STATE OF NEW JERSEY VS. NATHAN INGRAM STATE OF NEW JERSEY VS. ASHLEY D. BAILEY (15-11-3407, CAMDEN COUNTY AND STATEWIDE) (CONSOLIDATED) ( 2021 )

NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE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-2640-17T4
A-3157-17T4
STATE OF NEW JERSEY,
Plaintiff-Respondent,
v.
NATHAN INGRAM, a/k/a
NATHANIE INGRAM,
NATHANIEL J. INGRAM,
NATA INGRAM, and
FURQAN SALAAM,
Defendant-Appellant.
STATE OF NEW JERSEY,
Plaintiff-Respondent,
v.
ASHLEY D. BAILEY,
Defendant-Appellant.
___________________________
Submitted October 21, 2020 - Decided January 8, 2021
Before Judges Alvarez and Mitterhoff.
On appeal from the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law
Division, Camden County, Indictment No. 15-11-3407.
Joseph E. Krakora, Public Defender, attorney for
appellant Nathan Ingram (Kevin G. Byrnes, Designated
Counsel, on the briefs).
Joseph E. Krakora, Public Defender, attorney for
appellant Ashley D. Bailey (Frank M. Gennaro,
Designated Counsel, on the brief).
Jill S. Mayer, Acting Camden County Prosecutor,
attorney for respondent (Nancy P. Scharff, Special
Deputy Attorney General/Acting Assistant Prosecutor,
of counsel and on the briefs).
PER CURIAM
Co-defendants Nathan Ingram and Ashley D. Bailey were tried together
by a jury over several days in October and November 2017. They now appeal
their convictions and sentences; we affirm.
Ingram was found guilty of the following offenses: first-degree leader of
a narcotics trafficking network, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-3 (count one); first-degree
possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) with intent to distribute,
N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5(a)(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5(b)(1) (count two); second-degree
conspiracy, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5(b)(1) (count three); first-
degree maintaining or operating a CDS production facility, N.J.S.A. 2C:35 -4
(count four); eight counts of third-degree possession of a CDS (heroin), N.J.S.A.
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2C:35-10(a)(1) (counts seventeen, twenty-one, twenty-three, twenty-five,
twenty-seven, thirty-one, thirty-five and thirty-seven); eight counts of third-
degree distribution of a CDS (heroin), N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5(a)(1) and 2C:35-5(b)(3)
(counts eighteen, twenty-two, twenty-four, twenty-six, twenty-eight, thirty-two,
thirty-six, and thirty-eight); third-degree possession of a CDS (cocaine),
N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10(a)(1) (count thirty-nine); third-degree distribution of a CDS
(cocaine), N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5(a)(1) and 2C:35-5(b)(3) (count forty); and second-
degree possession of a weapon during a CDS offense, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4.1 (count
102).
Ingram's aggregate sentence is life imprisonment plus ten years, subject
to thirty years of parole ineligibility. The trial court appropriately merged
certain counts and sentenced Ingram on January 12, 2018, to a term of life on
count one, subject to twenty-five years of parole ineligibility, and a consecutive
ten-year prison term with five years of parole ineligibility on count 102. The
judge imposed terms concurrent to each other and count one as follows: twenty
years with ten years of parole ineligibility on count two; ten years with five years
of parole ineligibility on count three; twenty years with ten years of parole
ineligibility on count four; five years with two and one-half years of parole
A-2640-17T4
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ineligibility on counts eighteen, twenty-two, twenty-four, twenty-six, twenty-
eight, thirty-two, thirty-six, thirty-eight, and forty.
Bailey was indicted in three counts. The jury acquitted her of second-
degree conspiracy to distribute CDS, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 (count three), but
convicted her of two counts of second-degree official misconduct, N.J.S.A.
2C:30-2(a) (count seventy-two and seventy-three). After the judge denied her
motion for a new trial, she was sentenced on January 12, 2018, to eight years of
imprisonment subject to five years of parole ineligibility on count seventy -two,
and a concurrent seven-year term, subject to five years of parole ineligibility, on
count seventy-three. Her aggregate sentence was eight years, subject to five
years of parole ineligibility.
I.
We detail the circumstances that led to the indictment. Between April and
October 2014, state and local police conducted "Operation South District," an
investigation into a Camden drug ring. The targets included Ingram, his brother
Edwin Ingram (Edwin), Edwin's half-brother Fidel Webb, Donyell Calm,
Lawrence Brown, and Kareem Anderson.
The investigation began with multiple drug purchases, and the issuance of
communication data warrants (CDWs), and wiretap orders for the phones of
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Ingram, Calm, and Brown in June 2014. Wiretaps were also established for
Webb and Anderson's phones.
Police listened to thousands of conversations and surveilled numerous
citizen buys, at times arresting the purchasers. Ingram alone participated in
2838 calls/texts deemed pertinent to the investigation between June 2 and
October 19, 2014. Others discovered to be involved in the distribution scheme
included: Montell Lee, Tatiana Timmons, Kyiesha Grant, Andrew Colavecchio,
Jason Gazzara, Jermaine Calm, Kevin Williams, and Carlos Gutierrez.
Police concluded that Ingram's residence was a "stash house" after
synchronized raids on his home and the residences of Grant, Gazzara, Calm, and
Colavecchio on October 28, 2014. At Ingram's residence, the authorities found
two safes containing heroin and crack cocaine, additional bags of crack cocaine
and heroin; drug packaging materials (i.e. wax paper folds, small baggies, a
digital scale and an ink stamp); more than seven cell phones; a bag containing
pots, blenders and sifters; $782 in cash; two rifles and magazines; a loaded .38
caliber revolver and a Ruger .22 caliber pistol and magazine; and two handgun
clips and additional bullets.
While the search was underway, Ingram told police the items being seized
were "all [his]," and that everyone in his home and his family "had nothing to
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do with it." Ingram later gave a formal statement acknowledging to police that:
(1) there had been 500 grams of heroin in his basement; (2) he purchased his
drugs from "J.B." in Philadelphia, 200 to 1000 grams at a time; (3) he
occasionally purchased uncut powder cocaine from J.B.; (4) all of his money
was invested in the drugs; (5) he last purchased drugs from J.B. two months
prior; (6) he had accumulated the drugs found in his home "over time"; (7) he
purchased the seized weapons from "crack heads" who used to work for him;
and (8) Brown was staying at his home. [PIa561-PIa601]. When police told him
that they knew Brown was working for him, defendant asked "what the fuck
don't [y'all] know."
The search of Grant's home resulted in the seizure of ammunition, three
cell phones, a scale, and multiple boxes of drug packaging materials. When
police searched the apartment next door to Grant's, they located a large bag
containing 978 wax folds of heroin together with a trash bag containing drug
paraphernalia. At Gazzara's residence, police found heroin, marijuana, scales,
cell phones, ledgers, and packaging materials. From Calm's home, police seized
multiple bags of crack cocaine and heroin, wax folds, cell phones, glass v ials,
and baggies. Marijuana, $10,000, prescription pills, packaging materials, drug
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paraphernalia, a ledger, a heat sealer, and a box containing three digital scales
were located in Colavecchio's residence. Edwin's home was not searched.
Bailey, a Camden County police officer, was Edwin's wife. On August
13, 2014, police initiated a wiretap on her phone and Edwin's phone. One
hundred and thirty-five telephone calls were logged between Bailey and
members of the drug organization from June through August 2014, although
only six occurred after August 13, 2014. Before the wiretaps commenced, 939
calls were recorded between Edwin and members of the drug organization, but
only six after. Edwin was not recorded talking to anyone about drugs.
Bailey accessed investigative reports using the Law Enforcement
Advanced Application (LEAA), a computerized database of police reports ,
during this time. Like every police officer, Bailey used an individual password
to log onto the system.
The LEAA log revealed that on June 10, 2014, Bailey accessed a March
31, 2014 report concerning Webb, and a March 26, 2014 arrest report concerning
Calm. That same day, she also accessed six reports concerning Edwin, and
related events occurring on December 6, 2012, August 6, 2013, November 11,
2013, and March 13, 23, and 26, 2014. On June 19, 2014, Bailey accessed
reports concerning Calm dated April 7 and 29, 2014, and May 27, 2014. [8T17 -
A-2640-17T4
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8T19]. She did not print the reports. Bailey was not officially involved in any
aspect of the investigation.
Early in the morning on September 16, 2014, police videotaped a meeting
at Ingram's residence attended by Edwin and Webb. Later that morning, police
intercepted a phone call between Calm and Anderson during which they stated
that Edwin was "scared as hell" because "IA" was "near his crib." That same
day, between 4:06 p.m. and 10:03 p.m., Bailey and Edwin exchanged the
following text messages:
[Female]: Don't get yourself all worked up. It's nothing
you can change about it, if it's done. We had our
chance, even me, to throw in the towel and . . . get free
of it all. And I chose you, so I chose my fate. Shit
happens. I guess it was just in God's plan. I'm stressed,
but it's nothing I can change.
[Male]: It ain't nothing. Don't worry about it. As long
as you're not a crooked cop, we'll be good.
[Female]: That's not true. There's more to it than that.
I tried so many times to explain how much more that
included, but I chose to be here, so I am just as
responsible. I promised myself that I wouldn't make it
here, but what can I do about it?
[Male]: It ain't even nothing. People just talking. You
off?
[Female]: They talking and they thinking up a plan,
babe. But no worries. I'm relieved they foo [sic] what
I couldn't. A good plan.
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[Male]: How long you going to be out?
[Female]: You're not going to believe what I was . . .
told tonight.
[Male]: What?
[Female]: It's true.
[Male]: How did that happen?
[Female]: One of the guys working with L3 Narc.
Fuck, fuck, fuck. How did I fucking get here? WTF. I
am so fucking disappointed with myself. I am so
fucking stressed now.
[Male]: What? They know nothing.
[Female]: I don't know what he knows. It's time for
me to brace myself. I accept what's for me. I accepted
that when I chose you. We chose each other and I'm
ready for that battle. I don't care. I chose to love and
that's all that matters. You love me and I love you, so
let them bring me what I knew would come some day.
[Male]: We gonna be good. Let them watch.
[Female]: I know. If not, we still got each other and
that's good enough for me. It's time for you to choose,
though. Choose to let us burn or choose to help us beat
this. I can't make that decision for us. Look where it
got us now. I could use a hug and a foot rub. You up
for it?
[Male]: I got us. Watch.
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At 5:00 a.m. on October 23, 2014, Sergeant Robert Borger of the CCPD
gave a contrived intelligence briefing at a roll call attended by Bailey and one
other officer. Borger advised the two officers that: (1) on April 12, 2014, a
Quasham Land was shot for the second time that week in a particular area; (2)
on April 24, 2014, Calm contacted police and stated that he was driving on Ferry
Avenue with two passengers, including A.B., when he spotted Land, whom he
believed had stolen $3000 from him, driving in a red SUV; (3) Calm started to
follow Land, but then Land pulled over, got out and fired a handgun at Calm;
(4) A.B. fired back in self-defense with a nine millimeter handgun; and (5) Land
was charged as a result of Calm's statement. Borger told Bailey and her fellow
officer that it had just been confirmed that the nine millimeter casing from the
April shooting matched casings related to a criminal mischief incident that
occurred in front of Calm's house the prior month.
The field activity report for Bailey's patrol car indicated that, after she left
the briefing, Bailey stopped at her home for two minutes at 5:50 a.m., returning
at 7:25 a.m. for forty-one minutes. At 10:06 a.m., Webb called Calm and asked
him if they could meet at the Ferry Avenue train station. Police surveilled and
took pictures of the pair's subsequent meeting at 10:25 a.m. and a second
meeting around 12:00 p.m.
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Shortly after meeting with Webb, Calm called a woman who resided out
of state, asking about a house for sale across the street from her residence. He
told her, "I need to . . . . I got to bail. Like [ASAP], [ASAP]." Calm also called
Anderson and told him: "I'm hot like, word up. Somebody just told me I'm hot,
. . . I'm being watched . . . . They been watching me since that shit with
(indiscernible) . . . . [W]hat added more fuel to the fire you heard . . . . [t]hat
day when you came over here . . . [t]hem jawns are linked to the other shit . . . .
It's with the same jawns."
Detective Sergeant Keith Moyer, of the New Jersey State Police
Intelligence and Criminal Enterprise Section, later explained at trial that the
term "jawns" referred to shell casings. Later that same day, Calm spoke again
by phone with Anderson, telling him that he already got a different number, that
he was "hot," and that the jawns were "filthy dirty."
Police arrested Bailey on October 28, 2014, the day of the drug raids.
Moyer was present when Bailey made two statements. She related that she and
Edwin had been romantically involved since high school, and had an on-and-off
relationship. They lived in a house she owned, along with their children. Edwin
did not have a full-time job or help with any household expenses. She wanted
him to find work. Bailey claimed that Edwin beat her, and that she had wanted
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to tell her supervisor Sergeant John Maddox about the domestic violence, and
to finally be free from Edwin.
Bailey admitted that she had accessed the LEAA system and reviewed the
reports at issue and knew her activities were discoverable. She claimed she was
trying to keep track of Edwin's involvement with Calm, Webb, and Anderson,
whom she described as "freaking hoodlums" who sold drugs and engaged in
other criminal behavior. She said that Edwin also sold drugs and had been lying
to her about his activities. Bailey denied accessing the reports in an effort to
gain any benefit for herself or to help the drug organization.
Bailey admitted making telephone calls to some of the codefendants, but
insisted she was only trying to reach Edwin, who avoided her calls and, for a
period of time, disconnected his phone. She acknowledged making 149 calls to
Calm, Brown, and Webb in June and July 2014, and claimed that she did not
make any calls to Brown or Webb between July 20 and September 5 because
Edwin had told her he was no longer friends with them. She denied that the
calls ceased because she learned about the wiretaps.
Bailey acknowledged that when she stopped home after the October 23
briefing, she discussed it, and the investigation into Calm, with Edwin in an
attempt to learn more about Edwin's activities. She was angry and may have
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mentioned the matching shells. Her intention was not to give anyone a "head[s]
up[,]" but knew that Edwin then spoke to Webb, who told Calm the police were
"looking at [him]."
Bailey admitted that she had seen Edwin pull drugs bags and paraphernalia
out of his pockets but was afraid to report it to police. She also maintained that
she did not know exactly what Edwin was "up to" or specific information to
report. Edwin had warned her that she was being investigated by internal affairs.
II.
The following facts were developed at trial. Detective Christy DiVito of
the CCPD testified that she made undercover drug buys from Ingram and Calm ,
purchasing heroin, and occasionally crack cocaine, on eight occasions directly
from Ingram. Once, Ingram sent Calm in his stead to complete the transaction.
She made seven drug buys directly from Calm. On two occasions, Calm arrived
in a car driven by Edwin, and once, Calm was accompanied by Brown.
During Moyer's testimony, the prosecutor played both Ingram's statement
to police and a significant number of the intercepted calls. Some texts were read
as well. Transcriptions of the intercepted calls totaling more than 500 pages
were provided to the jury as listening aids. Moyer testified as an expert in drug
distribution and electronic surveillance, and interpreted the jargon used during
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the calls, identified the speakers and otherwise assisted the jury in understanding
the import of the calls.
Some of the calls played for the jury revealed defendant Ingram: (1)
wanting to talk with Calm; (2) confirming with a customer the particular drugs
he had for sale; (3) directing buyers to come to his home to pick up drugs; (4)
stating that he would consult with Edwin after a complaint about drug quality;
(5) stating that he had a "young boy that hustles for [him]" with the "old work"
but that he now had "new work" to give to a complaining customer; (6) advising
a supplier that customers were complaining and that he needed to provide his
dealers with good stuff; (7) telling that supplier that he also had something better
coming his way and that he would call as soon as he got it and get him some;
(8) giving instructions to Brown; (9) reassuring someone that he would get him
what he wanted in order to keep his business; (10) denying responsibility for
alleged poor drug quality because while he personally "gr[ound] the shit," he
left if for someone else to finish preparing; (11) asking two subordinates whether
customers were satisfied with the product and then agreeing to provide more
because it was selling well; (12) agreeing to pay a subordinate on a weekly basis
and discussing his cut; and (13) looking for dealers to work out of a ne w
location.
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Moyer also explained that a high-level drug distribution organization dealt
with large quantities of drugs and operated in a hierarchy with a number of co -
conspirators moving merchandise between supplier and the street level sellers.
In Camden, a single purchase of 100 grams of heroin suggested that the
purchaser was involved in a high-level drug distribution organization. Based
upon his review of the information obtained by police during the course of the
investigation, Moyer opined that Edwin was the organization's leader and
supplied the drugs sold by everyone involved. Webb was Edwin's assistant or
"consigliere."
According to Moyer, the organization eventually split into two factions,
one led by Calm and Anderson, and the other led by Ingram, with Brown
working for both factions. Moyer described Brown as a "set manager" who
supervised Lee and Timmons. Other lower level members of the organization
included Gazarra and Colavecchio. Gutierrez maintained the stash house.
Moyer said the investigation was impeded because they had difficulty
getting Edwin's phone number and he ceased making calls after the wiretap on
his phone "went live." Moyer thought that Bailey learned of the wiretaps and
warned Edwin. He was not surprised that they failed to record Edwin talking
about drugs since it was common for the head of a drug organization not to be
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involved in discussions of that sort. Moyer acknowledged that, per the
intercepted calls and texts, it appeared that Calm and Anderson believed that
Bailey objected to Edwin's involvement with them. He did not know of any
specific information she provided to the organization to facilitate drug activity .
Lieutenant Joseph Hoffman testified that officers are not allowed to
disclose confidential information to civilians or otherwise interfere with the
administration of justice, and that they were also required to report criminal
activity. The prosecutor played Bailey's statement during Hoffman's testimony.
Hoffman confirmed that Edwin's last conviction was in 2007.
Ingram did not testify. He did not present any witnesses on his behalf.
Bailey testified that she was thirty-one years old, had completed two years
of college, and worked for four years as a corrections officer in Delaware before
deciding to attend the New Jersey police academy. She had no criminal record.
She married Edwin in 2011, fully aware that he had been incarcerated . Bailey
attributed the intermittent nature of her relationship with Edwin to ongoing
domestic violence, including an incident where he shot her in the leg, and other
problems. She confirmed that, on July 15, 2016, Edwin died of an apparent
heart attack at age thirty-two.
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Bailey claimed that she disclosed Edwin's criminal history at the time she
applied to work in various police departments, including the Camden County
police department. It made it difficult for her to find a job in law enforcement.
Maddox was her supervisor.
Bailey insisted that, contrary to her statement, she actually told Maddox,
whom she said knew of Edwin's criminal background, that she needed a
restraining order against Edwin because she could not "take the . . . beatings
anymore." However, Maddox's only response was to say "[you have] a gun, use
it." Bailey also maintained that, at a party, Hoffman told her to leave Edwin
because Edwin was going to "take [her] down with him." She stated that she
stayed with Edwin because she loved him and they had children, including a
third child born after police made their arrests in this case.
According to Bailey, Edwin also lied to her, cheated on her, and hung
around with the wrong people including Calm, Anderson, Ingram, and Webb.
She felt it was her job to stop her husband from participating in their drug
activities. She did not get along with Calm, Anderson, or Ingram, all of whom
resented her attempts to keep Edwin away from them, but she did have a decent
relationship with Webb. Because Edwin avoided her and she did not always
have a number where she could reach him, she would call Calm in an effort to
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reach Webb, who would usually tell her where she could locate Edwin. She
insisted that she called Calm 129 times in June and July 2014 because she was
looking for Edwin, not because she wanted to speak to Calm.
Bailey testified that she looked up Edwin and Calm in the LEAA to see if
Edwin was telling the truth when he said he was not hanging around with Calm.
She knew her activities could be tracked. Bailey saw that Edwin and Calm had
been stopped together, and discussed what she learned only with Edwin because
she wanted him to know she knew he was lying to her about Calm. Nothing she
read in any of the reports she accessed referenced an intelligence report or a
police event that was going to occur in the future. She had no access to
intelligence information and never tried to enter the department's separate
intelligence database. Notably, she admitted that Calm did ask her on one
occasion to check into an open investigation, but insisted that she refused to do
this for him, although she looked into things for personal reasons.
Bailey claimed she stopped home after the October 23 briefing, knowing
she could be tracked, because she needed her flashlight and cuff keys, and to get
her children ready for school. She acknowledged that she asked Edwin if he
knew anything about what she had learned at the briefing, and that their
conversation grew heated. Bailey denied that she intended to share confidential
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information with him, and did not believe she had, admitting that it was possible
she might have revealed something in the heat of the argument. She did not
recall everything she said.
Bailey explained the September 2014 text exchange captured by the State
as merely a discussion about her relationship with Edwin, not the drug
organization. Edwin had told her that he had heard she was being investigated
by her department. He thought she would be okay, though, because she was not
a crooked cop. When Bailey said there was more, she was referring to having
run his name in the LEAA. Telling Edwin he was not going to believe what she
had been told that night was merely a reference to Hoffman's statement that
Edwin was going to take her down with him, which she believed confirmed she
was under investigation.
On cross-examination, Bailey denied being the aggressor in her
relationship with Edwin. She admitted that, as described in certain text
messages, on September 6, 2014, she set fire to a car Edwin drove, but which
she claimed was in her name. She wanted to disable the car because he was
using it for illegal purposes and she did not want to get in trouble. Bailey
eventually conceded that the car was registered to one Carl Bagby, Jr. Bailey
confirmed that she also threatened to set fire to a van she owned but Edwin
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drove. She insisted that she was not trying to stop Edwin because she knew
about the wiretap.
Bailey denied any knowledge of a large drug organization, and said she
had no specific proof that Edwin was a drug dealer. She never actually saw
anyone selling drugs. If she had known actual details, she would have reported
them.
On rebuttal, Detective Clement Fuscellaro, who recruited Bailey, testified
that she never told him that Edwin shot her and that he had no separate
knowledge of the incident. Maddox denied that Bailey told him she was the
victim of domestic violence, and said he never advised her to shoot Edwin rather
than get a restraining order. Hoffman said he did not tell Bailey to leave Edwin,
or that she was the subject of an internal affairs investigation prior to her October
28, 2014 interview. On surrebuttal, Bailey's son, Tyjee Kellem, then age fifteen,
testified that Edwin had shot Bailey in the leg.
Ingram raises the following points:
POINT I
THE EXPERT OPINION PLACING THE
DEFENDANT IN THE MIDDLE OF A NARCOTICS
TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATION WAS UNDULY
PREJUDICIAL AND WAS BASED ON ABSENTEE
WITNESSES.
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A. The Expert Opinion Should Have Been
Excluded.
1. The Expert Opinion Was Speculative,
Embodied the Ultimate Issue in the Case,
and Usurped the Function of the Jury.
2. The Expert Opinion Should Have Been
Excluded Because It Was Based on
Extensive Hearsay by Absentee Witnesses
Not Subject to Confrontation.
B. The Expert Witness Instruction Was Deficient.
POINT II
THE DEFENDANT'S RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS OF
LAW AS GUARANTEED BY THE FOURTEENTH
AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES
CONSTITUTION AND ART. I, PAR. 1 OF THE NEW
JERSEY CONSTITUTION WAS VIOLATED BY
THE CONTRADICTORY, CONFUSING,
ERRONEOUS, AND PREJUDICIAL JURY
INSTRUCTIONS ON THE LAW OF A LEADER OF
A NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING NETWORK.
A. The Instruction Was Contradictory and
Confusing.
B. The Trial Court Failed to Instruct Jurors that the
Defendant Could Be Convicted of a Lesser
Offense Based on His Own Intent and
Participation in the Crime.
C. The Trial Court Failed to Mold the Law to the
Facts.
D. The Instruction on the Law of Conspiracy to
Commit a Drug Distribution Offense, a Predicate
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Offense for the Leader Crime, Was Neither Clear
nor Understandable.
POINT III
THE PROSECUTOR IMPROPERLY PERSUADED
THE JURY WITH A DRUG TRAFFICKING
NETWORK CHART SHE CREATED THAT WAS
NOT INTRODUCED INTO EVIDENCE AND WAS
NOT PROVIDED TO COUNSEL.
POINT IV
THE TRIAL COURT IMPROPERLY ADMITTED
IRRELEVANT AND UNDULY PREJUDICIAL
EVIDENCE.
POINT V
A JUDGMENT OF ACQUITTAL SHOULD HAVE
BEEN ENTERED BY THE COURT.
A. A Judgment of Acquittal Should Have been
Entered on the Charge of Maintaining a Narcotics
Nuisance.
B. The Trial Court Should Have Entered a Judgment
of Acquittal on the Charge of Being a Leader of
a Narcotics Trafficking Network.
POINT VI
THE DEFENDANT'S RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS OF
LAW AS GUARANTEED BY THE FOURTEENTH
AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES
CONSTITUTION AND ART. 1, PAR. 1 OF THE NEW
JERSEY CONSTITUTION WAS VIOLATED BY
THE ACCUMULATION OF ERRORS.
POINT VII
THE SENTENCE IS EXCESSIVE.
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A. The Trial Court Improperly Balanced the
Aggravating and Mitigating Factors.
B. The Imposition of a Life Sentence Plus Ten Years
is Cruel and Unusual and Shocks the Judicial
Conscience.
Bailey asserts the following errors occurred:
POINT ONE:
THE STATE'S ADMISSION OF TEXT MESSAGES
BETWEEN DEFENDANT AND HER HUSBAND,
SUBJECT TO THE MARITAL PRIVILEGE, DENIED
DEFENDANT A FAIR TRIAL.
POINT TWO:
THE STATE'S ADMISSION OF INADMISSIBLE
OTHER CRIMES EVIDENCE DENIED
DEFENDANT A FAIR TRIAL.
POINT THREE:
DEFENDANT WAS ENTITLED TO JUDGMENTS
OF ACQUITTAL ON THE OFFICIAL
MISCONDUCT COUNTS.
POINT FOUR:
THE TRIAL COURT'S IMPROPER JURY
INSTRUCTION ON OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT
DENIED DEFENDANT A FAIR TRIAL.
POINT FIVE:
THE PROSECUTOR'S QUESTIONING OF
DEFENDANT ABOUT AN UNCHARGED ARSON
WITHOUT FIRST ADVISING DEFENDANT OF
HER FIFTH AMENDMENT RIGHTS WAS ERROR.
A-2640-17T4
23
POINT SIX:
THE TRIAL COURT WRONGFULLY DENIED
DEFENDANT'S MOTION FOR A NEW TRIAL.
POINT SEVEN:
DEFENDANT RECEIVED AN EXCESSIVE
SENTENCE.
We address the points in combination where appropriate. We first discuss
Ingram's claims of error, then turn to Bailey's.
III. INGRAM
A.
Ingram contends that the trial court erred in permitting Moyer to opine
that he was a central figure in the narcotics trafficking organization. He further
contends that the jury charge regarding expert witnesses was deficient.
It is improper for an expert to opine as to a defendant's guilt. State v.
Odom, 116 N.J. 65, 77 (1989). However, as long as the expert does not express
his opinion regarding guilt but simply characterizes a defendant's conduct based
on the evidence in light of his specialized knowledge, the opinion is not
objectionable even though it embraces ultimate issues that the jury must decide.
Id. at 79. In instructing the jury, a trial court must emphasize that the
determination of ultimate guilt or innocence is the jury's exclusive provenance.
Id. at 82.
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24
Experts in drug-distribution cases are permitted to offer necessary insight
into matters not commonly understood by the average juror, such as the
significance of drug packaging and weight, the function of drug paraphernalia
such as scales, baggies and cutting agents, the meaning of drug logos, the value
of the drugs and how low-level drug transactions are arranged and carried out.
State v. Cain, 224 N.J. 410, 413-14, 426 (2016). However, once apprised of the
peculiar characteristics of a drug-distribution scheme, it is left to the jurors to
decide whether a defendant possessed the requisite mental state to commit a
particular drug offense. Id. at 413-14, 426-27. The expert may not intrude on
the jury's exclusive domain as factfinder by offering "ultimate-issue testimony"
either directly or by way of answers to loaded hypothetical questions that "may
be viewed as an expert's quasi-pronouncement of guilt . . . ." Id. at 427. The
jury must sort through the evidence and use its "common sense to make simple
logical deductions." Ibid.Ingram's high-level role with the drug network was evidenced by the
intercepted texts and calls, the seizures from his home, and his own statements,
including his admission that others including Brown worked for him. Moyer
did not specify individuals supervised by defendant. His narrowly focused and
brief expert testimony regarding defendant's position within the organizational
A-2640-17T4
25
hierarchy was supported by and corroborated the overwhelming proofs
regarding Ingram's role in this large drug distribution network. It was that
evidence, not Moyer's statement, which allowed the jury to draw its conclusions
regarding Ingram's leadership role.
Ingram also contends for the first time on appeal that Moyer's expert
testimony regarding the organizational hierarchy should have been excluded
because it relied in part upon recorded conversations not played to the jury. We
do not agree that this makes the admission of Moyer's narrowly focused opinion
error. Ingram notes his trial attorney objected to Moyer's interpretation of a
recorded conversation that was played for the jury—however, it was not
objected to with regard to his opinion on the structure of the organization.
Furthermore, Bailey's attorney actually sought to limit the recordings presented
at trial.
Ingram also now contends for the first time that the jury charge regarding
expert witnesses was deficient because the court did not instruct the jury to avoid
giving an expert's factual testimony greater weight because he is qualified as an
expert. This argument also lacks merit.
Moyer testified as a fact witness, describing the investigation and Ingram's
statement. As an expert, he assisted the jury in understanding the import of the
A-2640-17T4
26
numerous recordings they heard and the hierarchy of the drug organization.
There was a clear divide between the two areas covered by his testimony.
Ingram does not even identify the particular prejudice that inured to him because
of the lack of the instruction he claims was necessary.
The trial court properly instructed the jury, following the model jury
charge, as to how to consider Moyer's expert testimony both when he testified
and then again in the final charge. Model Jury Charges (Criminal), "Expert
Testimony" (revised Nov. 10, 2018). Thus, the court's admission of Moyer's
testimony was not error, much less plain error. See R. 1:7-5.
B.
It is axiomatic that "[a]ppropriate and proper charges to a jury are essential
for a fair trial." State v. Maloney, 216 N.J. 91, 104-05 (2013) (alteration in
original) (quoting State v. Green, 86 N.J. 281, 287 (1981)). Erroneous
instructions on "matters or issues material to the jury's deliberations" are
presumed to be reversible error. State v. Jordan, 147 N.J. 409, 422 (1997). The
presumption of prejudicial error exists even when no objection was raised below
by defense counsel. State v. Federico, 103 N.J. 169, 176 (1986).
However, if defense counsel fails to challenge the instructions given,
reversal will only be warranted where the alleged error was "clearly capable of
A-2640-17T4
27
producing an unjust result . . . ." R. 2:10-2; State v. Torres, 183 N.J. 554, 564
(2005); Jordan, 147 N.J. at 421. Plain error in the context of a jury charge
requires demonstration of
"[l]egal impropriety in the charge prejudicially
affecting the substantial rights of the defendant
sufficiently grievous to justify notice by the reviewing
court and to convince the court that of itself the error
possessed a clear capacity to bring about an unjust
result."
[State v. Burns, 192 N.J. 312, 341 (2007) (alteration in
original) (quoting Jordan, 147 N.J. at 422).]
A jury charge "must be read as a whole in determining whether there was any
error." Torres, 183 N.J. at 564. Moreover, the effect of any error must be
considered "in light of the overall strength of the State's case." State v. Walker,
203 N.J. 73, 90 (2010) (quoting State v. Chapland, 187 N.J. 275, 289 (2006)).
Although the inclusion of specific references to the evidence by the court
during a jury charge has been deemed the "better practice" by our Supreme
Court, State v. Concepcion, 111 N.J. 373, 379 (1988), the failure of a trial judge
to so charge the jury usually becomes of paramount importance only where
conflicting testimony pointing to divergent verdicts is involved, and where the
charge emphasizes only one side's version of the pertinent events. State v.
Martin, 119 N.J. 2, 16-17 (1990); State v. Bilek, 308 N.J. Super. 1, 10-14 (App.
A-2640-17T4
28
Div. 1998). Indeed, our Supreme Court has cautioned that the absence of such
a detailed charge does not constitute per se plain error warranting reversal, but
that the omission must be viewed in the context of the evidence of the case in
order to determine its prejudicial effect. See Concepcion, 111 N.J. at 381.
Ingram now argues that the model jury charge regarding the leader of a
narcotics trafficking network was "incomprehensible" for a variety of reasons.
He contends that the charge was inherently contradictory because it requires a
defendant supervise "at least one other person" for purposes of the third element
of the offense, while supervising "others" for the fourth element. Thus, he
suggests that the reference to "one other person" should be deleted from the
model charge and "others" retained because "the [l]eader is 'high' in the
network." Given the testimony supporting his employment of several
individuals, the alleged flaw is irrelevant and does not require further discussion.
Ingram additionally attacks the model jury charge on the basis it failed to
provide the jury with guidelines they might employ in assessing whether a
defendant acts "with a lesser degree of criminal culpability than other principals
and accomplices." The point, however, is irrelevant. Ingram was charged as a
principal, not an accomplice.
A-2640-17T4
29
Ingram further contends that the judge should have: (1) molded the leader
charge to the facts in the case because of the innumerable options the jury had
under the charge (some of which he contends, without elaboration, were not
supported by the record) for finding defendant guilty; and (2) specifically
omitted inapplicable portions of the charge such as that which referred to
dispensing drugs to a "research subject pursuant to the order of a practitioner."
As the State notes, had the court attempted this, defendant would have likel y
argued on appeal that the court invaded the province of the jury. Given Ingram's
confession, and specific admissions, these contentions do not warrant
discussion. R. 2:11-3(e)(2).
Ingram contends that the narcotics leader charge allowed the jury to
convict him based upon "an agreement to attempt to attempt the transference of
drugs." The claim is not supported by the record. Ingram's own admissions
made it clear he never disputed the fact he was a drug dealer. Rather, he disputed
the extent of his role in the narcotics network. This argument is also irrelevant
and does not require additional discussion.
C.
Ingram raises four points of error that do not require discussion in a
written opinion given the overwhelming nature of the State's proofs, which
A-2640-17T4
30
included recordings, text messages, visual observations, the seizure of physical
evidence, and his confession. R. 2:11-3(e)(2). We begin with Ingram's point
that the prosecutor's display of a chart depicting the hierarchy of the drug
trafficking network was prejudicial. Ingram's counsel did not join in Bailey's
objection, which was grounded on her claim that she had not been provided the
chart in discovery. The prosecutor assured the court that although the chart was
modified to reflect the proofs at trial, it was similar to others provided in
discovery, and that she intended to display it for just a few seconds. She did so
both in the beginning and the end of her summation. Ingram's attorney posed
no objection while Bailey's counsel challenged the use of the chart in the motion
for a new trial. The judge ruled it was an admissible demonstrative aid. To
contend the admission was prosecutorial misconduct is not supported by the
record. See R. 2:11-3(e)(2).
Ingram also argues he was denied a fair trial because the State presented
a series of police witnesses who testified regarding the raids at the homes of
other participants in the network, without specifically connecting him to the
premises. The raids were conducted at the homes of those the State alleged
Ingram controlled in the drug network. The ongoing conspiracy to distribute
A-2640-17T4
31
drugs, as substantiated in the State's proofs, established his connection to those
items in the absence of physical proof at the location. See R. 2:11-3(e)(2).
Ingram further contends that the court erred in denying his motion for a
judgment of acquittal on the charge of maintaining a narcotics facility. Trial
counsel sought such a dismissal, but Ingram admitted to police that the
substantial quantity of drugs found in his home had been there for some time.
Based on all the State's evidence, the judge properly concluded a reasonable jury
could infer Ingram's residence was used on an ongoing basis, and denied the
motion. See R. 2:11-3(e)(2).
When Ingram confessed, he insisted that he worked for himself, and that
he worked with others only on one or two occasions. Thus, he now argues, the
State did not establish that he was the leader of a narcotics network. In light of
the State's overwhelming proofs, we disagree. R. 2:11-3(e)(2).
Ingram also contends that the cumulative errors warrant reversal. We see
no error whatsoever, thus this argument too must fail. R. 2:11-3(e)(2).
D.
Ingram contends that in sentencing him, the court did not correctly weigh
the applicable aggravating and mitigating factors. We disagree.
A-2640-17T4
32
Ingram's extensive criminal history included multiple juvenile
adjudications, six municipal court convictions, twelve indictable convictions,
plus an out-of-state felony conviction. As a result, the court found the following
aggravating factors: the risk Ingram would commit another offense, N.J.S.A.
2C:44-1(a)(3), his prior record, N.J.S.A. 2C:44-1(a)(6), and the need for
deterrence, N.J.S.A. 2C:44-1(a)(9). The judge found no mitigating factors, and
weighed all the aggravating factors heavily in light of Ingram's past criminal
record and the nature of this offense in light of that record.
In reviewing a criminal defendant's sentence, we must determine whether
the findings of fact regarding aggravating and mitigating factors were based on
competent and reasonably credible evidence in the record, whether the trial court
applied the correct sentencing guidelines enunciated in the Code, and whether
the application of the factors to the law constituted such clear error of judgment
as to shock the judicial conscience. State v. Fuentes, 217 N.J. 57, 70 (2014);
State v. O'Donnell, 117 N.J. 210, 215-16 (1989); State v. Jarbath, 114 N.J. 394,
401 (1989). In the process of reviewing the sentence, we must avoid substituting
our judgment for the judgment of the trial court. State v. Cassady, 198 N.J. 165,
180 (2009); O'Donnell, 117 N.J. at 215; State v. Roth, 95 N.J. 334, 365 (1984).
A-2640-17T4
33
In this case, the factors were correctly weighed based on evidence in the
record. The sentence, in light of the legislatively mandated range, does not
shock our judicial conscience.
IV. BAILEY
A.
During the trial, the State presented one text message exchange between
Bailey and Edwin, dated September 2014. We have recounted that exchange
fully in the fact section of that opinion. Bailey argues first that the trial court's
decision to admit the exchange pursuant to the crime-fraud exception to spousal
privilege violated federal and state ex post facto laws.
The marital communications privilege codified at N.J.S.A. 2A:84A-22
and set forth in N.J.R.E. 509 "stems from the strong public policy of encouraging
free and uninhibited communication between spouses, and, consequently, of
protecting the sanctity and tranquility of the marriage relationship." State v.
Terry, 218 N.J. 224, 233 (2014) (quoting State v. Szemple, 135 N.J. 406, 414
(1994)). Nonetheless, the marital communications privilege, like other
privileges, is generally construed narrowly because it can shield relevant
evidence from factfinder review and, thus, undermine the search for the truth.
Id. at 239.
A-2640-17T4
34
The crime-fraud exception to the marital communications privilege,
N.J.R.E. 509(2)(e), was adopted on November 9, 2015, based upon a recognition
that the privilege was not meant to protect the planning or commission of crimes.
Id. at 239-40; N.J.R.E. 509(2)(e). It provides that there is no marital privilege
"in a criminal action or proceeding if the communication relates to an ongoing
or future crime or fraud in which the spouses or partners were or are joint
participants at the time of the communication." N.J.R.E. 509(2)(e). Notably,
although our Supreme Court in Terry had urged the adoption of this exception,
it expressed no opinion as to whether it should be applied in cases where the
defendant spouses' wrongdoing preceded its adoption. Terry, 218 N.J. at 245-
46. The rule itself does not specify any time limitations. N.J.R.E. 509.
However, it is a well-settled principle that new rules "relating only to
modes of procedure and the conduct of trials, in which no one can be said to
have a vested right, apply if they are in effect at time of trial, regardless of when
the underlying crime was committed." Rose, 425 N.J. Super. at 468. New rules
addressing the admissibility of evidence are considered to be procedural in
nature and thus applicable if in effect at the time of trial. Ibid.
It is true that both the United States and New Jersey Constitutions disallow
the passing of ex post facto laws. Ibid. However, this prohibition exists "to
A-2640-17T4
35
guarantee that criminal statutes 'give fair warning of their effect and permit
individuals to rely on their meaning until explicitly changed.'" State v.
Muhammad, 145 N.J. 23, 56 (1996) (quoting Weaver v. Graham, 450 U.S. 24,
28-29 (1981)).
A statute violates this ban if it "either (1) punish[es] as a crime an act
previously committed, which was innocent when done; (2) make[s] more
burdensome the punishment for a crime, after its commission; or (3) deprive[s]
a defendant of any defense available according to the law at the time when the
crime was committed." Rose, 425 N.J. Super. at 468 (quoting Muhammad, 145
N.J. at 56). There is no ex post facto violation "if the change in the law is merely
procedural and does not increase the punishment, nor change the ingredients of
the offense or the ultimate facts necessary to establish guilt.'" Id. at 468-69
(quoting State v. Natale, 184 N.J. 458, 491 (2005)).
New rules of evidence generally do not violate the ex post facto clause.
Id. at 469. It is only when a law lowers the quantum of proof necessary to obtain
a conviction that the clause is implicated. Ibid.; accord State v. Sanchez-
Medina, 231 N.J. 452, 467 (2018) ("new rules of evidence that do not lower the
level of proof needed to convict a defendant generally apply at trial, even if they
are adopted after the commission of a crime but before trial").
A-2640-17T4
36
Bailey's objection must fail because the long-standing doctrine is intended
to protect the marital privilege, not the planning or commission of crimes. The
marital privilege has always been subject to narrow construction, and the crime
fraud exception in no way lowered the quantum of evidence needed to convict
her.
Bailey also contends that the exchange did not satisfy the crime frau d
exception because it lacked specificity as to future joint criminal enterprise. We
disagree because the exchanges reflected Bailey's concern about her role in the
context of the ongoing investigation into the still operational drug organization
and the potential effect it would have on the balance of her life. Nonetheless, it
is noteworthy that Bailey was acquitted of conspiracy. It cannot fairly be said
that she was prejudiced by the admission of the texts. The State's factual basis
for the convictions was Bailey's review of LEAA records and communication to
Edwin regarding the forthcoming raid, based on information she received on the
job.
B.
Bailey also contends that the judge erred in allowing the prosecutor to
question her regarding the arson of her car as violating the principles found in
State v. Cofield, 127 N.J. 328, 338 (1992), and her Fifth Amendment right
A-2640-17T4
37
against self-incrimination, U.S. Const. amend V, § 2. The information regarding
Bailey setting fire to the car that Edwin used was obtained from their text
message exchanges. The State indicated it would only use those texts if Bailey
opened the door while testifying. The judge instructed the prosecutor to renew
any objection later during the testimony, but that he would not rule in advance.
When Bailey made statements to police, she said she wanted to end her
relationship with Edwin, tell her supervisor about domestic violence in her
home, and that Edwin was assaulting her—but she had not done so. When asked
on direct if there was physical violence in her relationship with Edwin, she
claimed he had shot her in the leg, a grazing wound, that there was ongoing
violence in the home, that she had told her supervisor that she needed a
restraining order, and that he had told her "[you have] a gun, use it."
On cross-examination, Bailey acknowledged that when interviewed by
police she denied having reported the domestic violence to her supervisor. She
continued to insist that she had been a victim and denied she was the aggressor.
When the prosecutor asked her what she had done to Edwin's car, Bailey's
attorney immediately requested a sidebar and argued that the admissibility of
those statements should have been the subject of a Cofield hearing. The court
agreed with the prosecutor that the door had been opened by the defense.
A-2640-17T4
38
Bailey then acknowledged that she set fire to a car she insisted was her
own, although used by Edwin, that she did so because she did not want him to
compromise her by using the car for illegal purposes, and that she had also
threatened to set fire to a van Edwin drove. On re-cross, Bailey admitted the car
she set on fire was registered to another person. She denied setting the fire
because she knew of the ongoing wiretap.
Bailey's attorney then moved for a mistrial, contending that Bailey should
have been advised of her Fifth Amendment rights before she was questioned
regarding uncharged crimes in front of the jury. The trial court denied defense
counsel's motion ruling that:
As to the application [for] a mistrial, the standard
is whether there is a manifest denial of justice with
reference to the way the case proceeded. I do not find
that there was a manifest injustice that occurred.
Counsel for [Bailey] was aware of the fact that
there w[ere] representations that certain messages
would not be used unless the door was opened, if you
will, to the domestic violence issue. That was clearly
opened by the defense in the direct testimony of
[Bailey]. I . . . didn't allow, I think too far down the
road [sic], but I did allow questions, because there
w[ere] additional questions that [the prosecutor]
wanted to ask that I sustained an objection when she
wanted to actually introduce the text messages
themselves [sic]. But as to the way the question was
asked and the answer was given, I don't find a manifest
denial of justice.
A-2640-17T4
39
During Bailey's motion for a new trial, Bailey's attorney raised several
meritless arguments as to this testimony, including that not only was she denied
a fair trial because the matter was not subjected to a hearing pursuant to N.J.R.E.
403 and N.J.R.E. 404(b), the jury was not provided a proper limiting instruction.
The prosecutor reiterated that Bailey opened the door, that N.J.R.E. 404(b) was
not implicated and that the testimony was not unduly prejudicial.
The trial court found that the arson evidence was properly admitted under
the "opening the door" doctrine described in State v. James, 144 N.J. 538 (1996),
explaining:
The Court agrees the evidence of arson would be
inadmissible but for [Bailey's] contention that she was
the victim of an abusive relationship.
The testimony implied her judgment and volition
were compromised by her abusive husband. This is
significant considering the charged offense required
that [Bailey] acted knowingly.
Accordingly, the state . . . of her past marriage
becomes material and the State was justified for
impeaching her credibility and directly contradicting
her claim.
The [prosecutor's] use of the evidence was
clearly intended only to rebut the battered woman
syndrome claim which implied she did not act with the
appropriate mens rea with respect to the official
misconduct offense.
A-2640-17T4
40
Furthermore, it was presented within the
appropriate scope during cross-examination as opposed
to the [p]rosecutor's case-in-chief.
The use of the evidence fits squarely into the type
contemplated by the James Court. [Bailey] cannot
present selective pieces of evidence of her state of
marriage while precluding the State from arguing the
proper context for considering the evidence.
The fact that it prejudiced the defendant is not in
and or itself grounds for relief because its probative
value carried sufficient weight.
As a result the court finds the introduction of the
evidence . . . regarding the burned vehicle did not
violate Rule of Evidence 403.
The trial court then went on to perform an N.J.R.E. 404(b) analysis.
Specifically, it found that: (1) the arson evidence was relevant; (2) evidence of
Bailey's mental state was not required to be similar in kind to the offense
charged; (3) Bailey setting fire to the car used by her husband was established
by her own text messages; and (4) the prosecutor used this evidence solely to
attack her claim of being victimized by her husband and, therefore, it was not
unduly "inflammatory as it was a clear attack on [Bailey's] credibility and no
implication was made as to the propensity for committing crimes." In sum, the
court was satisfied that there was no "reasonable doubt that the presentation of
A-2640-17T4
41
the evidence may have led the jury to reach a conclusion it would not have
otherwise come to."
Bailey's argument is two-fold—that the trial judge erred in admitting the
testimony and denying her motion for a new trial. We do not reverse decisions
denying motions for a new trial "unless it clearly appears that there was a
miscarriage of justice under the law." R. 2:10-1; see also State v. Carter, 91 N.J.
86, 96 (1982). We defer to the findings of the trial court with respect to
"intangible[s]" not transmitted by the record, but otherwise make our own
independent determination of whether justice was served. Dolson v. Anastasia,
55 N.J. 2, 6-8 (1969).
The doctrine of "opening the door" is a "rule of expanded relevancy"
whereby irrelevant or inadmissible evidence may sometimes be admitted if the
"opposing party has made unfair prejudicial use of related evidence." James,
144 N.J. at 554. In criminal cases, the doctrine "operates to prevent a defendant
from successfully excluding from the prosecution's case-in-chief inadmissible
evidence and then selectively introducing pieces of this evidence for the
defendant's own advantage, without allowing the prosecution to place the
evidence in its proper context." Ibid. The doctrine is limited, though, by
N.J.R.E. 403, and evidence to which a defendant has "opened the door" may still
A-2640-17T4
42
be excluded if a court finds that its probative value is outweighed by the risk of
undue prejudice. Ibid.Pursuant to N.J.R.E. 404(b):
(1) . . . [E]vidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts is
not admissible to prove a person's disposition in order
to show that on a particular occasion the person acted
in conformity with such disposition.
(2) . . . This evidence may be admitted for other
purposes, such as proof of motive, opportunity, intent,
preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of
mistake or accident when such matters are relevant to a
material issue in dispute.
Our Supreme Court has clarified that such evidence may be admitted
provided it meets the following test:
1. The evidence of the other crime must be
admissible as relevant to a material issue;
2. It must be similar in kind and reasonably close in
time to the offense charged;
3. The evidence of the other crime must be clear and
convincing; and
4. The probative value of the evidence must not be
outweighed by its apparent prejudice.
[State v. Cofield, 127 N.J. 328, 338 (1992).]
This analysis is intended to reduce the underlying danger that the jury may
convict a defendant because he or she is "a 'bad' person in general." Id. at 336
A-2640-17T4
43
(quoting State v. Gibbons, 105 N.J. 67, 77 (1987)); accord State v. Reddish, 181
N.J. 553, 608 (2004); State v. Koskovich, 168 N.J. 448, 482 (2001). Notably,
"[t]emporality and similarity of conduct is not always applicable, and thus not
required in all cases." State v. Rose, 206 N.J. 141, 160 (2011); State v. Williams,
190 N.J. 114, 131-32 (2007).
When other-crime evidence is admitted for a particular purpose, the court
must instruct the jury on the limited use of the evidence. Cofield, 127 N.J. at
340-41. This instruction must "clarify for the jury the narrow distinction
between the permissible and impermissible uses of the other-crime
evidence . . . ." Id. at 341 (quoting State v. Stevens, 115 N.J. 289, 308-09
(1989)); accord State v. Gillispie, 208 N.J. 59, 92-93 (2011); Williams, 190 N.J.
at 133-34.
The decision to admit or exclude other crimes or wrongs evidence rests
within the trial court's sound discretion and will only be reversed upon an abuse
of that discretion. Gillispie, 208 N.J. at 84. Where, however, a trial court has
improperly applied or failed to apply the Cofield analysis, an appellate court's
review is de novo. Rose, 206 N.J. at 158; State v. Darby, 174 N.J. 509, 518
(2002).
A-2640-17T4
44
In Bailey's statements to police as well as her direct testimony, Bailey
attempted to portray herself as a victim of an abusive relationship to excuse her
conduct and excuse alleged acts of official misconduct and her alleged
participation in the conspiracy to distribute drugs. It is therefore clear that the
arson evidence properly challenged the credibility of her statements and was not
unduly prejudicial.
The issue of Bailey's Fifth Amendment rights was not raised pre-trial,
even though defense counsel was well aware that the arson might be admitted if
Bailey opened the door. There is no legitimate basis for Bailey to now raise the
claim. See N.J.R.E. 502; State v. Patton, 133 N.J. 389, 396 (1993) (holding the
privilege is implicated when information is compelled); State v. McGraw, 129
N.J. 68, 77 (1992). There was no indication in the trial record, prior to the trial
or during the proceeding that the State intended to prosecute Bailey for setting
fire to the car. Thus, having opened the door, she was properly questioned
regarding the arson.
A-2640-17T4
45
C.
As we have said, the factual basis for the allegations of official misconduct
were in count seventy-two that Bailey improperly accessed the LEAA database,
and in count seventy-three, that she committed misconduct by conveying
information from an October 23, 2014 intelligence briefing to her husband.
When the issue was argued pre-trial, the judge said that the argument could be
made that Bailey did not derive a benefit from her action—or that she did. She
acknowledged that her actions were improper to police. As the judge said,
"[w]hether her motivation was a personal motivation to check up on her
husband, which is what she had indicated, or whether her purpose was to help
her husband in furtherance of the criminal dispute was a question of fact for the
jury."
A public servant is guilty of official misconduct when, "with purpose to
obtain a benefit for himself or another," he "commits an act relating to his office
but constituting an unauthorized exercise of his official functions, knowing that
such act is unauthorized or he is committing such act in an unauthorized
manner." N.J.S.A. 2C:30-2(a). Importantly, a defendant need not actually gain
a benefit in order to be convicted of official misconduct; rather the defendant
A-2640-17T4
46
must simply act "with purpose to obtain a benefit for himself." State v.
Saavedra, 222 N.J. 39, 60 (2015).
A "benefit" is a "gain or advantage, or anything regarded by the
beneficiary as gain or advantage, including a pecuniary benefit or a benefit to
any other person or entity in whose welfare he is interested." N.J.S.A. 2C:27 -
1(a). A benefit is a positive inducement and includes not only pecuniary
consideration but any reward. State v. Scirrotto, 115 N.J. 38, 46, 49 (1989).
The benefit sought or obtained by the defendant may be the indirect result of his
or her actions. State v. Schenkolewski, 301 N.J. Super. 115, 139-40 (App. Div.
1997).
It is not necessary that the defendant's activity be criminal under another
section of the Code in order to constitute the crime of official misconduct under
N.J.S.A. 2C:30-2. State v. Parker, 124 N.J. 628, 640 (1991). Where the
violation of official duty is by engaging in criminal activity, the defendant may
be convicted of misconduct even if he is acquitted of the underlying crime. Ibid.Bailey now contends that as to count seventy-two the State proved only
that she committed an administrative violation because she was permitted to
access the LEAA database, the reports she accessed did not reveal pending
police actions or reference ongoing investigations, and the State did not establish
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any use that she made with the information that she obtained. She further
contends as to count seventy-three that the State could not have proven she was
guilty of official misconduct because the information was given at a phony
briefing, and was therefore not capable of placing another officer in danger nor
was it confidential, and that the information, which she relayed to Edwin in the
heat of an argument, did not benefit anyone.
These arguments ignore the reality that even if the State was not able to
prove a concrete benefit, the State did prove that Bailey's intent was to secure
such a benefit, whether to protect her husband or otherwise. See State v. Moffa,
42 N.J. 258, 263 (1964) (for purposes of a motion for judgment of acquittal, the
State must be given the benefit of all favorable inferences that could reasonably
be drawn from the evidence). The State is not required to prove that Bailey
actually obtained a specific concrete benefit. Saavedra, 222 N.J. at 60. In this
case, monitoring her husband and his associates' activities, and tipping him off
when she believed a raid was about to occur, sufficed. Thus, the court did not
err in denying her motion for judgment of acquittal.
D.
Bailey also contends that the charge the judge gave, which tracked the
model jury charge, was improper. She asserts the judge erred because he told
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the jury that she could be convicted if it found she acted to benefit herself or
another.
Reading the charge as a whole, it is clear that the drug organization
qualified as a potential beneficiary as an extension of Bailey, given her personal
interest in its success and involvement with her husband. The only "other"
beneficiary identified from the court was the drug organization. Thus, the
court's model jury charge was not an improper expansion of the indictment, nor
did it create the possibility of an unjust result. Having failed to establish such
an outcome, given her failure to object to the charge before the trial judge, this
point must also fail. See R. 2:10-2; Torres, 183 N.J. at 564.
E.
Finally, Bailey contends the sentence was excessive. The judge found
aggravating factors three, N.J.S.A. 2C:44-1(a)(3), the risk Bailey would
reoffend; breach of the public trust, aggravating factor four, N.J.S.A. 2C:44-
1(a)(4); and the need for deterrence, N.J.S.A. 2C:44-1(a)(9).
The court explained his finding of aggravating factor three because the
conduct here was not an isolated incident, but "an ongoing episode . . . . " He
further found aggravating factor four, stating it was not double-counting,
because finding that factor recognized the Legislature's concern that elevated
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the conduct to one requiring a separate aggravating factor. He found
aggravating factor nine because a person who takes an oath and becomes
involved in law enforcement has a particular obligation to comply with the law.
This is especially true in narcotics investigations where misuse of information
poses a serious danger to other officers.
The court did find two mitigating factors, Bailey's lack of a prior record,
N.J.S.A. 2C:44-1(b)(7), and undue hardship to her family, N.J.S.A. 2C:44-
1(b)(11). The court, assigning limited weight to mitigating factor eleven, found
on a qualitative and quantitative basis that the aggravating factors outweighed
the mitigating.
The evidence the court relied upon in reaching its findings of aggravating
and mitigating factors was clearly substantiated by the record. The sentence
does not shock the judicial conscience. Fuentes, 217 N.J. at 70; O'Donnell, 117
N.J. at 215-16; Jarbath, 114 N.J. at 401. We do not substitute our judgment for
that of the trial court. Cassidy, 198 N.J. at 180; O'Donnell, 117 N.J. at 215;
Roth, 95 N.J. at 365. Bailey argues that aggravating factor three should not have
been found—however, it cannot be disputed that this was not an isolated
instance. Given Bailey's role as a police officer, and her decision to participate
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in these activities, it was reasonable for the judge to have concluded she was at
risk of reoffense.
With regard to aggravating factor four, we do not agree that this was a
mechanistic application of the factor. A police officer is not just a public
servant; the public relies on his or her good conduct and reposes significant
public trust in him or her. Thus, we think that the findings were warranted. This
was not an excessive sentence.
Affirmed.
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