Moultrie v. State
Moultrie v. State
Opinion of the Court
ON WRIT OF CERTIORARI
Respondent was convicted of first degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor (CSCM) and sentenced to eighteen years. His conviction was affirmed on appeal to the Court of Appeals by memorandum decision. Respondent then brought this action for post-conviction relief (PCR) which was granted. We reverse.
FACTS
Respondent was charged with CSCM for digitally penetrating his six-year-old niece’s vagina and tearing her vaginal wall just below the cervix. Both CSCM and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature (ABHAN) were submitted to the jury. Respondent was convicted of CSCM.
On PCR, the judge granted relief for counsel’s failure to request a King
ISSUE
Was respondent prejudiced by trial counsel’s failure to request a King charge?
DISCUSSION
Under S.C.Code Ann. § 16-3-655(1) (2003), CSCM is a sexual battery on a child less than eleven years old. A sexual battery is any intrusion, however slight, into the victim’s body. § 16-3-651(h). Respondent testified, contrary to the victim’s testimony, he did not penetrate her. He claimed her injury occurred when she fell out of a bunk bed while he was asleep
Under the evidence presented, respondent was guilty of a sexual battery or no battery at all. In such a case, the defendant is not entitled to a charge of ABHAN as a lesser-included offense of CSCM. State v. Forbes, 296 S.C. 344, 372 S.E.2d 591 (1988). Where there is no evidence to support an instruction on the lesser offense, a PCR applicant cannot show prejudice from the failure to request a King charge. Bell v. State, 321 S.C. 238, 467 S.E.2d 926 (1996); Gilmore v. State, 314 S.C. 453, 445 S.E.2d 454 (1994). Since respondent was not entitled to a charge on ABHAN, there is no prejudice from counsel’s failure to request a King charge. Accordingly, PCR was improperly granted. Brown v. State, 340 S.C. 590, 533 S.E.2d 308 (2000) (grant of PCR reversed where there no prejudice is shown).
REVERSED.
. State v. King, 158 S.C. 251, 155 S.E. 409 (1930).
. After Brightman v. State, 336 S.C. 348, 520 S.E.2d 614 (1999), a King charge is no longer required.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Walter MOULTRIE, III v. STATE of South Carolina
- Cited By
- 3 cases
- Status
- Published