometimes vegetables, blended with juice, milk, or yogurt and often ice
until smooth.” The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language 1655
(5th ed. 2011).
-6-
believed.5 The trial justice, in prohibiting this line of questioning, stated as
follows:
“I don’t think that it comes under 608(b), and I don’t
think that it goes to the issue of bullying. Frankly, it goes
to the issue of something very different than that. So I
don’t think it’s an issue of impeachment on a prior
inconsistent statement. So unless you have another rule
of evidence, you’re not going to get into it.”
Defense counsel also attempted to cross-examine Matthew on a topic which
we shall refer to as “the Cagno allegation.” During voir dire outside the presence
of the jury with respect to this proposed line of questioning, Matthew testified that,
when he worked as a volunteer at a venue known as “the Stadium Theatre” in
2015, he met a man named John Cagno. Matthew stated that Mr. Cagno was an
employee of the theatre, under whose direction Matthew served as a volunteer.
Matthew testified that, although he had auditioned for the leading role in a play and
had expressed to Mr. Cagno his interest in that role, he was not selected to play
that part. Matthew further testified that, several weeks after he learned that he had
not been selected for the role in the play, he went to the Woonsocket Police
Department and reported that Mr. Cagno “had promised [him] the lead role in
return for sexual favors[.]”
5
It should be noted that those statements regarding always being the target of
bullying and never being a bully himself were recorded in Matthew’s counseling
records, but were not alluded to in the presence of the jury.
-7-
When defense counsel informed the trial justice that Mr. Cagno was
prepared to testify that nothing of a physical nature ever happened between him
and Matthew, the trial justice responded as follows:
“That’s not going to happen. That’s going to be a
403 issue. It would be different if in this [police] report
[Matthew] recanted, you know, and said, Cagno never
tied our relationship to a part. I made that up because I
was upset for one reason or another. I don’t see it
anywhere in this report, and I don’t believe he has
recanted here today.
“* * *
“Right. We’re bringing in issues of sexual conduct
with someone else, and now we’re talking about
somebody about four years older, homosexual contact
with someone about four years older than he was at the
age of 15, not 11. And he says that it was tied to an offer
of a part. We’re not going to try that case.”
Although the trial justice prohibited defense counsel both from further questioning
Matthew with respect to Mr. Cagno and from calling Mr. Cagno as a witness, she
did permit counsel to make an offer of proof as to what Mr. Cagno would say if
permitted to testify. Following defense counsel’s offer of proof, the trial justice
affirmed her earlier ruling.
3. The Jury Deliberations and the Jury Verdict
After the close of evidence and during the jury instructions, the trial justice
provided the jury with a verdict form, which included a “questionnaire” that set
forth five “questions.” The first three questions referenced conduct related to the
-8-
first three alleged incidents. However, questions four and five both dealt with
Count Five and related to the fourth alleged incident.6 Shortly after deliberations
commenced, the trial justice was informed that the jurors were unable to reach a
unanimous decision as to any of the questions on the verdict form. Accordingly,
the trial justice opted to deliver an Allen charge. See Allen v. United States, 164
U.S. 492, 501-02 (1896); State v. Rodriguez, 822 A.2d 894, 899-904 (R.I. 2003);
see also State v. Arciliares, 108 A.3d 1040, 1047 (R.I. 2015). Then, after further
deliberations, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty on Count One and guilty on
Count Three. It indicated that it was unable to reach a verdict as to Count Four and
as to the first question under Count Five. However, it did find defendant guilty on
the second question under Count Five.7
B
The Motion for a New Trial and the Sentencing
Thereafter, defendant moved for a new trial as to Counts Three and Five.
The trial justice denied the motion for a new trial, finding that the evidence
supported the jury’s verdict.
6
More specifically, question four asked whether defendant had made
Matthew touch defendant’s genitals, whereas question five asked whether
defendant had touched Matthew’s genitals.
7
We would note that Count Five related to two separate acts, both of which
allegedly occurred during the fourth incident. See Part II.B.2, infra.
-9-
The trial justice thereafter sentenced defendant as follows: thirty years
imprisonment with twenty-two years to serve and eight years suspended, with
probation, on Count Three; and eighteen years suspended, with probation, on
Count Five (consecutive to Count Three). The defendant filed a notice of appeal to
this Court.8
II
Analysis
On appeal, defendant argues that the trial justice erred by “restricting
[defendant’s] right of confrontation and sufficient cross-examination.” He also
contends that the trial justice erred by denying his motion for a new trial. We are
not persuaded by defendant’s arguments.
A
The Limitations on Cross-Examination
The defendant contends that the trial justice erred by “restricting
[defendant’s] right of confrontation and sufficient cross-examination.” The
defendant specifically argues that he should have been permitted to cross-examine
8
We would note that defendant’s notice of appeal was prematurely filed prior
to the entry of the judgment of conviction and commitment. However, that fact
has no bearing on the validity of the appeal. See State v. Chase, 9 A.3d 1248, 1252
n.2 (R.I. 2010) (“Although defendant’s notice of appeal was premature, it was
nevertheless valid.”).
- 10 -
Matthew with respect to the peanut butter incident as well as with respect to the
Cagno allegation.
1. “The Peanut Butter Incident”
On appeal, defendant argues that, pursuant to Rule 608(b) of the Rhode
Island Rules of Evidence,9 defense counsel should have been allowed to question
Matthew regarding the peanut butter incident in order to attack Matthew’s
credibility—by showing that he was untruthful in his “repeated self-
characterization that he was a victim and not a perpetrator of vengeful acts.” The
defendant argues that cross-examination on this subject would have undermined
Matthew’s credibility in three important ways. First, defendant alleges, it would
have shown that, despite his repeated contention that he was always a victim,
Matthew was actually “capable of egregious spite and intentional infliction of
harm.” Second, it would have demonstrated that Matthew was “certainly capable
of disclosing painful or personally uncomfortable truths with his doctors, as
evidenced by his disclosure of this ‘peanut butter incident’” during counseling
9
Rule 608(b) of the Rhode Island Rules of Evidence states in pertinent part:
“Specific instances of the conduct of a witness, for the purpose of attacking or
supporting the witness’ credibility, other than conviction of crime as provided in
Rule 609, or, in the discretion of the trial judge, evidence of prior similar false
accusations, may not be proved by extrinsic evidence. They may, however, in the
discretion of the court, if probative of truthfulness or untruthfulness, be inquired
into on cross-examination of the witness (1) concerning the witness’ character for
truthfulness or untruthfulness, or (2) concerning the character for truthfulness or
untruthfulness of another witness as to which character the witness being cross-
examined has testified.”
- 11 -
sessions. Third, it would have shown that, despite Matthew’s testimony that he
was receiving treatment as a result of his self-harming behaviors, he was actually
receiving treatment “in part due to the threat of criminal charges related to the
[peanut butter] incident.”
“Both the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution * * * and
article 1, section 10, of the Rhode Island Constitution guarantee individuals
accused of criminal charges the right to confront and cross-examine any adverse
witnesses who testify against them.” State v. Manning, 973 A.2d 524, 530 (R.I.
2009) (quoting State v. Dorsey, 783 A.2d 947, 950 (R.I. 2001)). That right,
however, “is not unbounded.” State v. Rivera, 987 A.2d 887, 906 (R.I. 2010)
(internal quotation marks omitted). Rather, it “is tempered by the dictates of
practicality and judicial economy; trial justices are authorized to exercise sound
discretion in limiting the scope of cross-examination.” State v. Danis, 182 A.3d
36, 40 (R.I. 2018) (quoting Manning, 973 A.2d at 530).
The exercise of this discretion, however, “must not unduly restrict a
defendant’s right to cross-examine.” State v. Anthony, 422 A.2d 921, 924 (R.I.
1980). We have stated that it is “the essence of a fair trial that reasonable latitude
be given the cross-examiner.” Id. Nonetheless, it is the duty of the court to protect
witnesses from questions that “go beyond the proper bounds of cross-
examination,” including those that “are irrelevant or offer no probative value.” Id.- 12 -
This Court will “review [a] trial justice’s decision to limit the scope of cross-
examination * * * for clear abuse of discretion; the decision will be overruled only
if such abuse constitutes prejudicial error.” Rivera, 987 A.2d at 906 (internal
quotation marks omitted).
We are satisfied that it was within the trial justice’s discretion to exclude the
line of questioning pertaining to the peanut butter incident. During the sidebar
conference concerning this proposed testimony, defense counsel indicated that he
wanted to question Matthew as to this incident because it would go to Matthew’s
credibility. In so arguing, defense counsel stated that “[Matthew is] going to say
he never bullied anyone[,] yet, he’s putting peanut butter in a milk shake to
someone who could potentially die.” In response, the trial justice ruled as follows:
“I don’t think that it comes under 608(b), and I don’t
think that it goes to the issue of bullying. Frankly, it goes
to the issue of something very different than that. So I
don’t think it’s an issue of impeachment on a prior
inconsistent statement. So unless you have another rule
of evidence, you’re not going to get into it.”
We agree with the trial justice’s conclusion that, although Matthew’s act of putting
peanut butter in the smoothie of a supposed bully may arguably relate to some
other aspect of his character, it is not probative of his character for truthfulness and
does not fall within the bounds of Rule 608(b). In our judgment, said evidence
could also have been excluded pursuant to Rule 403. Accordingly, the trial justice
did not abuse her discretion in prohibiting cross-examination on this subject.
- 13 -
2. “The Cagno Allegation”
The defendant further argues that the trial justice erred by excluding cross-
examination with respect to the Cagno allegation. The defendant contends that
such testimony relates to Matthew’s credibility because it would demonstrate:
(1) “whether he was trustworthy in his accusations against [defendant] despite his
demonstrably misleading accusations against Mr. Cagno;” (2) his “knowledge
about sexual acts” despite his young age; and (3) the truthfulness of his claim that
“he never disclosed to anyone what [defendant] had allegedly done because he was
‘ashamed’ and ‘uncomfortable,’” despite having made a similar disclosure five
months prior. (Emphasis in original.)
We have noted that our rules of evidence “generally treat with disfavor the
use of evidence of a witness’s prior conduct for the purpose of proving that he or
she acted in conformity therewith.” Manning, 973 A.2d at 531 (quoting R.I. R.
Evid. 404(a)). However, pursuant to Rule 608(b) of the Rhode Island Rules of
Evidence, subject to a trial justice’s discretion, a witness may be questioned during
cross-examination on the witness’s “prior similar false accusations, if probative of
truthfulness or untruthfulness.” Id. We have also previously held that “evidence
of a complaining witness’[s] prior allegations of sexual assault may be admitted to
challenge effectively the complaining witness’s credibility, even if the allegations
were not proven false or withdrawn.” State v. Oliveira, 576 A.2d 111, 113 (R.I.
- 14 -
1990) (internal quotation marks omitted). But, we have noted that, where such
accusations are “fundamentally different” from those in the case at bar, they may
not be used. Dorsey, 783 A.2d at 951 (internal quotation marks omitted); see State
v. Botelho, 753 A.2d 343, 347 (R.I. 2000).
We are of the opinion that the trial justice did not abuse her discretion by
prohibiting cross-examination of Matthew concerning his prior allegations against
Mr. Cagno. We would first note that the trial justice acknowledged that Matthew
neither admitted the falsity of the allegations nor recanted the allegations, either to
the police or while testifying at trial. Cf. State v. Dennis, 893 A.2d 250, 266 (R.I.
2006) (complaining witness admitted prior false claim of rape). We would next
point out that, in prohibiting cross-examination on this subject, the trial justice
relied on Rule 403 and distinguished the facts of the Cagno allegation from the
facts in the instant case. She stated as follows:
“We’re bringing in issues of sexual conduct with
someone else, and now we’re talking about somebody
about four years older, homosexual contact with someone
about four years older than he was at the age of 15, not
11. And he says that it was tied to an offer of a part.
We’re not going to try that case.”
After careful reflection concerning this not insubstantial question, we are in the end
convinced that the trial justice did not abuse her discretion in excluding cross-
examination on the Cagno allegation on the basis of her observation relative to the
- 15 -
“fundamental[] differen[ce]” between those allegations and the allegations against
defendant. Dorsey, 783 A.2d at 951 (internal quotation marks omitted).
B
The Trial Justice’s Denial of the Motion for a New Trial
The defendant also contends that the trial justice erred in denying his motion
for a new trial for two reasons: (1) “[t]he trial justice overlooked and misconceived
material evidence in the case;” and (2) “[w]hen the jury returned a verdict as to
Count 5, separated into two questions, they returned a legally inconsistent verdict
of guilty as to one question and hung as to the other,” which offended defendant’s
right to due process of law. (Emphasis in original.)
1. The Alleged Overlooking and Misconceiving of Material Evidence
With respect to his first argument, defendant avers that the trial justice
overlooked three important facts when she “dismissed the possibility that
[Matthew] had fabricated the allegations” against defendant on the basis of her
understanding that “[t]here was just not evidence that he felt revengeful.” He
argues first that, because “the jury itself wrestled with [Matthew’s] credibility,
finding [defendant] not guilty of committing the acts [sic] alleged in Count 1,
failing to reach a verdict as to part of Count 5, and failing to reach a verdict as to
Count 4,” the “verdicts [therefore] signal that such a blanket statement was not a
fair takeaway from his trial testimony.” (Emphasis in original.) The defendant
- 16 -
next argues that “the trial justice overlooked the fact that [Matthew] was an
aspiring actor and his entire trial presentation read like a play; a play where he
forgot many of his lines.” His third contention is that the trial justice “overlooked
the fact that [Matthew] had a long history of troubling behaviors,” which “predate
any of the allegations against [defendant] and include manipulative conduct such
as misleading medical professionals.” (Emphasis in original.)
When ruling on a motion for a new trial, the trial justice must perform at
least three analyses:
“First, he or she must consider the evidence in light of
the charge to the jury, a charge that presumably is correct
and fair to the defendant. Second, he or she must
determine his or her own opinion of the evidence, and
then weigh the credibility of the witnesses and other
evidence and choose which conflicting testimony and
evidence to accept and which to reject. Finally, the trial
justice must determine whether he or she would have
reached a different result from that of the jury based on
an individual assessment and in light of the charge to the
jury.” State v. DeOliveira, 972 A.2d 653, 665 (R.I. 2009)
(quoting State v. Rivera, 839 A.2d 497, 502-03 (R.I.
2003)).
If, at this point in the analysis, the trial justice agrees with the jury’s verdict, the
verdict should be affirmed. Rivera, 839 A.2d at 503. However, “[f]urther analysis
must be conducted * * * when the trial justice does not agree with the jury verdict
or does not agree that reasonable minds could differ as to the proper disposition of
the case.” DeOliveira, 972 A.2d at 665. “In that event, the trial justice must
- 17 -
determine whether the verdict is against the fair preponderance of the evidence and
fails to do substantial justice.” Id. “If the trial justice so determines, * * * a new
trial should be ordered.” Id.In carrying out the just-summarized analysis, the trial justice “need not
specifically refer to each speck of trial evidence that might support his or her
decision, but need only relate to that evidence, which is sufficient to allow this
Court to determine whether the trial justice has undertaken to comply with the
applicable standards for his or her decision.” State v. Ramirez, 786 A.2d 368, 373
(R.I. 2001) (internal quotation marks omitted); see Rivera, 839 A.2d at 503. “This
Court will not disturb the decision of a trial justice who has employed the above-
described analytical approach unless the trial justice overlooked or misconceived
material evidence or was otherwise clearly wrong.” DeOliveira, 972 A.2d at 665.
It is our view that, in ruling on the motion for a new trial in the instant case,
the trial justice conducted the required analysis, by weighing the evidence adduced
at trial and the credibility of the witnesses and choosing which evidence to credit
and which to reject. See id. The trial justice found that Matthew was “a credible
witness” and that, although “[t]here may have been some discrepancies between
his trial testimony and details he provided at earlier hearings[,] * * * those
discrepancies were not material to the issues set forth in the indictment.” She
added that, in any event, he adequately explained at least one of those
- 18 -
discrepancies. The trial justice further stated that she found Matthew’s testimony
to be “detailed and compelling,” noting that “[h]e came across as a troubled child
from a broken home, one who might well have found the Defendant’s home life
and the Defendant, as the head of a beautiful nuclear family, quite attractive to a
child who might have been vulnerable to advances from a child predator.”
Upon concluding her analysis, the trial justice stated that the evidence
supported the jury’s verdict, and she thereby proceeded to deny defendant’s motion
for a new trial. Accordingly, we perceive no indication in the record that the trial
justice overlooked or misconceived material evidence or was otherwise clearly
wrong.
2. The “Inconsistent Verdicts” Argument
The defendant next argues that it was clear that, because “the jury found that
[Matthew] was not fully credible as to his recitation of this alleged incident as they
failed to reach a unanimous conclusion as to Count 5[,] * * * the entry of
conviction as to Count 5 is legally improper.” (Emphasis in original.) It should be
recalled that, although Count Five of the indictment referenced only one incident—
the so-called fourth incident—the jury was asked on the verdict form to separately
determine whether, during that incident: (1) defendant had forced Matthew to
touch defendant’s genitals (question four); and/or (2) defendant had touched
Matthew’s genitals (question five). The defendant argues on appeal that, because
- 19 -
the jury found defendant guilty of having touched Matthew’s genitals, but could
not reach unanimity as to whether Matthew had been forced to touch defendant’s
genitals, the verdicts were “legally inconsistent,” thereby offending defendant’s
right to due process. We are not convinced by defendant’s argument.
In support of his argument that the verdicts were legally inconsistent,
defendant cites State v. Arroyo, 844 A.2d 163 (R.I. 2004). Arroyo defines “legally
inconsistent verdicts” as those in which “the essential elements of the count[] of
which the defendant is acquitted are identical and necessary to prove the count of
which the defendant is convicted * * *.” Arroyo, 844 A.2d at 171 (emphasis
added) (internal quotation marks omitted). The Arroyo opinion further states that,
when both crimes arise out of the same set of facts, the verdicts are “legally
inconsistent when they necessarily involve the conclusion that the same essential
element or elements of each crime were found both to exist and not to exist.” Id.(internal quotation marks omitted). We would point out that, in the present case,
the “legally inconsistent” verdicts with which defendant takes issue deal with only
one count from the indictment. We would also note that the jury need only have
found one of the acts to have occurred—either the act referenced in question four
or the act referenced in question five—in order to have found defendant guilty of
Count Five in violation of § 11-37-8.3. We would add that a failure to find that
Matthew was forced to touch defendant’s genitals does not negate a finding that
- 20 -
defendant touched Matthew’s genitals—in other words, a finding of one but not the
other does not “necessarily involve the conclusion that the same essential element
or elements of each crime were found both to exist and not to exist.” Id. (internal
quotation marks omitted). We are of the opinion that the verdicts relating to Count
Five are not legally inconsistent and, therefore, do not offend defendant’s right to
due process.
Accordingly, for the reasons set forth in this section, we affirm the trial
justice’s denial of the motion for a new trial.
III
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.
- 21 -
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. Kunwar Chadha.
No. 2019-438-C.A.
Case Number
(P1/16-3412A)
Date Opinion Filed June 25, 2021
Suttell, C.J., Goldberg, Robinson, Lynch Prata, and
Justices
Long, JJ.
Written By Associate Justice William P. Robinson III
Source of Appeal Providence County Superior Court
Judicial Officer from Lower Court Associate Justice Netti C. Vogel
For State:
Brianne M. Chevalier
Attorney(s) on Appeal Department of Attorney General
For Defendant:
Kara Hoopis Manosh, Esq.
SU-CMS-02A (revised June 2020)