IN THE MATTER CIVIL COMMITMENT OF C.R.M.

 

NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE

APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION

SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY

APPELLATE DIVISION

DOCKET NO. A-1529-06T21529-06T2

IN THE MATTER OF THE

CIVIL COMMITMENT OF

C.R.M. SVP-263-02

__________________________________________

 

Argued April 18, 2007 - Decided June 20, 2007

Before Judges Winkelstein and Fuentes.

On appeal from Superior Court of New

Jersey, Law Division, Essex County,

SVP-263-02.

Patrick Madden, Deputy Attorney General,

argued the cause for the appellant

(Ronald K. Chen, Public Advocate,

attorney).

Amy Duff, Deputy Attorney General,

argued the cause for the respondent

(Stewart Rabner, Attorney General,

attorney).

PER CURIAM

C.R.M. was initially committed under the Sexually Violent Predator Act (SPVA), N.J.S.A. 20:4-27.24 to -27.38, on July 7, 2003. On appeal from that decision, we affirmed in an unpublished opinion. In re Civil Commitment of C.R.M., No. A-6775-02 (App. Div. March 23, 2006). His commitment status was again reviewed by the trial court. At this review hearing, Judge Perretti found that the State had proven, by clear and convincing evidence, that C.R.M remained a threat to the health and safety of others because of the strong likelihood that he would engage in sexually violent acts. See In re Civil Commitment of W.Z., 173 N.J. 109, 132 (2002).

Judge Perretti memorialized her findings in an order dated October 6, 2006. C.R.M. now appeals from that order of continued commitment. After reviewing the record, and in light of prevailing legal standards, we affirm.

The testimony of Dr. Raymond Terranova, a clinical psychologist and member of C.R.M.'s treatment team; and Dr. Luis Zeiguer, a psychiatrist who reviewed all of C.R.M.'s treatment records, support the court's conclusion. C.R.M. has a history of sexually assaulting prepubescent girls, including his own child. He has been diagnosed with pedophilia and paraphilia NOS. He has been found to be alcohol and cocaine dependent. He minimizes his conduct and has not fully participated in programs necessary to his treatment. He has been diagnosed as having antisocial and narcissistic traits. Dr. Zeiguer rated his risk of recidivism as "very, very high."

Indeed, C.R.M.'s own expert conceded that C.R.M.'s conduct was deviant. This expert also acknowledged that it would be the "worst possible" situation for him to live with a female with children as there would be a moderate to high risk for re-offense. Judge Perretti rejected, however, that portion of the expert's testimony in which he opined that C.R.M. was only a marginal threat to people other than those in his family.

The standard governing our review of the trial court's commitment decision is well-settled. We must give the trial court's decision the utmost deference; the court's decision can only be modified where the record reveals a clear abuse of discretion. In re Civil Commitment of V.A., 357 N.J. Super. 55, 63 (App. Div.), certif. denied, 177 N.J. 490 (2003).

We are satisfied that Judge Perretti's findings and conclusions are amply supported by the record. C.R.M.'s long history of repetitive sexual offenses, coupled with his current treatment status renders him at a high risk to re-offend. He is clearly incapable of controlling his compulsions, and is therefore subject to continued commitment under the SVPA. We thus affirm substantially for the reasons expressed by Judge Perretti in her oral opinion delivered from the bench on October 4, 2006.

 
Affirmed.

(continued)

(continued)

3

A-1529-06T2

RECORD IMPOUNDED

June 20, 2007