Jackson v. State
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Appellant was charged with first degree sexual assault. After a jury trial, Appellant was convicted of third degree sexual assault. Appellant appealed, arguing that the jury should not have been instructed on third degree sexual assault because that offense was not charged and was not a lesser included offense of first degree sexual assault. The Supreme Court reversed Appellant's conviction for third degree sexual assault, holding that third degree sexual assault is not a lesser included offense of first degree sexual assault, and the jury in this case should not have been so instructed.
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IN THE SUPREME COURT, STATE OF WYOMING 2013 WY 130 October Term, A.D. 2013 October 16, 2013 CHARLES L. JACKSON, Appellant (Defendant), v. S-13-0135 THE STATE OF WYOMING, Appellee (Plaintiff). ORDER REVERSING JUDGMENT AND SENTENCE [¶1] This matter came before the Court upon a Motion for Reversal and Remand, e-filed herein September 30, 2013, by the State of Wyoming. After a careful review of the motion, Appellant s Resistance to Motion for Reversal and Remand, and the file, this Court finds as follows. Appellant was charged with one count of first degree sexual assault under Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 6-2-302(a)(iii). After a jury trial, Appellant was convicted of third degree sexual assault pursuant to Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 6-2-304(a)(iii). [¶2] In its motion, the State of Wyoming confesses that the district court erred in convicting Appellant of third degree sexual assault. The State agrees with Appellant that the jury should not have been instructed on third degree sexual assault, because that offense was not charged and is not a lesser included offense of first degree sexual assault. The parties do not agree on why third degree sexual assault is not a lesser included offense of first degree sexual assault. This Court finds that, under controlling precedent, [f]irst-degree sexual assault is a general intent crime. Bryan v. State, 745 P.2d 905, 909 (Wyo. 1987). The Court acknowledges that Appellant wishes to argue that Bryan is incorrect and should be overturned. However, this Court finds that such an argument is appropriately left for another day. This Court also agrees with the State that third degree sexual assault requires proof of a different mens rea than first degree, because sexual contract requires touching, with the intention of sexual arousal, gratification or abuse of error. Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 6-2-301(a)(vi). Thus, given the different mens rea required to prove the two offenses, this Court agrees with the State of Wyoming that third degree sexual assault is not a lesser included offense of first degree sexual assault and that the jury here should not have been so instructed. [¶3] This Court further agrees that the Appellant's conviction for third degree sexual assault should be reversed. Craney v. State, 798 P.2d 1202, 1206 (Wyo. 1990) ( To charge Craney with first degree sexual assault and attempted first degree sexual assault and then convict him of third degree sexual assault and attempted third degree sexual assault not only prevents an adequate defense, but allows for the conviction of an uncharged crime. . . . For these reasons, we reverse Craney s convictions and sentences for attempted third degree sexual assault and third degree sexual assault. ) It is, therefore, [¶4] ORDERED that the district court s April 23, 2013, Judgment and Sentence be, and hereby is, reversed and vacated. [¶5] DATED this 16th day of October, 2013. BY THE COURT: /s/ MARILYN S. KITE Chief Justice IN THE SUPREME COURT, STATE OF WYOMING October Term, A.D. 2013 CHARLES L. JACKSON, Appellant (Defendant), v. S-13-0135 THE STATE OF WYOMING, Appellee (Plaintiff). ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR REVERSAL AND REMAND This matter came before the Court upon a Motion for Reversal and Remand, e-filed herein September 30, 2013 by the State of Wyoming. After a careful review of the motion, Appellant s Resistance to Motion for Reversal and Remand, and the file, this Court finds as that the motion should be denied. This Court appreciates the State's effort to expedite this matter by confessing error. However, it is apparent that the parties do not agree on the reasons why third degree sexual assault is not a lesser included offense of first degree sexual assault. Also, the parties do not agree on how this case should be resolved following reversal. The State requests that this Court order a new trial, whereas Appellant does not believe a new trial is appropriate. Under the circumstances, this Court finds that it will likely benefit from full briefing. It is, therefore, ORDERED that the State of Wyoming's Motion for Reversal and Remand, filed herein September 30, 2013 be, and hereby is, denied. The State of Wyoming shall file its brief on or before November 15, 2013. DATED this 15th day of October, 2013. BY THE COURT: MARILYN S. KITE Chief Justice
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