PEOPLE v. LAWRENCE (2011)

Defendant appeals from a judgment convicting him upon a jury verdict of predatory sexual assault against a child (Penal Law § 130 .96) and endangering the welfare of a child (§ 260.10[1] ). Defendant contends that he was denied his rights to due process and equal protection when the People prosecuted him for predatory sexual assault against a child rather than rape in the first degree (§ 130.35[4] ). Relying on Apprendi v. New Jersey (530 U.S. 466), defendant further contends that he was denied his right to a trial by jury because the prosecutor, and not the jury, decided that defendant should be subjected to a greater penalty. Defendant's contentions are not preserved for our review (see generally People v. Jackson, 71 AD3d 1457, 1458, lv denied 14 NY3d 888; People v. Schaurer, 32 AD3d 1241), and they are without merit in any event.

The elements of rape in the first degree under subdivision (4) of that statute are identical to the elements of predatory sexual assault against a child (see Penal Law § 130.35[4]; § 130.96; see also People v. Scott, 61 AD3d 1348, lv denied 12 NY3d 920, 13 NY3d 799). Predatory sexual assault against a child is a class A-II felony, however, while rape in the first degree is a class B felony. Where the elements of two crimes overlap, the prosecutor has “broad discretion” to decide which crime to charge (People v. Urbaez, 10 NY3d 773, 775; see People v. Eboli, 34 N.Y.2d 281, 287). The fact that “under certain circumstances the crimes of rape in the first degree and [predatory sexual assault against a child] may be identical ․ does not ․ amount to a denial of equal protection” or due process (People v. Vicaretti, 54 A.D.2d 236, 239; see Eboli, 34 N.Y.2d at 287-288). It is apparent that the Legislature intended the more serious offense of predatory sexual assault against a child to be charged where the rape occurs to a child less than 13 years old and the defendant is at least 18 years old (see Donnino, Practice Commentaries, McKinney's Cons Laws of NY, Book 39, Penal Law § 130.00, at 82). Moreover, “the discretion to decide what is an ‘exceptional’ case warranting prosecution for the lower degree[ ] is entrusted to the prosecutor” (Eboli, 34 N.Y.2d at 288), and we agree with the People that this is not an exceptional case. In addition, “[t]here was no Apprendi violation because [Supreme C]ourt did not increase the penalty for the crime of which defendant had been convicted based upon facts not found by the jury” (People v. Adams, 50 AD3d 433, 433, lv denied 10 NY3d 955).

We reject defendant's contention that the evidence is legally insufficient because of the uncertainty concerning the precise date on which the crime occurred (see People v. Alteri, 49 AD3d 918, 919-920; see generally People v. Bleakley, 69 N.Y.2d 490, 495). In addition, viewing the evidence in light of the elements of the crimes as charged to the jury (see People v. Danielson, 9 NY3d 342, 349), we reject defendant's further contention that the verdict is against the weight of the evidence (see generally Bleakley, 69 N.Y.2d at 495). Defendant failed to preserve for our review his contention that he was denied a fair trial based on the testimony of an expert with respect to child sexual abuse accommodation syndrome (see People v. Martinez, 68 AD3d 1757, 1757-1758, lv denied 14 NY3d 803), and in any event his contention is without merit. “[E]xpert testimony regarding ․ abused child syndrome ․ may be admitted to explain behavior of a victim that might appear unusual or that jurors may not be expected to understand” (People v. Carroll, 95 N.Y.2d 375, 387; see People v. Taylor, 75 N.Y.2d 277, 287-288). Here, the expert described specific behavior that might be unusual or beyond the ken of a jury but did not give an opinion concerning whether the abuse actually occurred (see Martinez, 68 AD3d at 1758).

Defendant contends that he was denied effective assistance of counsel based on defense counsel's failure to request that the court charge rape in the first degree as a lesser included offense of predatory sexual assault against a child. Where, as here, the statutes contain identical language, it is for the court to determine whether to charge the lesser offense based on a reasonable view of the evidence, but such a charge “should be reserved for the ‘unusual factual situation[,’ which is] not presented by the evidence here” (People v. Discala, 45 N.Y.2d 38, 43). Thus, defense counsel was not ineffective in failing to move for such a charge because any such motion would have had “ ‘little or no chance of success' “ (People v. Caban, 5 NY3d 143, 152). We have examined the remaining allegations of ineffective assistance of counsel raised by defendant in the main brief and pro se supplemental brief and conclude that they lack merit (see generally People v. Baldi, 54 N.Y.2d 137, 147). The sentence is not unduly harsh or severe. We have considered defendant's remaining contentions in the main brief and conclude that they are without merit.

It is hereby ORDERED that the judgment so appealed from is unanimously affirmed.

MEMORANDUM: