State v. Szymkiewicz

678 A.2d 473, 237 Conn. 613, 1996 Conn. LEXIS 238

• Court: Supreme Court of Connecticut
• Decided: July 9, 1996
• Docket: 15253
• Status: Published

Opinions

CALLAHAN, J.

The defendant, Deborah Szymkiewicz, was convicted after a jury trial of breach of the peace in violation of General Statutes § 53a-181 (a) (l).¹ The defendant appealed to the Appellate Court, which reversed her conviction. State v. Szymkiewicz, 36 Conn. App. 625, 652 A.2d 523 (1995). In construing § 53a-181 (a) (1) to proscribe only physical conduct,² the Appellate Court concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish a violation of § 53a-181 (a) (1) because the conduct for which the defendant was prosecuted consisted only of speech. Id., 629. We granted the state’s petition for certification to appeal limited to the following issues: (1) “Under the circumstances of this case, did the Appellate Court properly conclude that General Statutes § 53a-181 (a) (1) does not include speech that constitutes ‘fighting words’?” and (2) “If the answer to question (1) is ‘no,’ was the evidence sufficient for conviction of a violation of that statute?” State v. Szymkiewicz, 233 Conn. 903, 657 A.2d 644 (1995). We reverse the judgment of the Appellate Court.

The Appellate Court deemed the following facts relevant. “The genesis of this case was the defendant’s shopping trip to the Waterford Stop & Shop Supermarket [on November 24, 1991]. At the checkout counter, Kim Montigny, a store detective, asked the defendant to accompany her to the store manager’s office on the mezzanine. Once there, Montigny accused the defendant of shoplifting two bags of seafood and a container of cocktail sauce. While in the manager’s office, the defendant became loud and abusive, resulting in a call to the police.

“Waterford police officer Mark Willard responded and, after [conducting a brief investigation and] observing the defendant’s behavior, arrested her for shoplifting [in violation of General Statutes § 53a-125b³] .... He handcuffed the defendant, and he and Montigny led the defendant down the stairs [which ended at the middle of the register line of a nearby checkout counter] and out of the store.

“When asked to cooperate and quiet down, [while being detained in the manager’s office and later while being led out of the store] the defendant responded, ‘Fuclc you,’ several times.⁴ . . .

“[In addition, wjhile being led down the stairs from the manager’s office, the defendant addressed Montigny, saying, ‘You fucking bitch. I hope you bum in hell for all eternity.’⁵

“Montigny also testified that while they were descending the stairs the defendant made a threatening remark to her. The record does not disclose the nature of the threat.” State v. Szymkiewicz, supra, 36 Conn. App. 626-27. Montigny further stated that the defendant’s comments and behavior while descending the stairs drew the attention of the other store customers and caused a commotion among those who were present at the bottom of the stairs.

While descending the stairs and in the view of the store customers, Willard told the defendant that if she refused to calm down, she would also be charged with breach of the peace. To this, the defendant responded, “Fuck you.” The defendant was thereafter charged with breach of the peace.

Following the trial, the jury returned a verdict of guilty of breach of the peace in violation of § 53a-181 (a) (1). The trial court sentenced the defendant to six months imprisonment, execution suspended after thirty days, and imposed a $500 fine.⁶

The defendant appealed to the Appellate Court, claiming that the evidence was insufficient to support her conviction of breach of the peace. Specifically, the defendant maintained that her conduct consisted solely of speech and, therefore, was not within the ambit of subdivision (1) of § 53a-181 (a), which, according to the defendant, proscribes physical conduct only. Id., 627. The Appellate Court agreed with the defendant that there was insufficient evidence of “physical conduct” to sustain her conviction of § 53a-181 (a) (1) and reversed the trial court’s judgment.

Relying on State v. Indrisano, 228 Conn. 795, 640 A.2d 986 (1994), and State v. Lo Sacco, 12 Conn. App. 481, 531 A.2d 184, cert. denied, 205 Conn. 814, 533 A.2d 568 (1987), the Appellate Court concluded that proof of physically violent conduct is required before criminal liability can be imposed pursuant to subdivision (1) of § 53a-181 (a). Because it determined from the testimony at trial that the defendant’s actions consisted only of words, unaccompanied by physically violent conduct, the court concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support her conviction. State v. Szymkiewicz, supra, 36 Conn. App. 627-30.⁷ This certified appeal followed.

Section 53a-181 (a) provides in relevant part that “[a] person is guilty of breach of the peace when, with intent to cause inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof, he [or she]: (1) Engages in fighting or in violent, tumultuous or threatening behavior in a public place . . . .” The state contends, contrary to the conclusion of the Appellate Court, that § 53a-181 (a) (1) proscribes speech as well as conduct, provided that the speech rises to the level of “fighting words,” as defined in the first amendment context, at least when the words used portend imminent physical violence, as the state claims they did here. The state argues, consequently, that the defendant’s words and the circumstances under which they were used were sufficient to support her conviction.⁸

In order to determine whether § 53a-181 (a) (1) proscribes speech that can be characterized as “fighting words,” we look for guidance to the construction given by this court to identical language contained in General Statutes § 53a-182, the disorderly conduct statute. In State v. Indrisano, supra, 228 Conn. 795, we were called upon to interpret the parallel provision of § 53a-182 (a) (l).⁹ The elements of the two statutes are identical, except that § 53a-181 (a) (1), the breach of the peace statute, concerns behavior in a public place. In construing subdivision (1) of § 53a-182 (a), we stated that “[t]he term ‘fighting,’ by its plain meaning, involves physical force. The phrase ‘violent, tumultuous or threatening behavior’ also refers to physical action. If two or more words are grouped together, it is possible to ascertain the meaning of a particular word by reference to its relationship with other associated words and phrases under the doctrine ofnoscitur asociis. 2A J. Sutherland, Statutory Construction (5th Ed. Sands 1992) § 47-16; State v. Roque, [190 Conn. 143, 152, 460 A.2d 26 (1983)]. Applying this doctrine, the Appellate Court, in State v. Lo Sacco, supra, [12 Conn. App. 481,] construed ‘violent, tumultuous or threatening behavior’; General Statutes § 53a-181a (a);¹⁰ to mean ‘conduct which actually involves physical violence or portends imminent physical violence.' Id., 491. Similarly, in State v. Duhan, 38 Conn. Sup. 665, 668, 460 A.2d 496 (1982), rev’d on other grounds, 194 Conn. 347, 481 A.2d 48 (1984), the Appellate Session of the Superior Court read the term ‘tumultuous’ in connection with its surrounding words, ‘violent’ and ‘threatening,’ and held that, because its meaning should be ascertained by reference to those associated words, ‘yelling and cursing unaccompanied by violent behavior is not prohibited by’ § 53a-182 (a) (1).¹¹ In accordance with these decisions, we conclude that the terms ‘fighting’ and ‘violent’ lend an aspect of physicality to the more nebulous terms ‘tumultuous’ and ‘threatening.’ Thus, we conclude that subdivision (1) of § 53a-182 (a) prohibits physical fighting, and physically violent, threatening or tumultuous behavior.” (Emphasis added.) State v. Indrisano, supra, 811-12.

We further noted, however, that “[t]his conclusion is consistent with the ‘fighting words’ limitation that must be applied when the conduct sought to be proscribed consists purely of speech. Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire, 315 U.S. 568, 573, 62 S. Ct. 766, 86 L. Ed. 1031 (1942); State v. Anonymous (1978-4), 34 Conn. Sup. 689, 695, 389 A.2d 1270 (1978). The Chaplinsky doctrine permits the state to prohibit speech that has a direct tendency to inflict injury or to cause acts of violence or a breach of the peace by the persons to whom it is directed. See Statewide Grievance Committee v. Presnick, 18 Conn. App. 316, 559 A.2d 220 (1989).” (Emphasis added.) State v. Indrisano, supra, 228 Conn. 812.

In noting that our holding was consistent with Chaplinsky, we recognized that § 53a-182 (a) (1) could constitutionally proscribe speech that, under a given set of circumstances, could fairly be characterized as fighting words that portend imminent physical violence. Moreover, we recognized that fighting words, because they do portend imminent physical violence or are likely to prompt imminent physical retaliation, have a sufl'icient aspect of physicality such that they can constitute a violation of § 53a-182 (a) (1). Id. Accordingly, a fair reading of Indrisano indicates that speech can be proscribed not only when accompanied by actual physical conduct, but also when it can be identified as fighting words that portend physical violence.

Consequently, we conclude that § 53a-181 (a) (1) does not require proof of actual physical contact on the part of the defendant with a victim as in fact occurred in Indrisano, but rather that, when applied to speech, the parameters of the violent, threatening or tumultuous behavior prohibited by '§ 53a-181 (a) (1) are consistent with “fighting words” — i.e., speech that has a direct tendency to cause imminent acts of violence or an immediate breach of the peace. Such speech must be of such a nature that it is “ ‘likely to provoke the average person to retaliation.’ ” Texas v. Johnson, 491 U.S. 397, 409, 109 S. Ct. 2533, 105 L. Ed. 2d 342 (1989). We conclude, moreover, that the words used by the defendant here and the circumstances in which they were used classify them as “fighting words” that had the tendency to provoke imminent retaliation from the store detective¹² or violence from the store’s customers who heard them. See Lamar v. Banks, 684 F.2d 714, 718 (11th Cir. 1982) (no requirement under fighting words doctrine for hearer of words actually to engage in violent conduct); DiGiambattista v. Doherty, 897 F. Sup. 649, 659 (D. Mass. 1995) (same); see also Stults v. State, 166 Ind. App. 461, 467, 336 N.E.2d 669 (1975); State v. James M., 111 N.M. 473, 476, 806 P.2d 1063 (N.M. App. 1990).

The defendant claims, however, that such an application of the fighting words gloss to § 53a-181 (a) (1) would render subdivision (5) of § 53a-181 (a), which prohibits “abusive or obscene language” in a public place, mere surplusage. We disagree.

“It is a basic tenet of statutory construction that the legislature did not intend to enact meaningless provisions. Turner v. Turner, [219 Conn. 703, 713, 595 A.2d 297 (1991)]. Accordingly, care must be taken to effectuate all provisions of the statute. See Pintavalle v. Valkanos, 216 Conn. 412, 418, 581 A.2d 1050 (1990) ([a] statute should be read as a whole and interpreted so as to give effect to all of its provisions) . . . .” (Citations omitted; internal quotation marks omitted.) State v. Spears, 234 Conn. 78, 93, 662 A.2d 80, cert. denied, 516 U.S. 1009, 116 S. Ct. 565, 133 L. Ed. 2d 490 (1995). Moreover, “statutes must be construed, if possible, such that no clause, sentence or word shall be superfluous, void or insignificant . . . .” Hopkins v. Pac, 180 Conn. 474, 476, 429 A.2d 952 (1980); see also Bridgeport Hospital v. Commission on Human Rights & Opportunities, 232 Conn. 91, 100-101, 653 A.2d 782 (1995). In addition, “ ‘[i]n construing a statute . . . we will search for an effective and constitutional construction that reasonably accords with the legislature’s underlying intent. State v. Floyd, 217 Conn. 73, 79, 584 A.2d 1157 (1991); McConnell v. Beverly Enterprises-Connecticut, Inc., 209 Conn. 692, 705-706, 553 A.2d 596 (1989).’ Bartholomew v. Schweizer, 217 Conn. 671, 675-76, 587 A.2d 1014 (1991).” Fleming v. Garnett, 231 Conn. 77, 88, 646 A.2d 1308 (1994).

Subdivision (1) of § 53a-181 (a) proscribes speech that properly can be characterized as fighting words when, under the totality of the circumstances, that speech amounts to “violent, tumultuous or threatening behavior” that portends violence, while subdivision (5) proscribes “abusive or obscene language.” We are not persuaded that all forms of fighting words are necessarily abusive or obscene. When and if a case arises in which the prosecution proceeds under subdivision (5) of § 53a-181 (a), we will construe “abusive” and “obscene” under the particular facts of that case, taking into account, of course, the principle that the legislative language may not be considered as mere surplusage. See Bridgeport Hospital v. Commission on Human Rights & Opportunities, supra, 232 Conn. 100-101; Hopkins v. Pac, supra, 180 Conn. 476.¹³

We next turn to whether there was sufficient evidence to support the defendant’s conviction under § 53a-181 (a) (1). The standard of review employed when a defendant claims the evidence was insufficient to support a conviction is well settled. “[W]e apply a two-part test. First, we construe the evidence in the light most favorable to sustaining the verdict. Second, we determine whether upon the facts so construed and the inferences reasonably drawn therefrom the [finder of fact] reasonably could have concluded that the cumulative force of the evidence established guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. . . . State v. Greenfield, 228 Conn. 62, 76, 634 A.2d 879 (1993). . . . State v. Mejia, 233 Conn. 215, 223, 658 A.2d 571 (1995).” (Internal quotation marks omitted.) State v. Bruno, 236 Conn. 514, 538-39, 673 A.2d 1117 (1996). Moreover, “[t]his court will construe the evidence in the light most favorable to sustaining the trial court’s [judgment] and will affirm the conclusion of the trier of fact if it is reasonably supported by the evidence and logical inferences drawn therefrom.” (Internal quotation marks omitted.) State v. Patterson, 229 Conn. 328, 339, 641 A.2d 123 (1994); see also State v. Steiger, 218 Conn. 349, 378-79, 590 A.2d 408 (1991).

Applying those principles, we conclude that the evidence was sufficient to establish that the defendant’s language constituted “fighting words” that had a tendency to incite imminent violence and, therefore, that the jury could reasonably have concluded that she engaged in conduct that was tumultuous, threatening or violent. The state presented evidence that the defendant had a heated exchange with Montigny while descending the stairs in the supermarket, during which she swore at Montigny and cursed Montigny to spend an eternity in hell. The state established, moreover, that the defendant’s behavior was exhibited in plain view of the store customers and caused a commotion, resulting in an audience congregating at the bottom of the stairs. In addition, the evidence reveals that the defendant shouted an epithet at the police officer, Willard, in response to his request that she restrain herself. Lastly, the evidence establishes that the defendant issued a verbal threat to Montigny while descending the stairs.

The cumulative force of this evidence leads to the conclusion that the defendant’s language could have aroused a violent reaction by not only Montigny, but also the crowd and, therefore, was violative of subdivision (1) of § 53a-181 (a). See, e.g., Lamar v. Banks, supra, 864 F.2d 719 (Chaplinsky does not require actual physical violence to occur; touchstone is tendency or likelihood of words to provoke violent reaction). The combination of the heated exchange between Montigny and the defendant and the defendant’s threatening her, all of which occurred in front of a number of store customers, provided ample impetus for a potentially explosive situation. In sum, the defendant’s language, which could have led to imminent retaliation or violence, contained a sufficient aspect of physicality to be punishable pursuant to § 53a-181 (a) (1).

The judgment of the Appellate Court is reversed and the case is remanded to that court with direction to affirm the judgment of the trial court.

In this opinion BORDEN and NORCOTT, Js., concurred.

1 General Statutes § 53a-181 provides: “(a) A person is guilty of breach of the peace when, with intent to cause inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof, he: (1) Engages in fighting or in violent, tumultuous or threatening behavior in a public place; or (2) assaults or strikes another; or (3) threatens to commit any crime against another person or his property; or (4) publicly exhibits, distributes, posts up or advertises any offensive, indecent or abusive matter concerning any person; or (5) in a public place, uses abusive or obscene language or makes an obscene gesture; or (6) creates a public and hazardous or physically offensive condition by any act which he is not licensed or privileged to do.

“(b) Breach of the peace is a class B misdemeanor.”

2 The Appellate Court appears to have equated physical conduct with physical contact.

3 General Statutes § 53a-125b provides in relevant part: “(a) A person is guilty of larceny in the sixth degree when he commits larceny as defined in section 53a-119 and the value of the property or service is two hundred fifty dollars or less. . . .”

The jury returned a verdict of not guilty as to this charge and that decision is not an issue in this appeal.

4 The Appellate Court stated that the record was unclear as to the defendant’s exact location at any of the various times that she used the foul language. Our review of the record reveals that the jury reasonably could have found that the defendant used such language while in the store manager’s office prior to her arrest, while exiting the office and while descending the stairs from the second floor after being arrested.

5 Willard testified that the defendant made this comment in the presence of other store customers.

6 The jury found the defendant not guilty of the crime of larceny.

7 The Appellate Court did not address the state’s claim that the defendant’s speech amounted to fighting words and, therefore, could be punished pursuant to § 53a-181 (a) (1). The court reasoned that it did not need to address the implications of the fighting words doctrine because the case could be resolved by simply construing the breach of the peace statute to require physically violent conduct. State v. Szymkiewicz, supra, 36 Conn. App. 626-27.

8 We note that, because statutory construction is a question of law, our review of the decision of the Appellate Court is plenary. State v. Denby, 235 Conn. 477, 481, 668 A.2d 682 (1995); Davis v. Norwich, 232 Conn. 311, 317, 654 A.2d 1221 (1995).

9 General Statutes § 53a-182 (a) provides in relevant part: “A person is guilty of disorderly conduct when, with intent to cause inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof, he: (1) Engages in fighting or in violent, tumultuous or threatening behavior . . . .”

10 General Statutes § 53a-181a (a) provides in relevant part: “A person is guilty of creating a pubic disturbance when, with intent to cause inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof, he (1) engages in fighting or violent, tumultuous or threatening behavior . . . .”

11 The Appellate Session of the Superior Court defined “tumultuous” to mean “riotous” or “turbulent.” State v. Duhan, supra, 38 Conn. Sup. 668.

12 We recognize that the Chaplinsky doctrine might have to be applied more narrowly when the words used by the accused are addressed to a police officer because “a properly trained officer may reasonably be expected to exercise a higher degree of restraint than the average citizen . . . .” (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Houston v. Hill, 482 U.S. 451, 462, 107 S. Ct. 2502, 96 L. Ed. 2d 398 (1987). In this case, however, the defendant does not claim and the record does not indicate that Montigny received the same level of training as that received by a police officer. Moreover, Montigny testified that her training consisted of a review of written materials provided by the store and a two week apprenticeship with an experienced store detective. Because Montigny cannot be classified in the same category as a police officer, we need not decide whether to apply the “fighting words” doctrine narrowly to Montigny. See People v. Stephen, 153 Misc. 2d 382, 390, 581 N.Y.S.2d 981 (N.Y. Crim. Ct. 1992) (distinguishing store security guard from police officer).

13 We note that the constitutionality of subdivision (5) of § 53a-181 (a) is not at issue in this case.