State v. Deptula

623 A.2d 525, 31 Conn. App. 140, 1993 Conn. App. LEXIS 210

• Court: Connecticut Appellate Court
• Decided: April 27, 1993
• Docket: 10956
• Status: Published

Opinions

Daly, J.

The defendant appeals from a judgment of conviction, rendered after a jury trial, of assault in the second degree in violation of General Statutes § 53a-60 (a) (l).¹ The defendant also challenges the enhancement of his sentence, rendered after a nolo con-tendere plea to being a persistent serious felony offender in violation of General Statutes § 53a-40 (b).² The defendant claims that the trial court improperly (1) failed to instruct the jury on self-defense, (2) accepted the defendant’s plea of nolo contendere to being a persistent serious felony offender, and (3) admitted evidence of the defendant's prior assaul-tive misconduct. We reverse the judgment of the trial court.

The jury reasonably could have found the following facts. On June 6, 1991, at approximately 9 a.m., the defendant purchased beer and vodka at a Willimantic package store for himself and his wife, the victim. They both consumed the alcohol until 6 p.m., when they began to argue. The defendant’s wife hit the defendant with her hands. After deflecting her blows, the defendant struck her four or five times on the face and chest causing her to fall to the floor. The defendant’s wife had not recovered from her injuries the next day. Finally, on June 8, she was taken to Windham Hospital after the defendant called 911. When rescue personnel arrived on the scene, the defendant claimed that his wife had fallen down some stairs. His wife was suffering from three fractured ribs and a fracture of the right jaw. She had also sustained multiple bruises. After receiving treatment, the wife signed herself out of the hospital and stayed with a friend. During that time, the wife’s condition worsened and she was readmitted to the hospital on June 10. She remained in the hospital for over three weeks.

At approximately 4 p.m. on June 10, the defendant went to the Willimantic police station. After being informed of his Miranda rights; Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S. Ct. 1602, 16 L. Ed. 2d 694 (1966); the defendant signed a written statement admitting that he had hit his wife.³ Further facts are set forth as necessary.

I

The defendant first claims that he was entitled to a charge on self-defense. The defendant submitted requests to charge, including one on self-defense that was taken directly out of L. Orland & D. Borden, Criminal Jury Charges § 6.1. Self-defense, as defined in General Statutes § 53a-19,⁴ is a justification defense. General Statutes § 53a-16.⁵ Negating a defense, other than an affirmative defense, becomes part of the state’s burden of proof once the defense is raised at trial. General Statutes § 53a-12 (a).

The state contends that we should not entertain this issue because the defendant failed to comply with Practice Book § 852, which provides that this court “shall not be bound to consider error as to the giving of, or the failure to give, an instruction unless the matter is covered by a written request to charge or exception has been taken by the party appealing immediately after the charge is delivered. Counsel taking the exception shall state distinctly the matter objected to and the ground of objection. Upon request, opportunity shall be given to present the exception out of the hearing of the jury.” We disagree with the state.

“The defendant must provide the trial court with the factual and legal basis for the charge before an appellate court can find error in the court’s refusal to give the charge as requested.” State v. Robinson, 14 Conn. App. 40, 45-46, 539 A.2d 606, cert. denied, 488 U.S. 899, 109 S. Ct. 244, 102 L. Ed. 2d 233 (1988). Practice Book § 854 provides that “[w]hen there are several requests, they shall be in separate and numbered paragraphs, each containing a single proposition of law clearly and concisely stated with the citation of authority upon which it is based, and the evidence to which the proposition would apply. . . .”

This case differs from State v. Hall, 213 Conn. 579, 569 A.2d 534 (1990), where our Supreme Court determined that the defendant did not deserve a charge on negligent homicide as a lesser included offense because the defendant failed to specify in his request to charge the facts that would have justified the instruction on the defendant’s failure to “perceive a substantial and unjustifiable risk” of the victim’s death. Id., 592. Without such facts, the charge referred to the general events leading to the victim’s death, these events being applicable not only to the crime of negligent homicide but also to the greater offenses of murder, manslaughter in the first degree and manslaughter in the second degree.

Here, the state’s evidence of the assault also indicated that the victim hit the defendant first. This fact went to the issue of self-defense and was not relevant to the basic elements of assault in the second degree as defined in General Statutes § 53a-60 (a) (1). Defense counsel stated during his objection to the introduction of evidence of a previous incident where the defendant had hit the victim that “the statement [that the victim hit the defendant first in this matter] on its face presents a defense. It shows self-defense. It’s up to the jury to determine whether the force used was excessive. But at least that defense is before the court with the state’s evidence that has been presented.” There could be no confusion on the court’s part as to the evidence on which the request to charge was based.

In addition, the defendant excepted to the charge. Notwithstanding the defendant’s exception, the state contends that it was not sufficient to preserve the claim for appellate review. “[A] trial court’s instructions to the jury will not be considered as error on appeal if the exception taken was insufficient adequately to apprise the court of the deficiency in the charge in a manner which would permit the court to make a correction.” (Internal quotation marks omitted.) State v. Cook, 8 Conn. App. 153, 156, 510 A.2d 1383 (1986). We conclude, however, that the defendant’s exception was sufficient adequately to apprise the court of the deficiency in the charge in a manner that would permit the court to make a correction. The defendant made a timely exception to the trial court’s refusal to charge the jury on self-defense.

“The requirement that the claim made by the exception be raised distinctly means that it must be so stated as to bring to the attention of the court the precise matter on which its decision is being asked. . . . The purpose of the rule requiring that an exception be taken that distinctly states the objection and the grounds therefor is to alert the court to any claims of error while there is still an opportunity for correction.” (Citations omitted; internal quotation marks omitted.) State v. Utz, 201 Conn. 190, 207, 513 A.2d 1191 (1986). The following timely exception was made by the defendant’s counsel:

“[Defense Counsel]: May I have an exception to the court’s failure to charge my fourth request to charge, self-defense?

“The Court: You may have an exception.

“[Defense Counsel]: Thank you.

“The Court: I don’t feel it was proven.”

It is evident from this exchange, especially in light of defense counsel’s previous statement during the objection to the introduction of evidence of the defendant’s prior misconduct, that the trial court understood that the defendant was objecting because he believed the defense had satisfied its burden of showing that enough evidence to support an instruction on self-defense had been presented to the court. Therefore, while usually counsel must explicitly state the grounds for an exception, the purpose for that rule has been satisfied in this case because the trial court understood the ground for the objection.

Furthermore, Practice Book § 852 does not require that we refuse to address this claim because it states that this court “shall not be bound” to consider this matter if a proper request to charge or timely objection is not properly made. While we would prefer it if the defendant’s counsel had drafted a more thorough request to charge, or if he had made a more specific exception, we will review this claim because the defendant substantially complied with the requirements of Practice Book § 852 and the court understood the grounds for the objection. There is no need to hold the defendant to the strict requirement where, as here, the purpose of the rule has been satisfied.

Turning to the merits of the defendant’s claim, “a defendant is entitled to have instructions presented relating to any theory of defense for which there is any foundation in the evidence, no matter how weak or incredible . . . .” (Citations omitted; internal quotation marks omitted.) State v. Belle, 215 Conn. 257, 275, 576 A.2d 139 (1990). “Before an instruction is warranted, however, [a] defendant bears the initial burden of producing sufficient evidence to inject self-defense into the case. ... To meet that burden, the evidence adduced at trial, whether by the state or the defense, must be sufficient to raise a reasonable doubt in the mind of a rational juror as to whether the defendant acted in self-defense.” (Citation omitted; internal quotation marks omitted.) State v. Lewis, 220 Conn. 602, 619, 600 A.2d 1330 (1991). “Once the defense is properly raised, the jury must be instructed that the state bears the burden of disproving it beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Cassino, 188 Conn. 237, 241, 449 A.2d 154 (1982). The narrow issue before us, therefore, is whether the defendant presented sufficient evidence to ‘raise’ the issue at trial. The threshold is not high. The instruction must be given if there is any foundation in the evidence for the defense theory; State v. Belle, supra, 275; and we must view the evidence in the light most favorable to the defendant. State v. Havican, 213 Conn. 593, 595, 569 A.2d 1089 (1990); State v. Cassino, supra, 239. The jury, however, must have before it enough evidence to raise a question of fact without resorting to guess and speculation.” (Emphasis in original; internal quotation marks omitted.) State v. Tyson, 23 Conn. App. 28, 32-33, 579 A.2d 1083, cert. denied, 216 Conn. 829, 582 A.2d 207 (1990).

The state relied on the defendant’s statement to the police to prove elements of the crime of assault in the second degree. Neither the defendant nor the victim testified at trial. In his statement to the police, the defendant explained that before he hit his wife, she had struck him. This evidence suggests that the victim was the initial aggressor and since they were in their apartment when she hit him, there was no duty for him to retreat. State v. Bailey, 209 Conn. 322, 339-40, 551 A.2d 1206 (1988). Whether the evidence was sufficient to find the defendant was justified pursuant to General Statutes §§ 53a-19 and 53a-16 was a question for the jury to decide. The trial court improperly refused to instruct the jury on the issue of self-defense. Thus, the defendant is entitled to a new trial.

II

The defendant argues, and the state concedes, that the trial court improperly accepted the defendant’s nolo contendere plea to being a persistent serious felony offender under General Statutes § 53a-40 without advising the defendant of the nature of the charge or the constitutional rights relinquished by making such a plea and without ensuring that the plea was knowingly and voluntarily made as required by the Connecticut and federal constitutions and our rules of practice. Boykin v. Alabama, 395 U.S. 238, 89 S. Ct. 1709, 23 L. Ed. 2d 274 (1969); State v. Badgett, 220 Conn. 6, 595 A.2d 851 (1991); State v. Childree, 189 Conn. 114, 454 A.2d 1274 (1983); see Practice Book §§711 and 712.

Notwithstanding the agreement of the parties, we need not reach the merits of this claim. “A person accused of being a persistent dangerous felony offender is not charged with a crime separate from the substantive crime which forms the first part of the indictment against him. . . . The only function of the separate judicial proceeding on the defendant’s status as a persistent dangerous felon is to permit an enhanced sentence for conviction of the underlying substantive crime.” (Citations omitted.) State v. Fullwood, 194 Conn. 573, 587, 484 A.2d 435 (1984). Because the defendant’s persistent offender status is dependent on his conviction of assault in the second degree, which we are reversing, we must reverse the determination that the defendant is a persistent serious felony offender as well.

Ill

The defendant finally argues that evidence of his prior assaultive behavior toward the victim was improperly admitted. Although this evidence may be offered against the defendant on retrial, we decline to review this claim because the defendant raises a different claim on appeal than he raised in the trial court.

At trial, the state offered a written statement the defendant gave to the police as evidence of an altercation between the defendant and his wife in May, 1990, which was similar to the one at issue.⁶ That evidence was offered to prove the defendant’s intent to inflict serious physical injury. At trial the defendant objected to the admission of his written statement concerning the May, 1990 incident arguing that his due process rights were violated because he was not able to cross-examine his wife about that incident. On appeal, however, the defendant claims that the admission of his written statement was a violation of his right to a fair trial because the evidence was unduly prejudicial as it permitted the jury to speculate that his prior assault on the victim indicated that he was guilty of assault a second time.

Parties challenging on appeal a trial court’s actions are limited to the authority and grounds for objections that were presented at trial. State v. Brice, 186 Conn. 449, 457, 442 A.2d 906 (1982); State v. Anderson, 28 Conn. App. 833, 844, 614 A.2d 438 (1992). “We are not bound to consider claims that are not distinctly raised at trial. Practice Book § 4185. Review of evidentiary rulings is limited to the specific ground raised on the objection.” State v. Anderson, supra. The defendant raised a different claim of admissibility at trial than he does on appeal. Thus, we decline to review this claim because it was not raised before the trial court.⁷

The judgment is reversed and the case is remanded for a new trial.

In this opinion Foti, J., concurred.

1 General Statutes § 53a-60 (a) provides in pertinent part: “A person is guilty of assault in the second degree when: (1) With intent to cause serious physical injury to another person, he causes such injury to such person or to a third person . . . .”

2 General Statutes § 53a-40 (b) provides in pertinent part: “A persistent serious felony offender is a person who (1) stands convicted of a felony, and (2) has been, prior to the commission of the present felony, convicted of and imprisoned under an imposed term of more than one year or of death, in this state or in any other state or in a federal correctional institution, for a crime. . . .”

3 The defendant’s statement read: “I, Paul Deptula . . . of . . . Willimantic, Connecticut, telephone none, having been advised of my constitutional rights, without threat or promise, depose and say that on June 6, 1991, at approximately 9:00 a.m., I went to a package store in Willimantic and bought beer and vodka for myself and my wife. I then went back to our apartment . . . [in] Willimantic, Connecticut. That my wife, Robin, and I started drinking and drank to about 6:00 p.m.. We both were very drunk and we started arguing about money and drinking. That Robin started to hit me with her hands and I started blocking her punches and started hitting her back with my fists. I hit her about four or five times with my fists. I hit her in the chest a few times and once in the face which knocked her to the floor. That Robin just laid on the ground and we went to sleep in our beds. That on Friday, 6/7/91 to Saturday, 6/8/91, Robin just stayed in bed and complained of pain in her chest and face. That on Saturday, on 6/8/91, at about 11:00 a.m., I called 911 and had Robin taken to the hospital. I told the police and fire department along with Robin that Robin had fallen down the stairs at the Hotel Hooker and had gotten injured. The truth is that Robin was injured from me punching her during our fight on or about 6/6/91 at the Hotel Hooker, Willimantic Connecticut. That on 6/10/91, at approximately 4:00 p.m., I walked to the Willimantic police department and spoke with detectives Griswold and Winkler about the fight with my wife on or about 6/6/91 and gave this two page written statement. That I also hit her on the side of the body once. I have read the above statement and find it to be the truth to the best of my knowledge. I will testify in court under oath to the facts therein. I understand that I may be criminally charged under the provisions of CGS section 53a-167 for intentionally making a false written statement herein.”

4 General Statutes § 53a-19 provides in pertinent part: “[A] person is justified in using reasonable physical force upon another person to defend himself or a third person from what he reasonably believes to be the use or imminent use of physical force, and he may use such degree of force which he reasonably believes to be necessary for such purpose . . . .”

5 General Statutes § 53a-16 provides: “In any prosecution for an offense, justification, as defined in sections 53a-17 to 53a-23, inclusive, shall be a defense.”

6 At the time of the incident in May, 1990, the defendant and the victim were not married.

7 The defendant has not asked us to review this claim under State v. Evans, 165 Conn. 61, 372 A.2d 576 (1973), and State v. Golding, 213 Conn. 233, 567 A.2d 823 (1989), and we decline to do so.