FREDERICK FRENETTE
v.
STATE OF FLORIDA
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Frederick Frenette was indicted for rape but convicted of assault with intent to commit rape. The Florida Supreme Court affirmed the conviction, finding that the evidence sufficiently supported the conviction and that any trial errors were harmless or curable by jury instruction.
The conviction for assault with intent to commit rape is affirmed. The forensic evidence error was harmless because the jury's verdict indicated lack of penetration. The prosecutor's improper statements were adequately addressed by jury instruction. The defense theory of voluntary desistance does not apply where the victim strenuously resisted until rendered unconscious.
“The element of penetration was no longer a factor in the case when the jury by its verdict in effect acquitted appellant of rape by finding him guilty of assault with intent to commit rape and, therefore, the error became harmless because the verdict of the jury determined that there was not sufficient evidence to establish penetration.”
Establishes why the improper admission of forensic evidence was harmless error—the jury's conviction for assault with intent to rape rather than rape itself indicated lack of penetration.
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Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligenceFrenette assaulted a woman with the intent to have sexual intercourse with her. She resisted his advances until he struck her unconscious. When she re…
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Appellant, having been indicted and tried for the crime of rape, was convicted of assault with intent to commit rape.
The record is sufficient to establish that the appellant assaulted his intended victim with intent to have sexual intercourse with her; that she resisted his efforts and advances until he struck her a blow which knocked her unconscious; that when she regained consciousness he was kneeling over her and the crotch of her panties had been ripped or torn out.
The record discloses error that would have been reversible had the verdict been guilty of rape. This was evidence admitted concerning the technical analysis of a smear taken from the vagina of the alleged victim. The smear analyzed was not sufficiently identified for the report of the analysis to be admissible in evidence and neither was the purported report sufficiently identified to become admissible. This, however, became an immaterial and harmless error because that evidence, had it been such as could have legally been admitted, only went to the matter of establishing penetration. The element of penetration was no longer a factor in the case when the jury by its verdict in effect acquitted appellant of rape by finding him guilty of assault with intent to commit rape and, therefore, the error became harmless because the verdict of the jury determined that there was not sufficient evidence to establish penetration. See Bowden v. State, 152 Fla. 715, 12 Sou. (2) 887.
Appellant contends that the judgment should be reversed because of unfounded and prejudicial statements made by the state’s attorney in his closing argument to the jury. The record does show that some improper argument was used by the state’s attorney. A prosecuting attorney should always confine his argument to facts which are established by the record or which may be reasonably inferred from the facts established, and when he goes beyond that range he takes the chance that he may thereby cause the necessity of the reversal or a favorable judgment.
In this case, however, the objectionable remarks and statements of the state’s attorney were objected to by appellant’s counsel and the court properly instructed the jury that no *677consideration be given to such remarks. It is true that the court did not go as far as appellant’s counsel would have had him go in reprimanding the state’s attorney but We think that the action of the court in this regard was legally sufficient in view of the fact that under the showing made by the record here no jury could have justified a more lenient verdict than that which was returned by the jury in this case.
There is also a contention by the' appellant that there is no proof that the appellant did not voluntarily desist before the consummation of his purpose, and without any outside influence, and that therefore the judgment should be reversed. He cites in support of this contention Rye. v. State, 153 Fla. 599, 15 Sou. (2) 255. The holding of that case in this regard has no fair application here. There we said: “Moreover, a conviction for such offense (meaning assault with intent to rape) will not be sustained where it appears that the assailant voluntarily desisted before the consummation, without any outside influence and with no unusual resistance on the female’s part.” (parenthesis supplied)
What eliminates this case from the rule there stated is that here the female did strenuously resist until she was knocked unconscious by her assailant.
The evidence amply supports the conviction of assault with intent to commit rape.
The judgment is affirmed.
THOMAS, C.J., ADAMS and BARNS, JJ., concur.
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Wingate v. State, 232 So. 2d 44 (Fla. 3d DCA 1970)…prone have been recognized by the common law, and pro [*46] vision has been made for these human falli-bilities which may intrude upon the most experienced prosecuting attorneys. Eg., Singer v. State, Fla.1959, 109 So. 2d 7; Frenette v. State, 1947, 158 Fla. 675, 29 So. 2d 869. We also feel compelled to recognize the increased degree of sophistication and intelligence which the modern jury possesses for its assessment of the evidence presented and the arguments of counsel. Compare Shingleton v. Bussey, Fla.…
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Fitzgerald v. State, 227 So. 2d 45 (Fla. 3d DCA 1969)…tablished by the record or which may be reasonably inferred from the facts established, and when he goes beyond that range he [*47] takes the chance that he may thereby cause the necessity of the reversal of a favorable judgment.” Frenette v. State, 158 Fla. 675, 29 So. 2d 869 (1947). (Emphasis added.) A statement to the same effect appears in 23A C.J.S. Criminal Law § 1090, p. 129. We hold that the prosecutor in the present case by making in his closing argument the statement we emphasized went beyond a r…
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Paul v. State, 209 So. 2d 464 (Fla. 3d DCA 1968)…ase”. The prosecuting attorney may outline the facts which he, in good faith, expects to prove and which are competent for him to prove. See 23A C.J.S. Criminal Law § 1085. See also Tyson v. State, 87 Fla. 392, 100 So. 254 (1924); Frenette v. State, 158 Fla. 675, 29 So. 2d 869 (1947). No reversible error has been clearly demonstrated in this regard. The appellant also seeks reversal on the grounds that the court failed to instruct the jury as to each and every element of the offense for which she was charg…
Previewing 3 of 9 citing cases — full citator treatment, depth of discussion, and citing context are member features.
Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligenceAuthorities Cited
- State OF Fla. ex rel. Fulton BAG & Cotton Mills v. Burnside, 153 Fla. 599 (Fla. 1943)
- Rubin Bowden v. State, 152 Fla. 715 (Fla. 1943)