Charles L. Jackson v. The State of Wyoming

Wyoming Supreme Court
Charles L. Jackson v. The State of Wyoming, 2013 WY 130 (Wyo. 2013)
311 P.3d 163; 2013 WL 5642841; 2013 Wyo. LEXIS 136
Kite, Reversing, Sentence

Charles L. Jackson v. The State of Wyoming

Opinion

MARILYN S. KITE, Chief Justice.

[11] This matter came before the Court upon a "Motion for Reversal and Remand," e-filed herein September 80, 2013, by the State of Wyoming. After a careful review of the motion, "Appellant's Resistance to Motion for Reversal and Remand," and the file, this Court finds as follows. Appellant was charged with one count of first degree sexual assault under Wyo. Stat Ann. § 6-2-302(a)(iii). After a jury trial, Appellant was convicted of third degree sexual assault pursuant to Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 6-2-304(a)@ii).

[12] In its motion, the State of Wyoming confesses that the district court erred in convicting Appellant of third degree sexual assault. The State agrees with Appellant that the jury should not have been instructed on third degree sexual assault, because that offense was not charged and is not a lesser included offense of first degree sexual assault. The parties do not agree on why third degree sexual assault is not a lesser included offense of first degree sexual assault. This Court finds that, under controlling precedent, "[flirst-degree sexual assault is a general intent crime." Bryan v. State, 745 P.2d 905, 909 (Wyo. 1987) The Court acknowledges that Appellant wishes to argue that Bryan is incorrect and should be overturned. However, this Court finds that such an argument is appropriately left for another day. This Court also agrees with the State that third degree sexual assault requires proof of a different mens rea than first degree, because sexual contract requires "touching, with the intention of sexual arousal, gratification or abuse of error." Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 6-2-801(a)(vi). Thus, given the different mens rea required to prove the two offenses, this Court agrees with the State of Wyoming that third degree sexual assault is not a lesser included offense of first degree sexual assault and that the jury here should not have been so instructed.

[13] This Court further agrees that the Appellant's conviction for third degree sexual assault should be reversed. Craney v. State, 798 P.2d 1202, 1206 (Wyo. 1990) ("To charge Craney with first degree sexual assault and attempted first degree sexual assault and then convict him of third degree sexual assault and attempted third degree sexual assault not only prevents an adequate defense, but allows for the conviction of an uncharged crime.... For these reasons, we reverse Craney's convictions and sentences for attempted third degree sexual assault and third degree sexual assault.") It is, therefore,

[T4] ORDERED that the district court's April 28, 2013, "Judgment and Sentence" be, and hereby is, reversed and vacated.

[15] DATED this 16%" day of October, 2018.

BY THE COURT:

/s) MARILYN S. KITE Chief Justice

Reference

Full Case Name
Charles L. JACKSON, Appellant (Defendant), v. the STATE of Wyoming, Appellee (Plaintiff)
Cited By
3 cases
Status
Published