STATE OF NEW JERSEY VS. JOHN E. HOWARD (16-02-0459, ESSEX COUNTY AND STATEWIDE) ( 2019 )

NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE
APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION
This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court." Although it is posted on the
internet, this opinion is binding only on the parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited. R. 1:36-3.
SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
APPELLATE DIVISION
DOCKET NO. A-3786-17T1
STATE OF NEW JERSEY,
Plaintiff-Respondent,
v.
JOHN E. HOWARD, a/k/a
JOHN W. HOWARD, and
JAMAL FISHER,
Defendant-Appellant.
____________________________
Submitted October 10, 2019 – Decided October 25, 2019
Before Judges Haas and Mayer.
On appeal from the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law
Division, Essex County, Indictment No. 16-02-0459.
Joseph E. Krakora, Public Defender, attorney for
appellant (Scott David Finckenauer, Designated
Counsel, on the brief).
Theodore N. Stevens II, Acting Essex County
Prosecutor, attorney for respondent (Caroline C. Galda,
Special Deputy Attorney General/Acting Assistant
Prosecutor, of counsel and on the brief).
PER CURIAM
Defendant appeals from a May 9, 2017 judgment of conviction. He
specifically appeals from the judge's denial of his motion for acquittal at the
close of the State's case. He also challenges the judge's order granting the State's
motion for an extended sentence and imposition of a fifteen-year sentence. We
affirm.
Defendant was charged with first-degree armed robbery, N.J.S.A. 2C:15-
1; fourth-degree aggravated assault, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b)(3); second-degree
unlawful possession of a weapon, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5(b); and second-degree
possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4(a).
After hearing the evidence, a jury found defendant guilty of robbery and
the lesser-included offense of simple assault.
Based upon the jury's guilty verdict, the State moved for an extended
sentence. The judge granted the State's motion, finding defendant was a
persistent offender under N.J.S.A. 2C:44-3(a) and sentenced defendant to fifteen
years in prison.
We summarize the facts leading to defendant's guilty verdict. The victim,
a prostitute, frequented a particular area in Newark. The victim knew defendant
for about one year and saw him on a daily basis in the area where she worked.
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On the day of the incident, defendant approached the victim. Defendant
claimed he was experiencing heroin withdrawal and asked the victim if she had
any heroin. After the victim replied she had no heroin, defendant struck her in
the face with a gun. The victim fell to the ground, defendant stole her purse,
and then fled.
The victim reported the incident to the police. She was taken to the police
station where she gave a statement. She described her assailant as an "African-
American male, approximately 28 years of age, about [120 to 130] pounds, with
a beard, and . . . dreads." The victim was able to identify defendant in a photo
array as the man who robbed and assaulted her.
At trial, the victim gave similar testimony regarding the identity of her
assailant. She admitted that she had a previous criminal history and was
addicted to drugs.
At the close of the State's case, defendant moved for acquittal. Defense
counsel did not present any arguments in support of the motion and relied on the
facts as presented during the State's case. In opposition to the motion, the State
painstakingly summarized the facts and evidence against defendant. The State
argued the victim was credible and, giving the State all favorable inferences,
defendant's motion should be denied.
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The trial judge, in a detailed oral decision, denied defendant's motion. The
judge found that "[b]ased upon the testimony of [the victim], and giving the
State all reasonable inferences, there is sufficient evidence from which a
reasonable jury could find the defendant guilty" on all counts.
Defendant raises the following arguments:
POINT I
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN NOT GRANTING
DEFENDANT'S MOTION FOR A JUDGMENT OF
ACQUITTAL.
POINT II
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN IMPOSING AN
EXTENDED TERM SENTENCE OF FIFTEEN
YEARS.
We find insufficient merit in defendant's arguments to warrant discussion
in a written opinion. R. 2:11-3(e)(2).
We add only the following comments. In reviewing a decision on a
motion for acquittal, "the trial judge is not concerned with the worth , nature[,]
or extent (beyond a scintilla) of the evidence, but only with its existence, viewed
most favorably to the State." State v. DeRoxtro, 327 N.J. Super. 212, 224 (App.
Div. 2000) (quoting State v. Kluber, 130 N.J. Super. 336, 341 (App. Div. 1974)).
Our review of a trial court's denial of a motion for acquittal is "limited and
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deferential[,]" State v. Reddish, 181 N.J. 553, 620 (2004), and requires that "we
apply the same standard as the trial court." State v. Fuqua, 234 N.J. 583, 590
(2018) (citing State v. Sugar, 240 N.J. Super. 148, 153 (App. Div. 1990)).
Furthermore, "credibility
issues . . . [should] not be resolved by the judge when ruling on [a motion for
acquittal]" because such issues are for the jury to decide. State v. Pickett, 241
N.J. Super. 259, 265 (App. Div. 1990).
Having reviewed the record, we are satisfied the judge properly denied
defendant's motion for acquittal. The judge thoroughly reviewed and
summarized the evidence presented by the State, properly set forth the legal
standard for deciding a motion for acquittal, and, giving the State every
reasonable inference, cited the facts upon which a jury could find defendant
guilty as to each count. The judge correctly rejected defendant's argument that
the victim was incredible because issues of credibility were to be determined by
the jury, not the trial court.
We also reject defendant's challenge to the imposition of an extended term
sentence of fifteen years. We review a trial court's decision to impose an
extended term for abuse of discretion. State v. Pierce, 188 N.J. 155, 166 n.4
(2006). A trial court has discretion to impose an extended term sentence where
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a defendant satisfies certain criteria to be considered a persistent offender.
N.J.S.A. 2C:44-3(a). If the court grants the prosecutor's motion for an extended
term, the permissible sentencing range extends from the bottom of the ordinary
term range to the top of the extended term range. Pierce, 188 N.J. at 168.
Having reviewed the record, the imposition of a fifteen-year sentence is
amply supported. Defendant did not deny his status as a persistent offender.
The judge set forth the aggravating factors supporting the sentence imposed,
including defendant's criminal record, lack of employment, and history of drug
use. The judge found no mitigating factors. In imposing the sentence, the judge
expressly found an extended term was required to "protect the public from future
offenses by this defendant."
Affirmed.
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