C. D. B. v. State of Alabama

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REL: 04/29/2011 Notice: T h i s o p i n i o n i s s u b j e c t t o formal r e v i s i o n b e f o r e p u b l i c a t i o n i n t h e advance s h e e t s o f Southern R e p o r t e r . R e a d e r s a r e r e q u e s t e d t o n o t i f y t h e R e p o r t e r o f D e c i s i o n s , Alabama A p p e l l a t e C o u r t s , 300 D e x t e r A v e n u e , M o n t g o m e r y , A l a b a m a 3 6 1 0 4 - 3 7 4 1 ((334) 2 2 9 - 0 6 4 9 ) , o f a n y t y p o g r a p h i c a l o r o t h e r e r r o r s , i n o r d e r t h a t c o r r e c t i o n s may b e made b e f o r e t h e o p i n i o n i s p r i n t e d i n Southern R e p o r t e r . ALABAMA COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OCTOBER TERM, 2010-2011 CR-10-0013 C.D.B. v. S t a t e o f Alabama Appeal WINDOM, Judge. C.D.B. him appeals delinquent defined from C a l h o u n J u v e n i l e C o u r t (JU-09-502.01) the juvenile court's based on a charge i n § 13A-6-61(a)(1), C.D.B. w a s a d j u d i c a t e d adjudicating o f f i r s t - d e g r e e rape, A l a . Code delinquent order 1975. for forcibly as Specifically, raping D.E.D. CR-10-0013 After adjudicating committed The On J u l y C.D.B. delinquent, the juvenile him t o t h e Department o f Youth State's evidence tended Services. to establish 1 4 , 2 0 0 9 , C.D.B. a n d h i s f a t h e r , the following. C . J . , were visiting L.D., D.E.D.'s m o t h e r , a t L . D . ' s t w o - s t o r y a p a r t m e n t . time, L.D. a n d C . J . w e r e visit, care L.D. a n d C . J . w e n t of other laundry. C.D.B., who w a s t h e n years o l d , were lying on t h e f l o o r , While to of downstairs to iron their watching c l o t h e s and take parents were televison. a n d D.E.D. w a s o n a t h e two were w a t c h i n g upstairs, C.D.B. w a s couch. t e l e v i s o n , C.D.B. t o l d her pants C.D.B. a l s o t o o k h i s p a n t s that off. D.E.D. t h e n g o t o n t o p She t h e n w e n t t o t h e b a t h r o o m herself. Shortly C.D.B. l e f t mother, After o f i n t e r c o u r s e , D.E.D. g o t u p , a n d n o t i c e d h e r v a g i n a was b l e e d i n g . check D.E.D. o f f , a n d t o g e t on t o p o f C.D.B., a n d t h e t w o e n g a g e d i n s e x u a l i n t e r c o u r s e . two t o f i v e m i n u t e s to A t some p o i n t d u r i n g t h e upstairs While Atthe 1 4 y e a r s o l d , a n d D.E.D., who w a s t h e n 9 come t o h i m , t o t a k e him. dating. court after D.E.D. t h e apartment. L.D., w h a t went After had happened. 2 t o t h e bathroom, they left, C.J. and D.E.D. t o l d h e r L.D. t e l e p h o n e d C.J. and CR-10-0013 t o l d h i m t h a t h e a n d C.D.B. n e e d e d t o r e t u r n t o t h e a p a r t m e n t . When t h e y r e t u r n e d , L.D. a n d D.E.D. i n f o r m e d C . J . h a p p e n e d , a n d D.E.D. s h o w e d C . J . initially denied that admitted t o engaging At trial, C.D.B.'s r e q u e s t somewhat a f r a i d was afraid father testified point would hurt [her.]" like based the Specifically, used with later D.E.D. complied because D.E.D. said with s h e was t h a t she i n the past. i f [she] didn't D.E.D., however, This also h e r o r "do a n y t h i n g do [ w h a t to he a s k e d ] , he to sustain charge of f a i l e d to present h i sdelinquency first-degree adjudication rape. Specifically, See compulsion Court t o engage agrees. 3 § C.D.B. a s s e r t s f a i l e d t o present any evidence i n d i c a t i n g forcible D.E.D. but she h a d seen him argue w i t h h i s 1 3 A - 6 - 6 1 ( a ) ( 1 ) , A l a . Code 1975. the State she C.D.B. a r g u e s t h a t t h e S t a t e evidence on with C.D.B. (R. 3 4 . ) sufficient he that t h a t C.D.B. d i d n o t t h r e a t e n appeal, happened, intercourse testified o f C.D.B. b e c a u s e feel that had on t h e d a y o f t h e i n c i d e n t make [ h e r ] On i n sexual o f him. a t some h e r bloody underwear. anything D.E.D. o f what h a d i n sexual that intercourse CR-10-0013 Section " [ a ] person 13A-6-61(a)(1), A l a . Code commits t h e crime o f rape ... [ h ] e o r she engages i n s e x u a l the opposite 60(8), s e x by f o r c i b l e A l a . Code "[p]hysical threat, force express immediate another that death or adjudication intercourse with defines that earnest places physical Further, this that, degree i f a member o f Section 13A-6- compulsion resistance a person injury Court A l a . Code of delinquency " forcible overcomes serious 12-15-65(e), i n the f i r s t compulsion or implied, person." "Section 1975, 1975, p r o v i d e s or be s u p p o r t e d to himself requires by a i n fear of has e x p l a i n e d 1975, as, or that, that 'proof an beyond a r e a s o n a b l e d o u b t , b a s e d on c o m p e t e n t , m a t e r i a l [ , ] a n d r e l e v a n t evidence.'" A.A.G. v . S t a t e , 668 S o . 2 d 1 2 2 , 124 ( A l a . App. "'"The t e s t u s e d i n determining of 1995). evidence to sustain a conviction evidence i n the light rational finder of fact could beyond a reasonable 63 497, most 498 State, (Ala. Crim. C.M. (quoting App. 1997), 602 S o . 2 d 4 6 2 , 464 viewing v. S t a t e , Nunn v . S t a t e , quoting a guilty 889 So. 2 d 57, 697 S o . 2 d i n turn ( A l a . Crim. App. 1 9 9 2 ) ) . 4 the to the prosecution, have found t h e d e f e n d a n t doubt."'" ( A l a . C r i m . App. 2004) the sufficiency i s whether, favorable Crim. O'Neal v. "'"[I]n CR-10-0013 resolving questions must view the evidence state."'" 2008) D.W. i n the light v. S t a t e , (quoting A.A.G., of s u f f i c i e n c y of the evidence, t h i s C.M., State, 3 S o . 3 d 9 5 5 , 957 to the ( A l a . Crim. App. 889 So. 2 d a t 6 2 - 6 3 , the evidence this Court must i n a any evidence that overcame [D.E.D.'s] e a r n e s t Nor d i d t h e State made "a light conclude "present C.D.B. favorable quoting i n turn 668 S o . 2 d a t 1 2 4 ) . Viewing 957. most court that favorable the State resistance." D.W., any evidence express or to the failed [C.D.B.] u s e d p h y s i c a l present threat, most force to that 3 So. 3d a t indicating that implied, that place[d] [D.E.D.] i n f e a r o f i m m e d i a t e d e a t h o r s e r i o u s p h y s i c a l i n j u r y to [her]self or another 1975. See Ex p a r t e (holding (Ala. that 1991), person." i t sdecision i n Powe v . S t a t e , under which an i m p l i e d i n "cases involving only children by a d u l t s who e x e r c i s e d control over children" the sexual original)); D.W., 13A-6-60(8), J . A . P . , 8 5 3 S o . 2 d 2 8 0 , 284 applies involving § threat the and does 597 S o . 2 d 7 2 1 may b e i n f e r r e d , not 5 (same). assault of of domination and apply r e l a t i o n s between two c h i l d r e n 3 S o . 3 d a t 957 ( A l a . 2002) sexual positions A l a . Code i n cases (emphasis i n In fact, D.E.D. CR-10-0013 testified that t o make h e r C.D.B. d i d n o t fear f o r her do safety. c o m p e l l e d , p u r s u a n t t o Ex p a r t e D.W., 3 So. present 3d at 957, sufficient "engage[d] in compulsion The " § S t a t e may asserts "suggests never prove the 2) the State not that with [D.E.D.] Ala. this Ex parte Code by establish an discrepancy that the father Court's and an implied between thus the State's implied held threat the two saw generally nothing J.A.P. holds argument that based children the feared forcible-compulsion is the 1) that ___ as on and the So. the the or implied) to and age the fact on argue with his child-accused. s u g g e s t s , much l e s s insufficient to holds, establish e l e m e n t o f f i r s t - d e g r e e r a p e when b o t h 6 at failed size based 3d an requesting State child-accused in this opinion threat forcible opinion: accused i s a j u v e n i l e , " erroneously child-accuser First, that 3) C.D.B. 1975. t h a t t h i s C o u r t i n f e r a t h r e a t where none ( e x p r e s s and did e l e m e n t o f f o r c i b l e c o m p u l s i o n by mischaracterizes existed; is and that So. or Court this her establish to that that threaten 2d a t 284, conclude intercourse i m p l i e d t h r e a t when t h e ___ ; J . A . P . , 853 13A-6-61(a)(1), dissent erroneously to to Consequently, evidence sexual anything the the CR-10-0013 accuser and and t h e accused a r e c h i l d r e n . 13A-6-60(8), faithfully parte A l a . Code applies J.A.P. impliedly threatened no evidence Black's Law Instead, Supreme C o u r t ' s to infer that this Court holding i n Ex C.D.B. -- a c h i l d -- D.E.D. -- a n o t h e r c h i l d -- w h e n t h e r e w a s indicating that "communicated 1975. t h e Alabama and d e c l i n e s S e e §§ 1 3 A - 6 - 6 1 ( a ) ( 1 ) , [an] i n t e n t Dictionary C.D.B. e x p l i c i t l y to inflict 1519 or harm (8th ed. implicitly on 2004) [D.E.D.]." (defining a threat). Next, dissent asserts mischaracterized the State's argument State sufficient Both presented the State factors C. D.B. was because both older and 3) than D.E.D. she had seen D.E.D.; State indicate, much threatened D.E.D. o f an contend was, 2) i n general, less the Contrary dissent, establish, threat. threat: was larger afraid of h i sfather none of that C.D.B. 1) than C.D.B. and grab a to the contentions A t h r e a t , whether e x p l i c i t 7 that the the following implied C.D.B. Court implied that an C.D.B. a r g u e w i t h and this and contends to establish o u t o f h i s f a t h e r ' s hand. the that evidence and t h e d i s s e n t are sufficient D. E . D . ; belt the these of factors impliedly or i m p l i c i t , i s CR-10-0013 defined or on as " [ a ] c o m m u n i c a t e d i n t e n t t o i n f l i c t another's (emphasis added). otherwise), that property." Thus, the State Black's to establish must present t h e a c c u s e d made some v e r b a l indicating failed an i n t e n t t o harm. to present any any e v i d e n c e threatening manner D.E.D. D.E.D. t e s t i f i e d threaten h e r o r t o make h e r f e a r threaten of the fact that -- t h a t the State an i m p l i e d d i dnot involve guise o f an i m p l i e d infer a threat failed to behaved i n any i n the past. argues d i d n o t do -- and t h e d i s s e n t would on f a c t o r s communication, In other words, that i.e., under t h e and t h e d i s s e n t the fact 8 to and a p a r e n t - c h i l d argument the State nothwithstanding anything f o r h e r s a f e t y on t h e d a y e x i s t e d based the accuser. to f o r her safety. C.D.B. threat threat, C.D.B. C.D.B. d i d n o t d o a n y t h i n g size discrepancy, that the State that the State C.D.B. do n o t e s t a b l i s h a n y t y p e o f t h r e a t e n i n g age d i s c r e p a n c y , case, a t any p o i n t D.E.D. o r t o make h e r f e a r the incident, hold that indicating communication indicating i n d i c a t i n g that 1519 (implied or some e v i d e n c e In fact, Instead, Despite a threat or nonverbal evidence toward Dictionary In the present c o m m u n i c a t e d an i n t e n t t o harm. present Law harm on a n o t h e r that C.D.B. would neither CR-10-0013 expressly or i m p l i c i t l y harm on ... inference this of "communicated [D.E.D.]" of a threat Black's urged case, which involves inference opinion Because physical essential 61(a)(1), delinquency be reversed of based failed to present o f harm, i t f a i l e d first-degree on t h e c h a r g e and a judgment R E V E R S E D AND Kellum, JUDGMENT J . , concurs. with 1519. The and t h e d i s s e n t i n t h e Alabama rape A l a . Code 1975. A c c o r d i n g l y , of specially, under or a threat element by t h e State inflict Supreme Court's J.A.P. the State force Dictionary to two c h i l d r e n , i s p r e c i s e l y t h e t y p e prohibited i n Ex p a r t e Law [an] i n t e n t opinion. any evidence t o e s t a b l i s h an under C.D.B.'s to § 13A-6- adjudication of f i r s t - d e g r e e rape rendered of must i n h i s favor. RENDERED. Welch, P . J . ,and Burke, J . , concur J o i n e r , J . ,d i s s e n t s , with 9 opinion. CR-10-0013 WELCH, P r e s i d i n g I concur insufficient Judge, concurring with the majority Legislature "forcible Article of compulsion" insufficient was then evidence 14 y e a r s Code f o r c h i l d overcomes i m p l i e d , that t o prove physical that force f o rh e r s a f e t y there C . D . B . , who t o overcome any years o l d . t h a t C.D.B. d i d n o t t h r e a t e n In her or when C.D.B. a s k e d h e r t o t a k e compulsion" earnest places i s defined resistance a person 6-60(8), Ala. Code 1975. Further, i n a vacuum; rather 10 as or a i n fear serious physical injury to himself exist offenses i n o f f a n d g e t on t o p o f h i m . "Forcible not to eliminate v i c t i m s , t h e age r e s i s t a n c e b y D.E.D., who was t h e n n i n e clothes rape; c o r r e c t l y concludes that tending o l d , used a d d i t i o n , D.E.D. t e s t i f i e d that C.D.B. o f f i r s t - d e g r e e was f o l l o w , I encourage t h e Alabama case, themajority make h e r a f r a i d there be d e t e r m i n e d b y t h e l e g i s l a t u r e . was her that as an e l e m e n t o f t h e s e x u a l of the Criminal should In this earnest case t o amend § 1 3 A - 6 - 6 0 , A l a . C o d e 1 9 7 5 , Four which i n this evidence to convict however, for the reasons that specially. "[p]hysical threat, express of immediate i t i s viewed or death or or another person." "forcible force § 13A- compulsion i n light does of the CR-10-0013 surrounding circumstances, such as t h e r e s p e c t i v e ages o f t h e v i c t i m and t h e p e r p e t r a t o r , t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p between them, t h e circumstances the victim (Ala. under which t h e a c t t o o k p l a c e , and any i n j u r i e s suffered." Ex p a r t e Williford, 931 S o . 2 d 1 0 , 14 2005). Alabama's f i r s t - d e g r e e - r a p e s t a t u t e , S e c t i o n Ala. Code 13A-6-61(a), 1975, s t a t e s : "(a) A p e r s o n first-degree i f : commits the crime of rape i nthe "(1) He o r she engages i n sexual i n t e r c o u r s e w i t h a member o f t h e o p p o s i t e sex by f o r c i b l e c o m p u l s i o n ; o r "(2) He o r she engages i n sexual i n t e r c o u r s e w i t h a member o f t h e o p p o s i t e s e x who i s i n c a p a b l e o f c o n s e n t b y r e a s o n of being p h y s i c a l l y h e l p l e s s or m e n t a l l y i n c a p a c i t a t e d ; or "(3) He o r s h e , b e i n g 16 y e a r s o r o l d e r , engages i n s e x u a l i n t e r c o u r s e w i t h a member o f t h e o p p o s i t e s e x who i s l e s s t h a n 12 y e a r s o l d . " Here, the State was required to prove under § 13A-6- 6 1 ( a ) ( 1 ) , A l a . C o d e 1 9 7 5 , t h a t D.E.D., a n i n e - y e a r - o l d , e i t h e r earnestly C.D.B. resisted was C.D.B.'s p h y s i c a l f o r c e threatening serious physical injury her life or or perceived threatening her that with i fshe d i d n o t comply w i t h h i s s e x u a l 11 CR-10-0013 advances. B e c a u s e C.D.B. was 14 y e a r s offense, the State could not o l da t t h e time charge him under ofthe § 13A-6- 6 1 ( a ) ( 3 ) , A l a . Code 1 9 7 5 , w h i c h d o e s n o t r e q u i r e t h e S t a t e t o prove forcible age. Under years o f age o r o l d e r than t h e Alabama 12 y e a r s a threat. heavier compulsion f o rvictims less C r i m i n a l Code, than 12 y e a r s i fthe offender i t i s unnecessary that i s 16 a victim o f a g e show r e s i s t a n c e t o t h e r a p i s t of less or perceive H o w e v e r , t h e b u r d e n on t h e p r o s e c u t i o n b e c o m e s much i f the defendant i s less than 16 y e a r s o f age b e c a u s e the p r o s e c u t i o n must p r o v e t h e e l e m e n t o f f o r c i b l e compulsion. When t h e o f f e n d e r must i s a juvenile, more o f a s t r u g g l e o r f e e l been an a d u l t , w h i c h I acknowledge consent to juveniles abuse instigate against proportion than exert i f the offender had j u v e n i l e s of a certain i n t e r c o u r s e ; however, crimes other of sexual threatened victim i s counter-intuitive. that sexual the child a g e may n o t situations of sexual a s s a u l t , rape, juveniles offenses represent a where or sexual substantial committed. "Although t h e numbers v a r y , s t u d i e s r e p o r t a g r o w i n g number o f j u v e n i l e s e x u a l o f f e n d e r s . As r e c e n t l y a s t h e 1 9 8 0 s , l i t t l e a t t e n t i o n was g i v e n t o juvenile sexual offenders. However, t h i s growing p r o b l e m i s f i n a l l y a t t r a c t i n g a t t e n t i o n . I n 2000, twenty-three percent o f a l l s e x u a l o f f e n d e r s were 12 CR-10-0013 u n d e r t h e age o f e i g h t e e n . Forty percent of those o f f e n d e r s v i c t i m i z e d c h i l d r e n u n d e r t h e age o f s i x . I n 2003, t h e F e d e r a l Bureau o f I n v e s t i g a t i o n (FBI) reported that o f t h e 18,446 arrests made f o r f o r c i b l e r a p e s , 1,108 o f t h o s e a r r e s t e d w e r e u n d e r t h e age o f f i f t e e n a n d 2,966 w e r e u n d e r t h e age o f eighteen. Most d i s t u r b i n g i s t h e r e p o r t t h a t o f t h o s e 18,446 a r r e s t e d , t w e n t y - e i g h t were under t h e age o f t e n , 266 were b e t w e e n t h e age o f t e n a n d t w e l v e , a n d 814 w e r e a g e s t h i r t e e n t o f o u r t e e n . The r e p o r t a l s o s h o w e d t h a t o f t h e 6 3 , 7 5 9 a r r e s t s made for sexual offenses other than rape and p r o s t i t u t i o n , 6,531 o f t h o s e a r r e s t e d w e r e u n d e r t h e age o f f i f t e e n a n d 12,747 were u n d e r t h e age o f eighteen. Of t h o s e arrested under t h e age o f f i f t e e n , 420 w e r e u n d e r a g e t e n , 1,873 w e r e a g e s t e n t o t w e l v e , a n d 4,238 w e r e a g e s t h i r t e e n t o f o u r t e e n . Two c o m m e n t a t o r s n o t e d t h a t ' [ t ] h e b e s t a v a i l a b l e estimates claim that approximately twenty percent of a l l rapes and between t h i r t y and f i f t y percent o f a l l c h i l d m o l e s t a t i o n s a r e p e r p e t r a t e d by adolescent males.' "Some s t u d i e s r e p o r t t h a t , o v e r a l l , j u v e n i l e a r r e s t r a t e s have d e c r e a s e d s i n c e t h e 1980s. The FBI's V i o l e n t Crime Index r e p o r t s a r r e s t r a t e s f o r the most s e r i o u s c r i m e s , s u c h as m u r d e r , forcible rape, robbery, and a g g r a v a t e d a s s a u l t . I n 2002, this report showed that, on a v e r a g e , juvenile a r r e s t s f o r these offenses had dropped by nineteen percent since 1998 t o t h e i r lowest levels since 1980. W h i l e t h e s e numbers a r e e n c o u r a g i n g , a c l o s e r l o o k a t t h e s t a t i s t i c s r e v e a l s t h a t there has not been a s i g n i f i c a n t drop i n j u v e n i l e s e x u a l o f f e n s e s . F o r c i b l e rape a r r e s t s dropped fourteen percent from 1998-2002, b u t a r r e s t s f o r sex o f f e n s e s o t h e r than forcible rape and p r o s t i t u t i o n increased nine p e r c e n t d u r i n g t h a t same p e r i o d . I n 2002, j u v e n i l e s still made u p t w e n t y p e r c e n t of a r r e s t s f o r sex o f f e n s e s other than f o r c i b l e rape and p r o s t i t u t i o n , and s e v e n t e e n p e r c e n t o f a r r e s t s f o r f o r c i b l e r a p e s . 13 CR-10-0013 "One s t u d y , by Howard S n y d e r of t h e N a t i o n a l C e n t e r f o r J u v e n i l e J u s t i c e , compiled data from the N a t i o n a l I n c i d e n t - B a s e d R e p o r t i n g S y s t e m (NIBRS) t o p r o v i d e an i n t e r e s t i n g l o o k a t t h e age d i f f e r e n c e s between j u v e n i l e o f f e n d e r s and juvenile victims. T h i s d a t a s u g g e s t e d t h a t c h i l d r e n n i n e - y e a r s - o l d and younger c o n s t i t u t e d s e v e n t y - e i g h t percent of the v i c t i m s o f t e n - y e a r - o l d and under o f f e n d e r s , but only thirteen percent of the victims of seventeen-year-old o f f e n d e r s were n i n e or y o u n g e r . Moreover, of a l l the v i c t i m s under n i n e - y e a r s - o l d , s i x t y p e r c e n t were v i c t i m i z e d by o f f e n d e r s younger t h a n f o u r t e e n and e i g h t y - e i g h t p e r c e n t by offenders younger than f i f t e e n . "Not o n l y a r e more and more j u v e n i l e s c o m m i t t i n g s e x u a l o f f e n s e s , but t h e i r crimes are worsening i n severity. F o r i n s t a n c e , i n one [ T e x a s ] 2004 c a s e , a fourteen-year-old juvenile was adjudicated delinquent on two counts of aggravated sexual a s s a u l t f o r an a t t a c k on a n i n e - y e a r - o l d g i r l . The v i c t i m ' s h e a d and g e n i t a l r e g i o n were b r u i s e d . Her i n j u r i e s w e r e s e v e r e e n o u g h t o l e a v e b l o o d on her c l o t h e s a n d i n h e r home. The e x a m i n i n g counselor d e s c r i b e d t h e f o u r t e e n - y e a r - o l d as a p o w e r r a p i s t . I n a n o t h e r c a s e i n G e o r g i a , a s i x t e e n - y e a r - o l d was c h a r g e d w i t h r a p i n g two e i g h t - y e a r - o l d s , one o f whom was h i s n e p h e w . The y o u t h was s e n t e n c e d as a c h i l d molester because the rapes a l l e g e d l y o c c u r r e d on s e v e r a l o c c a s i o n s o v e r an e x t e n d e d p e r i o d o f t i m e . "Illustrations o f t h i s t r e n d c a n be seen i n A l a b a m a i n t h e f i r s t few months o f 2 0 0 3 . In J a n u a r y o f 2 0 0 3 , an A l a b a m a b o y , o n l y t w e l v e - y e a r s - o l d , was accused of involvement in the raping of a nine-year-old girl. One month later, a f o u r t e e n - y e a r - o l d A l a b a m a b o y was a c c u s e d o f r a p i n g a thirteen-year-old girl at their junior high school. In April, also at a school, a 14 CR-10-0013 f i f t e e n - y e a r - o l d Alabama boy a fourteen-year-old g i r l . " J e s s i c a S. V a r n o n , Tougher 205-08 It on Difficult Juvenile (Fall Sexual settled accused Offenders? that whether State, So. the element of 154 (Ala. Crim. forcible 57 A l a . L. t h e r e has i s a q u e s t i o n f o r the t r i e r 2d raping Rev. Be 205, omitted)]. compulsion 910 of D e c i s i o n s : S h o u l d A l a b a m a Laws 2 005)[(footnotes is well was compulsion of f a c t . been forcible M c G l o c k l i n v. App. 2005). Yet, as to a c h i l d proving victim is a d a u n t i n g t a s k because c h i l d r e n have a l i m i t e d u n d e r s t a n d i n g of sexual as to victim. relations. the There difficulty In W i l l i f o r d , of i s a plethora proving this the of caselaw element Supreme C o u r t as i n Alabama to a stated: "The f o r c e n e c e s s a r y t o s u s t a i n a c o n v i c t i o n f o r first-degree rape or first-degree sodomy is relative. P i t t m a n v . S t a t e , 460 So. 2d 2 3 2 , 235 (Ala. Crim. App. 1984) ('The force required to consummate t h e c r i m e [of rape] a g a i n s t a mature female i s not the s t a n d a r d f o r a p p l i c a t i o n i n a case i n which the a l l e g e d v i c t i m i s a c h i l d thirteen y e a r s o f a g e . ' ) , w r i t q u a s h e d , 466 So. 2 d 951 ( A l a . 1985). '[T]he "totality of the circumstances" s h o u l d be c o n s i d e r e d i n d e c i d i n g w h e t h e r t h e r e was sufficient evidence of forcible compulsion ' P a r r i s h v . S t a t e , 4 94 So. 2 d [ 7 0 5 ] a t 713 [(Ala. C r i m . App. 1985)]. " I n c o n c l u d i n g t h a t t h e e v i d e n c e was sufficient to support a f i n d i n g of f o r c i b l e compulsion, the Court of C r i m i n a l Appeals relied on Parrish v. 15 child CR-10-0013 State, supra. I n P a r r i s h t h e e v i d e n c e showed t h a t P a r r i s h touched a 12-year-old g i r l ' s 'private parts' w h i l e t h e c h i l d p r e t e n d e d t o b e a s l e e p on a b e d i n P a r r i s h ' s house. 494 S o . 2 d a t 7 0 6 - 0 9 . P a r r i s h was the b o y f r i e n d of the c h i l d ' s mother. The child t e s t i f i e d that Parrish e l d h e r down b y p l a c i n g h i s f o o t over h e r l e g and t h a t P a r r i s h l e f t t h e bedroom when s h e p r e t e n d e d t o w a k e u p . 494 S o . 2 d a t 7 0 7 . T h e r e was b l o o d i n the c h i l d ' s panties, and t h e C o u r t o f C r i m i n a l A p p e a l s c o n c l u d e d t h e r e was no e v i d e n c e o f any r e a s o n f o r t h e b l o o d 'other than t h e attack i t s e l f . ' 494 S o . 2 d a t 7 1 1 . " "In a f f i r m i n g P a r r i s h ' s c o n v i c t i o n , the Court of Criminal Appeals held that the fact that a 12-year-old g i r l m a k e s no e f f o r t t o r e s i s t a s e x u a l c o n f r o n t a t i o n beyond p r e t e n d i n g t o be a s l e e p does not negate t h e i n f e r e n c e t h a t s u f f i c i e n t l e g a l f o r c e was used to satisfy the element of forcible compulsion. 494 S o . 2 d a t 7 0 9 . The C o u r t o f C r i m i n a l A p p e a l s a l s o h e l d t h a t when t h e i s s u e o f sufficiency of the evidence i s raised in a sexual-abuse case, questions involving resistance a n d c o n s e n t m u s t be v i e w e d ' " i n t h e f r a m e o f t h e a g e of t h e a s s a u l t e d g i r l . " ' 494 S o . 2 d a t 710 ( q u o t i n g S m i t h v . S t a t e , 36 A l a . A p p . 2 0 9 , 2 1 3 , 55 S o . 2 d 202, 206 ( 1 9 5 1 ) ) . T h e r e was no e v i d e n c e suggesting 'that the v i c t i m requested, encouraged, consented to or otherwise gave permission or sanction to, [Parrish's] actions.' 494 S o . 2 d a t 7 1 3 . The r e c o r d d i d n o t c o n t a i n any i n d i c a t i o n t h a t P a r r i s h c o u l d have e n t e r t a i n e d , a t any time, '"any i d e a o r expectation of permissive" sexual contact.' 494 S o . 2d a t 713. The C o u r t o f C r i m i n a l A p p e a l s also c o n c l u d e d t h a t t h e r e was no r e a s o n f o r t h e r e t o b e blood i n the c h i l d ' s p a n t i e s , other than P a r r i s h ' s attack. Considering the totality of the circumstances, the Court of Criminal Appeals c o n c l u d e d t h a t t h e r e c o r d showed s u f f i c i e n t e v i d e n c e of f o r c i b l e compulsion t o support a c o n v i c t i o n o f f i r s t - d e g r e e sexual abuse. [footnote o m i t t e d ] 494 So. 2 d a t 7 1 3 . T h e r e f o r e , f o r c i b l e c o m p u l s i o n does 16 CR-10-0013 not e x i s t i n a vacuum; r a t h e r , i t i s v i e w e d i n l i g h t of the surrounding circumstances, such as the r e s p e c t i v e ages o f t h e v i c t i m and t h e perpetrator, the r e l a t i o n s h i p between them, the circumstances u n d e r w h i c h t h e a c t t o o k p l a c e , and any i n j u r i e s t h e victim suffered." Ex parte Williford, I n Powe v . Court 931 State, So. 597 2d So. at 2d 13-14). 721 ( A l a . 1991), the Supreme stated: " I n P i t t m a n [ v . S t a t e , 460 So. 2d 2 3 2 , 235 ( A l a . C r i m . App. 1 9 8 4 ) ] , the C o u r t of C r i m i n a l Appeals h e l d that ' [ i ] t i s c l e a r t h a t the f o r c e r e q u i r e d to consummate rape i n the f i r s t d e g r e e i s n e c e s s a r i l y relative. The force required t o consummate the crime a g a i n s t a mature female i s not the standard for a p p l i c a t i o n i n a case i n which the alleged victim is a child.' 460 So. 2d a t 2 3 5 . The Pittman c o u r t c o n c l u d e d t h a t the evidence i n t h a t case was sufficient to satisfy the forcible compulsion element of rape i n the first degree. Id. The evidence consisted mainly of the 13-year-old v i c t i m ' s t e s t i m o n y t h a t she initially refused to have i n t e r c o u r s e w i t h her s t e p f a t h e r , the d e f e n d a n t , but t h a t she e v e n t u a l l y c o o p e r a t e d a f t e r she was expressly threatened. 460 So. 2d a t 2 3 4 - 3 5 . "In P a r r i s h , the Court of Criminal Appeals addressed a sufficiency-of-the-evidence argument with regard to a first degree sexual abuse conviction. The f i r s t d e g r e e s e x u a l a b u s e s t a t u t e , like the first degree rape statute, requires a finding of forcible compulsion. See § 1 3 A - 6 - 6 6 ( a ) ( 1 ) , A l a . Code 1975. "The evidence in Parrish showed that the d e f e n d a n t , who was the b o y f r i e n d of the victim's mother, touched the 12-year-old victim's private p a r t s w h i l e t h e v i c t i m p r e t e n d e d t o be a s l e e p on a 17 CR-10-0013 bed i n t h e a p p e l l a n t ' s house. 494 S o . 2 d a t 7 0 6 - 0 9 . The v i c t i m i n P a r r i s h t e s t i f i e d t h a t t h e d e f e n d a n t h e l d h e r down b y p u t t i n g h i s f o o t o v e r h e r l e g a n d t h a t when s h e p r e t e n d e d t o w a k e u p , t h e d e f e n d a n t l e f t t h e room. 494 S o . 2 d a t 7 0 7 . I n a f f i r m i n g t h e c o n v i c t i o n , t h e P a r r i s h c o u r t h e l d t h a t t h e mere f a c t t h a t a 1 2 - y e a r - o l d g i r l m a k e s no e f f o r t t o r e s i s t a s e x u a l c o n f r o n t a t i o n does n o t negate t h e inference that s u f f i c i e n t legal force existed. 494 So. 2 d a t 7 0 9 . The c o u r t w e n t o n t o h o l d t h a t when a sufficiency-of-the-evidence issue i s raised i n c a s e s s t e m m i n g f r o m an a l l e g e d s e x u a l a s s a u l t o f m i n o r s , q u e s t i o n s i n v o l v i n g r e s i s t a n c e and consent must be v i e w e d i n t h e c o n t e x t o f t h e age o f t h e assaulted minor. 494 S o . 2 d a t 7 1 0 . Applying a totality-of-the-circumstances test, the court concluded that the record revealed a sufficient evidentiary showing on the f o r c i b l e compulsion element of the crime charged. 494 S o . 2 d a t 7 1 3 . "Although the P a r r i s h court u l t i m a t e l y held that t h e e l e m e n t o f f o r c i b l e c o m p u l s i o n was s a t i s f i e d b y the fact that t h e v i c t i m was h e l d down b y t h e d e f e n d a n t and by t h e f a c t t h a t t h e v i c t i m s t a t e d t h a t she had b l o o d i n h e r p a n t i e s a f t e r t h e a s s a u l t , other factors that the court considered significant were: (1) t h e v i c t i m ' s a g e a n d t h e f a c t t h a t t h e attack was p e r p e t r a t e d by t h e b o y f r i e n d of the v i c t i m ' s m o t h e r ; (2) t h a t t h e d e f e n d a n t , who h a d been d r i n k i n g and smoking m a r i j u a n a , g o t i n t o bed w i t h t h e v i c t i m ; (3) t h a t t h e v i c t i m t e s t i f i e d t h a t t h e d e f e n d a n t h a d s e x u a l l y m o l e s t e d h e r on a n o t h e r o c c a s i o n b u t t h a t h e r m o t h e r h a d i g n o r e d h e r when s h e t r i e d t o t e l l h e r a b o u t t h e a s s a u l t ; a n d (4) t h a t t h e v i c t i m was i n a p a r t i c u l a r l y vulnerable s i t u a t i o n because the a s s a u l t took place at the defendant's residence. 494 S o . 2 d a t 7 1 0 . The c o u r t , i n P a r r i s h , f u r t h e r noted that the j u r y had the opportunity to consider f a c t o r s s u c h as t h e r e l a t i v e s i z e o f t h e p a r t i e s , t h e i r ages, and t h e i r social differences. Id. 18 CR-10-0013 "A t h i r d C o u r t o f C r i m i n a l A p p e a l s c a s e c i t e d b y t h e p a r t i e s i s R i d e r v . S t a t e , 544 S o . 2 d 994 ( A l a . C r i m . A p p . 1 9 8 9 ) , [ o v e r r u l e d b y R.E.N. v . S t a t e , 944 So. 2 d 981 ( A l a . C r i m . A p p . 2 0 0 6 ) , ] w h i c h was r e l i e d on b y t h e c o u r t b e l o w i n i t s r e v e r s a l o f P o w e ' s conviction. I n R i d e r , as i n P i t t m a n and i n P a r r i s h , the defendant's primary argument was that the e v i d e n c e was i n s u f f i c i e n t t o s u p p o r t a f i n d i n g o f forcible compulsion. 544 S o . 2 d a t 9 9 4 . The defendant i n Rider, the 27-year-old stepfather of t h e a l l e g e d v i c t i m , a c h i l d , was c o n v i c t e d o f s e x u a l a b u s e i n t h e f i r s t d e g r e e a n d sodomy i n t h e f i r s t degree. I d . The c h i l d t e s t i f i e d t h a t t h e d e f e n d a n t forced h e r hand onto h i s penis and t h a t the defendant touched h e r b r e a s t s and h e r v a g i n a . Id. The child further testified that the defendant p e r f o r m e d o r a l s e x on h e r a n d a s k e d h e r t o p e r f o r m oral s e x on h i m . I d . She t e s t i f i e d that the t o u c h i n g began sometime a f t e r h e r 9 t h b i r t h d a y and continued u n t i l around her 12th b i r t h d a y . 544 S o . 2d a t 9 9 5 . When t h e p r o s e c u t o r asked the c h i l d i f she ' v o l u n t a r i l y ' p e r f o r m e d o r a l s e x a c t s on t h e d e f e n d a n t , she d i d n o t answer. I d . She t e s t i f i e d t h a t she t r i e d t o 'mind' h e r s t e p f a t h e r b e c a u s e she ' l i k e d t h e way he t r e a t e d h e r , l i k e s h e was h i s o n l y child.' I d . She f u r t h e r s t a t e d t h a t t h e d e f e n d a n t had n e v e r done a n y t h i n g t o make h e r a f r a i d o f h i m and that s h e was n o t a f r a i d of him. Id. In reversing the defendant's conviction, the Rider c o u r t c o n c l u d e d t h a t t h e r e was no e v i d e n c e t h a t t h e c h i l d made a n y p r o t e s t o r c o m p l a i n t t o t h e d e f e n d a n t s u f f i c i e n t to i n d i c a t e that her earnest resistance was overcome. Id. Applying the totality-of-the-circumstances standard, the court f o u n d t h a t t h e e v i d e n c e was i n s u f f i c i e n t t o s u p p o r t a f i n d i n g of either physical force or a threat, express or implied. 544 S o . 2 d a t 9 9 6 . "After reviewing the Court of C r i m i n a l Appeals' decisions i n Pittman, P a r r i s h , a n d R i d e r , we f i n d t h e f a c t s o f e a c h t o be d i s t i n g u i s h a b l e f r o m t h e facts presented i n the i n s t a n t case. In Pittman, 19 CR-10-0013 t h e r e was e v i d e n c e t h a t t h e v i c t i m was expressly threatened, and t h a t evidence was held t o be s u f f i c i e n t on t h e e l e m e n t o f f o r c i b l e compulsion. I n P a r r i s h , t h e r e was e v i d e n c e t h a t p h y s i c a l f o r c e was u s e d t o r e s t r a i n t h e v i c t i m , a n d t h a t e v i d e n c e was h e l d t o b e s u f f i c i e n t e v i d e n c e on t h e e l e m e n t o f f o r c i b l e compulsion. F i n a l l y , i n R i d e r , t h e r e was n e i t h e r a t h r e a t o f any k i n d n o r t h e use o f any physical force. F u r t h e r m o r e , t h e r e was n o t h i n g i n t h e r e c o r d t o show t h a t t h e s e x a c t s w e r e anything other than voluntary. "The r e c o r d i n t h i s c a s e r e v e a l s no e v i d e n c e t h a t p h y s i c a l f o r c e was u s e d on t h e v i c t i m o r t h a t t h e v i c t i m was e x p r e s s l y t h r e a t e n e d . Therefore, we f i n d the Court of C r i m i n a l Appeals' d e c i s i o n s i n Pittman and Parrish, since those cases, r e s p e c t i v e l y , concern e v i d e n c e o f p h y s i c a l f o r c e and e v i d e n c e o f an e x p r e s s t h r e a t , t o be i n a p p l i c a b l e under t h e f a c t s of the present case. Furthermore, we d i s t i n g u i s h t h e R i d e r c a s e b e c a u s e we f i n d t h a t the evidence i n the present case, unlike the e v i d e n c e i n R i d e r , m e r i t s an a n a l y s i s o f w h e t h e r , viewing the t o t a l i t y of the circumstances, a jury c o u l d p r o p e r l y f i n d t h a t a n i m p l i e d t h r e a t was made against the v i c t i m s u f f i c i e n t to s a t i s f y the element of f o r c i b l e c o m p u l s i o n . " Powe v . S t a t e , This 597 S o . 2 d a t 7 2 5 - 2 6 . Court has previously held that the element of f o r c i b l e c o m p u l s i o n c a n be p r o v e d w i t h o u t e v i d e n c e o f p h y s i c a l f o r c e o r e v i d e n c e o f an e x p r e s s t h r e a t position of dominance or control evidence o f an i m p l i e d threat. (Ala. 1991). I n Ex p a r t e the v i c t i m , Powe v . S t a t e , J.A.P., 20 over i f t h e d e f e n d a n t was i n which i s 597 S o . 2 d 721 853 S o . 2 d 280 (Ala. 2002), CR-10-0013 a "delinquency petition was filed i n the Jefferson Juvenile C o u r t , c h a r g i n g J.A.P., a 1 4 - y e a r - o l d male, w i t h t h e a t t e m p t e d first-degree So. 2d at rape 281. of h i s 9-year-old J.A.P. argued on half sister, appeal i n s u f f i c i e n t evidence of f o r c i b l e compulsion delinquent held of the p e t i t i o n . The C o u r t t h a t t h e r e was s u f f i c i e n t delinquent of attempted evidence first-degree that L.P." 853 there was to a d j u d i c a t e him of Criminal Appeals t o a d j u d i c a t e J.A.P. rape: "The record indicates the f o l l o w i n g : The i n c i d e n t i n q u e s t i o n o c c u r r e d when t h e a p p e l l a n t a n d t h e v i c t i m w e r e a l o n e a t home. The a p p e l l a n t , who was a p p r o x i m a t e l y f o u r a n d a h a l f y e a r s o l d e r t h a n t h e v i c t i m , made t h e v i c t i m w a t c h a p o r n o g r a p h i c video, attempted t o engage i n s e x u a l i n t e r c o u r s e w i t h h e r , and t o l d t h e v i c t i m n o t t o t e l l anyone. T h i s was n o t t h e f i r s t i n c i d e n t o f t h e s e x u a l a b u s e o f t h e v i c t i m . F r o m t h e t i m e t h a t s h e was f o u r o r f i v e y e a r s o l d , t h e v i c t i m had been t h e o b j e c t o f c o n t i n u e d s e x u a l abuse by o l d e r males, including C.P. ( t h e a p p e l l a n t ' s b r o t h e r , who was f i v e years o l d e r t h a n t h e a p p e l l a n t ) , a f r i e n d o f C.P.'s, an u n c l e , a n d t h e a p p e l l a n t . (R. 6 0 - 6 1 , 7 2 - 7 3 . ) The a p p e l l a n t h a d shown t h e v i c t i m a p o r n o g r a p h i c v i d e o on a t l e a s t o n e p r e v i o u s o c c a s i o n ; he h a d t o u c h e d t h e v i c t i m i n h e r g e n i t a l a r e a w i t h h i s p e n i s on a t l e a s t o n e o c c a s i o n b e f o r e t h i s i n c i d e n t ; a n d he h a d touched the v i c t i m ' s g e n i t a l area with h i s f i n g e r s on n u m e r o u s o c c a s i o n s . (R. 6 0 , 6 2 , 7 2 , 7 9 - 8 1 . ) The e v i d e n c e a l s o i n d i c a t e d t h a t t h e a p p e l l a n t and t h e v i c t i m were r a i s e d i n a d y s f u n c t i o n a l h o u s e h o l d , i n t h e p r e s e n c e o f a p a r e n t a n d a s t e p p a r e n t who a b u s e d a l c o h o l and/or t o o k i l l e g a l drugs, and t h a t they were q u i t e often left to fend f o r themselves, 21 CR-10-0013 w i t h o u t p a r e n t a l s u p e r v i s i o n , and w i t h to pornographic videos. (R. 1 1 9 - 6 1 . ) ready access "With r e s p e c t to the i n c i d e n t i n q u e s t i o n , the v i c t i m t e s t i f i e d t h a t the a p p e l l a n t 'made' her watch t h e p o r n o g r a p h i c v i d e o b y t e l l i n g h e r t o 'come o n ' a n d t h a t s h e a l w a y s k n e w when s h e was t o l d t o w a t c h one o f t h e p o r n o g r a p h i c v i d e o s w i t h h e r o l d e r h a l f brothers that sexual contact would follow. The v i c t i m a l s o t e s t i f i e d t h a t s h e was ' a f r a i d ' o f t h e a p p e l l a n t a n d t h a t s h e k n e w t h a t w h a t he was doing was w r o n g . (R. 5 1 - 5 4 , 5 7 - 5 9 , 6 5 - 6 9 , 79, 8 3 - 8 5 , 90.) The e v i d e n c e r e v e a l e d a c o n t i n u i n g p a t t e r n o f s e x u a l a b u s e by the victim's older half brothers. The v i c t i m a c k n o w l e d g e d a f e a r o f a n y m a l e who w a n t e d t o t o u c h h e r . (R. 9 2 - 9 3 . ) "The appellant testified that he had been s e x u a l l y a b u s e d b y h i s b r o t h e r , C.P., on a n u m b e r o f occasions. (R. 1 7 2 - 7 5 . ) He a l s o s t a t e d d u r i n g the h e a r i n g t h a t n o t h i n g had p h y s i c a l l y p r e v e n t e d him from engaging i n s e x u a l i n t e r c o u r s e w i t h the v i c t i m . He testified t h a t he h a d aborted h i s attempt to p e n e t r a t e t h e v i c t i m b e c a u s e she b e g a n t o c r y . The evidence also i n d i c a t e d , and the juvenile court noted, t h a t the a p p e l l a n t had previously told a p o l i c e i n v e s t i g a t o r t h a t he h a d s t o p p e d b e c a u s e he could not p h y s i c a l l y i n s e r t his penis into the victim's vagina. (R. 2 0 2 - 0 6 . ) " J.A.P. v. State, 853 So. 2d 2 64 , 266-67 (Ala. Crim. App. 2001). The 778 was So. Court 2d 863 sufficient juvenile of Criminal (Ala. Crim. evidence offender was an Appeals App. of relied 2000), forcible older 22 on B.E. v. State, which held that compulsion where family member who there the exerted CR-10-0013 d o m i n a n c e and Alabama c o n t r o l over the j u v e n i l e v i c t i m . Supreme Court reversed the judgment of C r i m i n a l A p p e a l s , o v e r r u l i n g B.E. v. holding a s s a u l t s by to cases i n v o l v i n g sexual However, S t a t e , and the Court limited adults the of Powe's on child a child v i c t i m " e a r n e s t l y r e s i s t e d " another j u v e n i l e ' s p h y s i c a l force victims. Therefore, to perform requiring sexual acts, that in the effect, u n d e r s t a n d the nature of s e x u a l is wrong, inappropriate incapable of understand or doing. the scarred whether offending over the for of life the when e v i d e n c e t h a t t h e r e was not be under the victim victim control considered or as i t be do but victimized. why to may children activity f o r c i b l e compulsion. often placed the child sexual that appreciate young juvenile exerted j u v e n i l e v i c t i m may c h i l d r e n are a c t i v i t y and which ramifications prove requires Certainly very emotionally the State not can be Further, dominance sufficient However, younger s u p e r v i s i o n o f o l d e r , more mature c h i l d r e n f o r s h o r t e r p e r i o d s when a d u l t s u p e r v i s i o n may not i f a younger not be being available. supervised often w i l l Moreover, by even another older i m i t a t e the older child 23 child, or the child younger accede to the is child wishes of CR-10-0013 the older Older child children either have younger c h i l d r e n , to imitate may and stem from c h i l d r e n may children, as that acute t o a c t more l i k e i n an something as a m a t t e r less § do invidious harmful I believe express or i m p l i e d , offense i f the victim the of offender. compulsion was the pressure. behavior of a children older child, "grown up." a which Older should Alabama J u v e n i l e enacted "to younger 1975, states i n c a p a b l e of consent Code the nature i s below t o be a Ala. o l d are s h o u l d n o t be i s a matter entice The and and/or of young consequences threats, a certain age, t o be an element determined Justice facilitate by regardless at which the of and of whether an e l e m e n t o f a j u v e n i l e p r e c i s e age 24 sometimes, themselves. therefore, force continue to but that child victims not understand relations; the to 16 y e a r s sexual 1975, peer among y o u n g manner 13A-6-70(c)(1), than of law. tender years The upon there i s a tendency a desire case, victims offenses effect or a c c e d e t o t h e d e m a n d s o f an addition, age ignorance s o m e t i m e s i n ways t h a t a r e h a r m l e s s , t o do In and of use t h i s w i l l i n g n e s s t o t a k e a d v a n t a g e of y o u n g e r in this child an out sex of forcible juvenile sex legislature. Act, § 1 2 - 1 5 - 1 0 1 , A l a . Code the protection, care, and CR-10-0013 discipline o f c h i l d r e n who come u n d e r t h e j u r i s d i c t i o n juvenile court, while juvenile court of the acknowledging the r e s p o n s i b i l i t y of the to preserve the p u b l i c peace and security." Under t h e p r o v i s i o n s and mechanisms o f t h i s act,j u v e n i l e sex offenders and for may b e a p p r o p r i a t e l y d i s c i p l i n e d the offenses which they commit. I respectfully the Alabama L e g i s l a t u r e t o remove " f o r c i b l e element from sexual of young and t e n d e r child offenders amendment, juvenile court years there offenders i s I Judge, committed no and tender adequate within compulsion" against years. statute child as an victims and this bring these of the j u v e n i l e treatment. concurring Without to the j u r i s d i c t i o n specially. agree t h a t the c u r r e n t sexual-abuse unpunished, request who h a v e b e e n s e x u a l l y a s s a u l t e d b y of young f o r punishment BURKE, and offenses rehabilitated where crimes law i n Alabama a l l o w s against the perpetrator child was some victims also rape to a child. go Judge Windom's w e l l w r i t t e n o p i n i o n s t a t e s t h e l a w as a p p l i e d t o t h e facts of t h i s case. more than feet 6 In t h i s matter, tall and who 25 a 14-year-old weighed b o y who was approximately 300 CR-10-0013 pounds, girl. had 1 sexual These circumstances justice for statute requires this a showing of c a n n o t be he convicted district attorneys types of State fails may children, e s p e c i a l l y when t h e than victim. believe replaced believe that In the with that sex element elements of that reflect the compulsion account other i s older and bigger two children, compulsion a child's should naivete r e s u l t a n t a c q u i e s c e n c e , even where the p e r p e t r a t o r child. I statutes to and the believe consider the perpetrator, surrounding the this the act and should for the determination, and done by age differential as well the requirement of f o r c i b l e matter be as fact-finder's ensure j u s t i c e is other 26 be and the those victim circumstances than This consideration adhering would present and for victims like to a weighing the little According t o t h e f o r e n s i c r e p o r t made f o l l o w i n g i n c i d e n t , he w e i g h e d 360 p o u n d s a t t h a t t i m e . (C. 30.) 1 I another modifying between parties, rather compulsion. that to involving forcible 14- acquiesce perpetrator crimes rape the into must the by forcible take demand Requiring rape. to prove they because compulsion of to 90-pound d i s t u r b i n g and forcible cases of 9-year-old, However, our children the a greatly girl. boy, these are with little year-old in intercourse the CR-10-0013 girl i n this legislature JOINER, I matter. to revisit Judge, the rape presented State sufficient element A l a . Code with compulsion "[p]hysical threat, 1975 another force or person." ("A p e r s o n rape. commits of the See § 13A- the crime sex by compulsion" that serious § appeal i s evidence of the opposite overcomes or implied, death i n this of first-degree "Forcible that issue of i f ... [ h ] e o r s h e e n g a g e s i n s e x u a l a member " ) . express immediate ask the statute. The i n the first-degree intercourse respectfully dissent. forcible-compulsion 6-61(a)(1), this I dissenting. respectfully whether Therefore, earnest places physical 13A-6-60(8), forcible i s defined resistance a person a i n fear of to himself injury A l a . Code or as or 1975 (emphasis added). The main opinion holds that there was insufficient e v i d e n c e o f f o r c i b l e c o m p u l s i o n t o s u p p o r t C.D.B.'s for first-degree sufficient threat, rape. evidence of As t o whether forcible the State compulsion by conviction presented an implied t h e m a i n o p i n i o n c i t e s E x p a r t e J . A . P . , 853 S o . 2 d 280 27 CR-10-0013 (Ala. the 2002). The m a i n o p i n i o n Alabama Supreme C o u r t h e l d State, 597 threat may sexual assault of So. be in 2d 721 that under which i n 'cases an and c h i l d r e n ' and cases over involving the sexual So. 2d a t 2 8 4 ) . The m a i n o p i n i o n 955, 3d a t 957 ( A l a . Crim. exercised relations (quoting also App. positions does not between Ex p a r t e cites implied i n v o l v i n g the who control J.A.P. i n Powe v . of c h i l d r e n by a d u l t s So. 3d i n Ex p a r t e " i t s decision only children." So. that ( A l a . 1991), inferred, applies domination apply states two J.A.P., D.W. 853 v. S t a t e , 3 2008), for the same suggests that Ex parte proposition. To extent the main holds J.A.P. the that the State forcible a opinion may c o m p u l s i o n b y an i m p l i e d juvenile, I never prove threat r e s p e c t f u l l y disagree. the element of when t h e a c c u s e d i s I f Ex parte J.A.P. indeed stands f o r the p r o p o s i t i o n that f o r c i b l e compulsion may never two b e p r o v e d b y an i m p l i e d juveniles, of the the d e c i s i o n language compulsion" exclude from in threat i n a case is in conflict the statutory i n § 13A-6-60(8), with i t s a p p l i c a t i o n cases 28 the p l a i n meaning definition A l a . Code involving of "forcible 1975, w h i c h involving two does not juveniles. CR-10-0013 The holding those i n Ex p a r t e J.A.P., however, i s c l e a r l y l i m i t e d t o situations implied threat i n which solely by inferred based position of domination Ex J.A.P., parte State, its assault of children the present control incident, over between C.D.B. a n d D.E.D. weighed less testimony that was 6 who be exercising a Court [ i n Powe v . involving exercised victim. clear that the sexual positions of the children."). exercised Rather, does not argue, threat less 1 the State inch than 85 p o u n d s . tall 4 feet The S t a t e before as t h e may b e i n f e r r e d a position a n d D.E.D.--at feet a t some p o i n t an may the alleged ("This an i m p l i e d C.D.B. was pounds, than over the State that D.E.D. the threat allegedly t o cases adults over allegedly t o prove 1 9 9 1 ) , ] made i t q u i t e only case, suggests, C.D.B. discrepancy she and c o n t r o l by and c o n t r o l main o p i n i o n and the accused's apply attempts that 8 5 3 S o . 2 d a t 284 would domination because alleging 597 S o . 2 d 721 ( A l a . holding In upon the State of domination cites the size t h e time of the and weighed 3 inches also cites the incident tall 327 and D.E.D's i n question h a d s e e n C.D.B. " r i p a b e l t a w a y f r o m h i s d a d w h i l e h e w a s 29 CR-10-0013 being whipped." (State's b r i e f , p . 9.) Specifically, D.E.D. testified: "Q. ... [ W ] h a t d i d y o u t h i n k w o u l d h a p p e n i f y o u t o l d [ C . D . B . ] , n o , I'm n o t g o i n g t o s i t down o n t o p o f y o u , I'm n o t g o i n g t o d o t h a t ? What d i d y o u t h i n k was g o i n g t o h a p p e n ? "A. When D a d d y w a s w h o o p i n g [C.D.B.] w h e n h e d i d s o m e t h i n g b e f o r e t h a t , he s n a t c h e d t h e b e l t away f r o m D a d d y , a n d w h e n D a d d y came o u t o f t h e k i t c h e n , h i s t o e was b l e e d i n g . I d i d n ' t want h i m t o f i n d anything a r o u n d me t h a t h e c o u l d h i t me w i t h a n d h u r t me." (R. 27 (emphasis circumstances, the State D.E.D. t o t h i n k what he t o l d as might D.E.D.'s threat exist Instead, b a s e d on a s p e c i f i c f r o m Ex p a r t e J.A.P., s u p r a , there was J.A.P. no evidence fear was n o t b a s e d sort on a of of disciplinary a parent-child her fear h a v i n g s e e n C.D.B. "snatch" t h e f a t h e r was d i s c i p l i n i n g h i m . the facts relied. h e r i f s h e d i d n o t do to her testimony, instance: I think particular i t was r e a s o n a b l e f o r some according Accordingly, parte of these i n the context a b e l t from h i s f a t h e r while Ex that C.D.B. w o u l d h u r t "implied relationship. was that Under argues h e r t o do. generalized action" added).) i n this case distinguishi t a s w e l l a s Powe, s u p r a , In both indicating 30 Ex p a r t e that J.A.P. on w h i c h a n d Powe, the alleged victims CR-10-0013 claimed the t o h a v e b e e n a f r a i d b a s e d on o b s e r v i n g accused i n a s p e c i f i c past D.E.D. i n t h e p r e s e n t "[F]orcible i s viewed i n light as the respective relationship took parte the place, Williford, juvenile appellant's strength, during 57, of the surrounding ages o f t h e v i c t i m between them, had the as compared "opportunity under which t h e suffered." 63 ( A l a . C r i m . A p p . 2 0 0 4 ) . size observe his and C.M. v . S t a t e , threaten [her] didn't Ex case, the s i z e and strength, 889 S o . 2 d A l t h o u g h D.E.D. t e s t i f i e d C.D.B. d i d n o t e x p r e s s l y i f [she] In this to including t o [thevictim's] hearing." such and t h e p e r p e t r a t o r , t h e 931 S o . 2 d 1 0 , 14 ( A l a . 2 0 0 5 ) . court rather circumstances, the victim physical characteristics, like i n a vacuum; the circumstances and any i n j u r i e s the delinquency feel that d e s c r i b e d by 2 c o m p u l s i o n does n o t e x i s t it act case. incident like the actions of h e r o r "do a n y t h i n g do [what he a s k e d ] , that t o make he w o u l d L . P . , t h e a l l e g e d v i c t i m i n Ex p a r t e J.A.P., d i d t e s t i f y t h a t s h e w a s " a f r a i d " o f J . A . P . " a n d t h a t s h e knew t h a t w h a t he w a s d o i n g w a s w r o n g . " J.A.P. v . S t a t e , 853 So. 2 d 2 6 4 , 267 ( A l a . C r i m . A p p . 2 0 0 1 ) , r e v ' d , 8 5 3 S o . 2 d 2 8 0 ( A l a . 2 0 0 2 ) . T h a t f e a r , h o w e v e r , a p p a r e n t l y was b a s e d o n a l l e g e d p r e v i o u s i n s t a n c e s o f " s e x u a l c o n t a c t " between J.A.P. a n d L.P. There was n o e v i d e n c e i n d i c a t i n g t h a t L . P . c l a i m e d t o b e a f r a i d o f J.A.P. b e c a u s e s h e t h o u g h t he w o u l d h u r t h e r i f s h e d i d n o t comply. 2 31 CR-10-0013 hurt [her]," before So. 3d a t i t D.E.D.'s t e s t i m o n y t h a t overpower h i s f a t h e r before, hurt , the juvenile conflicting threatened evidence D.E.D. as to Consequently, also had b e c a u s e s h e h a d s e e n C.D.B. s h e was a f r a i d h e r i f she d i d n o t comply. court that C.D.B. w o u l d Thus, t h e j u v e n i l e c o u r t h a d whether C.D.B. I think there implicitly was sufficient evidence from which t h e j u v e n i l e court could conclude that the State compulsion proved t h e element of forcible based on an i m p l i e d t h r e a t t h a t C.D.B. w o u l d h a r m D.E.D. i f s h e d i d n o t d o what he t o l d 543 h e r t o do. See P o o l e v. S t a t e , 650 S o . 2 d 5 4 1 , ( A l a . Crim. App. 1 9 9 4 ) : "' ... " [ A ] j u r y may b e l i e v e p a r t o f the evidence o f a w i t n e s s and r e j e c t p a r t . " C o c h r a n v . S t a t e , 4 2 A l a . A p p . 14 4, 1 4 7 , 155 S o . 2 d 5 3 0 , c e r t . d e n i e d , 2 7 5 A l a . 6 9 3 , 155 So. 2 d 533 (1963). " I n order to convict t h e d e f e n d a n t t h e j u r y was n o t r e q u i r e d t o accept as t r u e every statement of t h e witnesses." F r e e m a n v . S t a t e , 37 A l a . A p p . 6 2 3 , 6 3 0 , 74 S o . 2 d 5 1 3 , c e r t . d e n i e d , 2 6 1 A l a . 6 9 7 , 74 S o . 2 d 5 2 0 ( 1 9 5 4 ) . " C o n f l i c t i n g e v i d e n c e s h o u l d be r e c o n c i l e d by t h e j u r y , i f p o s s i b l e , a n d i f t h e y c a n not reconcile i t , t h e y may b a s e their v e r d i c t on t h a t p a r t o f t h e t e s t i m o n y w h i c h they consider worthy o f c r e d i t , and r e j e c t t h a t w h i c h t h e y deem t o b e u n w o r t h y o f b e l i e f . I n c o n s i s t e n c i e s and c o n t r a d i c t i o n s i n t h e t e s t i m o n y o f a w i t n e s s d o n o t make it inherently improbable." Arnold v. S t a t e , 33 A l a . A p p . 1 4 6 , 1 4 7 , 30 S o . 2 d 5 8 7 32 CR-10-0013 (1947). " I t i s not the law that mere c o n t r a d i c t i n g statements or d e c l a r a t i o n s of a witness are sufficient to raise a reasonable doubt i n the minds of the j u r y as t o t h e t r u t h o f t h e t e s t i m o n y of a witness." W a l t e r s v . S t a t e , 24 A l a . A p p . 3 7 0 , 3 7 3 , 135 So. 600 (1931). " ' " T h e i n c o n s i s t e n c i e s may i m p a i r c r e d i b i l i t y o f t h e w i t n e s s and reduce w e i g h t o f t h e t e s t i m o n y , b u t t h e y do destroy the probative force of t e s t i m o n y as a m a t t e r o f l a w - - t h e w e i g h t be g i v e n s u c h t e s t i m o n y i s f o r t h e t r i e r fact to determine." 30 Am. Jur. E v i d e n c e § 1082 (1967).' the the not the to of 2d " J o n e s v . S t a t e , 469 So. 2 d 7 1 3 , 7 1 6 - 1 7 ( A l a . C r . App. 1985). 'The w e i g h t a n d p r o b a t i v e v a l u e t o be given to the evidence, the credibility of the witnesses, the r e s o l u t i o n of c o n f l i c t i n g testimony, a n d t h e i n f e r e n c e s t o be d r a w n f r o m t h e evidence, e v e n w h e r e s u s c e p t i b l e t o more t h a n one rational c o n c l u s i o n , are f o r the j u r y . ' W a r d v . S t a t e , 356 So. 2 d 2 3 8 , 240 (Ala. Cr. App.), c e r t . denied, 356 So. 2d 242 (Ala.1978). The credibility of the 1 1 - y e a r - o l d v i c t i m was a n i s s u e f o r t h e j u r y . ' I t i s not the business of t h i s court to second-guess juries.' S m i t h v . S t a t e , 604 So. 2 d 4 3 4 , 436 ( A l a . C r . A p p . 19 9 2 ) . " In and this was in evidence, implied evidence case, the this best juvenile position i n c l u d i n g the evidence threat existed. or substitute This c o u r t was the trier of fact to and evaluate the going to the i s s u e whether Court i t s judgment 33 weigh should not reweigh f o r t h a t of the an the juvenile CR-10-0013 court. I adjudication would of therefore C.D.B. a s affirm delinquent. 34 the juvenile court's

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