People v. Duenaz

384 N.W.2d 79, 148 Mich. App. 60
CourtMichigan Court of Appeals
DecidedDecember 17, 1985
DocketDocket 80841
StatusPublished
Cited by9 cases

This text of 384 N.W.2d 79 (People v. Duenaz) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Michigan Court of Appeals primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
People v. Duenaz, 384 N.W.2d 79, 148 Mich. App. 60 (Mich. Ct. App. 1985).

Opinion

Per Curiam.

Following a jury trial held in St. Clair County Circuit Court, defendant was convicted of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, MCL 750.520e(1)(a); MSA 28.788(5)(1)(a). Defendant was also convicted at a bench trial on a supple *63 mental information charging him as a habitual offender, second conviction, MCL 769.10; MSA 28.1082. Defendant was sentenced on July 11, 1984, to serve one year in jail. He now appeals as of right.

The incident complained of occurred on February 18, 1984. Complainant, April Lumley, was employed as a cook at defendant’s restaurant. Shortly after arriving at work, complainant walked into the restaurant’s storeroom to get some rice. Defendant also entered the storeroom. Defendant approached complainant and grabbed her by the arm. Complainant attempted to pull away from defendant. Defendant, however, continued to pull complainant’s arm and forced her down to the floor. He then pulled complainant’s shirt open and began to fondle her breasts. Complainant testified that she screamed for help and hit defendant in the face with a cup. Defendant then pulled away and promised that he would not touch complainant again.

The people rested after calling on complainant and Hope Rosales, an employee of defendant’s restaurant, to testify. Defendant moved to dismiss on the basis that the complaining witness’s testimony was not credible. The trial court denied the motion, holding that the proofs showed sexual contact and force and that complainant’s credibility was a matter for the jury.

Defendant testified as follows. His initial contact with the complainant was accidental. He was standing back-to-back with complainant and was reaching up to a shelf when he lost his balance, bumped into her and almost fell. Defendant started grabbing complainant and when he put his arms around her, she did not respond. Complainant wiggled a little, but did not forcibly pull away. At that point, defendant lost his head and wanted *64 to see how far he could go. He grabbed her by the breast over the top of her blouse and the blouse came undone. However, complainant did not resist and he did not pull at the blouse to force it open. After complainant’s blouse came undone, her bra came off and defendant just started to fool around. Complainant asked defendant to stop. Defendant then stopped and pulled himself away. Defendant apologized and stated that he would not touch complainant again. Defendant testified that he did not force himself on complainant.

After the jury found defendant guilty of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, defendant moved for judgment notwithstanding the verdict on the ground that the verdict went against the great weight of the evidence. The trial court denied the motion.

Defendant claims that the trial court erred in denying his motion for a directed verdict of acquittal at the close of the prosecutor’s case in chief. We disagree.

When ruling on a motion for a directed verdict of acquittal, the trial judge must view the evidence presented in a light most favorable to the prosecution and determine whether a rational trier of fact could find that the essential elements of the crime were proven beyond a reasonable doubt. People v Hampton, 407 Mich 354; 285 NW2d 284 (1979), cert den 449 US 885 (1980).

Viewed most favorably to the prosecution, the evidence in this case demonstrated that defendant pulled complainant to himself and then onto the floor. Complainant was restrained by defendant and she resisted. Defendant then pulled complainant’s shirt open and fondled her breasts. Based on this evidence, we conclude that a rational trier of fact could find that the essential elements of a forcible sexual contact were proven beyond a rea *65 sonable doubt. See MCL 750.520e(1)(a); MSA 28.788(5)(1)(a) and MCL 750.520b(f)(i); MSA 28.788(2)(f)(i).

Defendant further contends, however, that the prosecutor failed to establish the sexual contact element of the charged offense. Defendant’s claim is without merit. MCL 750.520a(k); MSA 28.788(1)(k) defines sexual contact to include the intentional touching of the victim’s intimate parts, if that intentional touching can reasonably be construed as being for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification. MCL 750.520a(c); MSA 28.788(1)(c) defines "intimate parts” to include a breast of a human being.

Sexual contact may be proven by establishing that the touching of an intimate part of the victim’s body was intentional and can reasonably be construed as being for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification. People v Fisher, 77 Mich App 6, 13; 257 NW2d 250 (1977), lv den 402 Mich 811 (1977). Evidence was produced at trial that indicates that defendant intentionally touched complainant’s breasts. The manner in which defendant touched complainant can reasonably be construed as a touching for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification. We conclude that the trial court properly denied defendant’s motion for a directed verdict of acquittal.

Next defendant argues that the trial court erred in denying defendant’s motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict. Defendant states that his motion was governed by MCR 2.611(A)(1)(e) on new trials. However, motions for judgment notwithstanding the verdict are governed by MCR 2.610.

In reviewing a trial court’s denial of a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict or directed verdict, we view the evidence in the light most favorable to the party opposing the motion. If *66 reasonable men could differ as to the meaning of the evidence, the motion was properly denied. Ringo v Richardson, 88 Mich App 684; 278 NW2d 717 (1979), lv den 407 Mich 906 (1979).

Viewing the evidence presented at trial in this case in a light most favorable to the prosecutor, we conclude that there was competent evidence to support the jury’s guilty verdict and reasonable men could differ as to the meaning of the evidence. The trial court’s denial of defendant’s motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict was therefore proper.

Defendant further claims that the trial court erred in admitting evidence concerning another encounter which occurred between defendant and complainant. Subsequent to the incident complained of herein, defendant placed a "hickey” on complainant’s body. Defendant contends that evidence of this action constituted evidence of a subsequent bad act, which is inadmissible in a criminal trial. Because defendant failed to object to the challenged evidence at trial, appellate review of this claim is precluded, absent a manifest injustice. People v Hayward, 127 Mich App 50; 338 NW2d 549 (1983). Our review of the record in this case indicates that the evidence establishing the requisite elements of the charged offense was overwhelming. We therefore conclude that no manifest injustice would result from our refusal to review this claim.

Defendant next argues that the fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct statute and the definition of "sexual contact” are void for vagueness under the due process clause of the U.S. Constitution. We disagree.

In People v Howell,

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Bluebook (online)
384 N.W.2d 79, 148 Mich. App. 60, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/people-v-duenaz-michctapp-1985.