State of Vermont v. Angela M. Auclair ( 2020 )

ENTRY ORDER
2020 VT 26
SUPREME COURT DOCKET NO. 2020-054
FEBRUARY TERM, 2020
State of Vermont } APPEALED FROM:
}
}
v. } Superior Court, Chittenden Unit,
} Criminal Division
Angela M. Auclair }
} DOCKET NO. 4288-12-19 Cncr
}
Trial Judge: A. Gregory Rainville
In the above-entitled cause, the Clerk will enter:
¶ 1. Defendant appeals the trial court’s decision to hold her without bail. She argues
that although she is eligible to be held without bail under 13 V.S.A. § 7553, the trial court should
have exercised its discretion to release her on bail. We conclude there was no abuse of discretion,
and therefore affirm.
¶ 2. Defendant was charged with aiding in the commission of first-degree murder and
obstruction of justice. Specifically, with regard to the first-degree murder charge, the information
alleges that defendant knowingly participated in a common plan with her son to steal a firearm,
knowing that her son would use the firearm to unlawfully kill her husband, David Auclair. That
charge carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
¶ 3. The State moved to hold defendant without bail pursuant to 13 V.S.A. § 7553.
Section 7553 permits the court to hold a defendant without bail when the defendant is “charged
with an offense punishable by life imprisonment” and “the evidence of guilt is great.” This Court
has held that to determine whether the evidence of guilt is great, “the trial court applies the standard
of proof articulated in Rule 12(d) of the Vermont Rules of Criminal Procedure.” State v. Orost,
2017 VT 110, ¶ 6, 206 Vt. 657, 179 A.3d 763 (mem.). If these requirements are met, a presumption
against release arises. See State v. Ford, 2015 VT 127, ¶ 10, 200 Vt. 650, 130 A.3d 862 (mem.)
(“A presumption against release arises if substantial, admissible evidence, taken in the light most
favorable to the State and excluding modifying evidence, can fairly and reasonably show defendant
guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.” (quotation omitted)). “The trial court then must exercise its
discretion in determining whether or not to impose bail and conditions of release.” State v.
Avgoustov, 2006 VT 90, ¶ 2, 180 Vt. 595, 907 A.2d 1185 (mem.). In doing so, it may look to the
factors listed in 13 V.S.A. § 7554(b). Ford, 2015 VT 127, ¶ 10.
¶ 4. The court held a weight-of-the-evidence hearing on December 23, 2019 and
January 14, 2020. Following the hearing, defendant filed a post-hearing memorandum. She did
not dispute that “the evidence of guilt [was] great” for the purposes of 13 V.S.A. § 7553. Instead,
she argued that the court should exercise its discretion to return her to the community under the
factors listed in 13 V.S.A. § 7554(b).
¶ 5. The court found that the evidence of guilt was great and declined to release
defendant because it found that several factors weighed against a discretionary grant of release. It
relied most heavily on two findings. First, it found that defendant’s mother—whom defendant had
presented as a responsible adult who could oversee defendant’s activities if she was released—was
not fit for that role. Second, it found that defendant would not abide by any set of court-imposed
conditions, based on evidence that she had repeatedly contacted an individual via telephone and
email despite a condition prohibiting her from doing so. The trial court noted several other factors
suggesting that defendant was a risk of flight, and found that defendant posed a potential danger
to certain individuals if released. It therefore granted the State’s motion to hold without bail.
Defendant appealed.
¶ 6. We review the trial court’s denial of discretionary bail for an abuse of discretion.
Ford, 2015 VT 127, ¶ 8. “In exercising its discretion to release a defendant, the trial court may
look to the factors listed in § 7554 . . . .” Id. ¶ 10. Those factors include:
the nature and circumstance of the offense charged; the weight of
the evidence against the accused; and the accused’s family ties,
employment, character and mental condition, length of residence in
the community, record of convictions, and record of appearance at
court proceedings or of flight to avoid prosecution or failure to
appear at court proceedings. Recent history of actual violence or
threats of violence may be considered by the judicial officer as
bearing on the character and mental condition of the accused.
13 V.S.A. § 7554(b)(2). “Thus, the trial court’s discretion is broad, but the bail decision cannot
be arbitrary.” Ford, 2015 VT 127, ¶ 10 (citing Avgoustov, 2006 VT 90, ¶ 2). Because the court
found great evidence of guilt in its § 7553 analysis, the “presumption is against release” and the
burden is on the defendant to overcome that presumption. Id. ¶ 11.
¶ 7. Defendant argues that the trial court abused its discretion in several ways. She
asserts that the court abused its discretion in: (1) concluding that she was a risk of flight; (2) relying
on her violations of the court’s order not to contact certain individuals; (3) concluding that
defendant’s mother could not serve as a responsible adult; (4) ignoring the weakness of the case
against defendant; (5) ignoring several other factors listed in 13 V.S.A. § 7554(b) that were raised
in her memorandum; and (6) concluding that she posed a danger to several individuals if released.
We address each contention in turn.
¶ 8. Defendant first argues that the trial court abused its discretion in relying on the
nature of the charges against her as a factor suggesting a risk of flight. Defendant emphasizes that
she “was aware that she was facing a murder charge for five months between the time of her initial
police contact and the date of her arrest.” She remained in the community during this period even
though, very early in the process, a detective told her, “I can’t wait to arrest you.” Under these
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circumstances, defendant asserts, “the [c]ourt’s conclusion that the filing of charges suddenly
made her a risk of flight is unsupported and highly speculative.”
¶ 9. We conclude that the trial court’s statements regarding the flight risk were
reasonably supported. The trial court recognized that defendant had remained in the community
during the investigation. However, it noted that the circumstances had changed after she was
charged with a crime carrying a life sentence, for which the court found great evidence of guilt,
creating an impetus for flight not present before her arrest. The court also found that defendant’s
ties to Vermont are “more tenuous than she represents,” because she indicated at various times a
desire to move to Pennsylvania and Florida. To the extent the trial court relied on these findings,
it did not abuse its discretion.
¶ 10. Defendant next argues that the trial court abused its discretion in relying on
defendant’s violations of the court’s order not to contact certain individuals. She asserts that those
violations do not demonstrate that she would be either a danger to the community or a risk of flight.
She also argues that the violations are not yet proven and rely on speculation.
¶ 11. The violations relate to defendant’s continued contact with a person named John
Turner. At arraignment on December 11, 2019, the court ordered defendant held without bail and
imposed a requirement that defendant have no contact with several individuals related to the case,
including Turner. Nevertheless, the court found, “from December 16-30, 2019, phone records
show at least 40 calls from defendant to Mr. Turner; these calls were made to [defendant’s
mother’s] home, referring to Turner by the pseudonym ‘Tim George.’ ” Defendant’s mother
admitted that at least some of these conversations took place. In addition, after the January hearing,
the State filed affidavits from a detective and correctional employee describing defendant’s email
contact with a “new, non-existent male, ‘Ted George.’ ” The “Ted George” email account is
registered to defendant’s address, and investigators believe that the email account belongs to John
Turner. Regardless of whether the violations have been proven in a separate proceeding, the trial
court was within its discretion in relying on the evidence before it, including phone records, sworn
affidavits, and the testimony of defendant’s mother.
¶ 12. The trial court found that defendant’s violations of the no-contact requirement
demonstrate defendant’s “willingness to engage in deceptive behavior designed to circumvent this
court’s orders, and . . . lead ineluctably to the conclusion that she will not abide by any conditions
of release.” Defendant’s willingness to comply with conditions of release is a factor that a court
may consider in determining whether to release a defendant who is subject to being held without
bail under § 7553. See, e.g., Orost, 2017 VT 110, ¶ 11 (holding court was within its discretion to
consider violations of outstanding protective orders); State v. Henault, 2017 VT 19, ¶ 5, 204 Vt.
628, 167 A.3d 892 (mem.) (holding court was within its discretion to consider violations of terms
of home detention). The court did not abuse its discretion in doing so here.
¶ 13. Third, defendant argues that the trial court abused its discretion in finding that her
mother was not an acceptable responsible adult. She points out several facts that support her
mother’s ability to serve in this role: for instance, she has a residence available that would keep
defendant away from others, she is home all the time, and she indicated a willingness to report any
violation by defendant. Defendant also asserts that her mother “assisted the police in their effort
to investigate” the issue of whether defendant was violating the no-contact condition.
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¶ 14. We find no abuse of discretion. The trial court’s decision that defendant’s mother
was not suited to serve as a responsible adult was supported by admissible evidence, much of it
uncontested by defendant. The court found that defendant’s mother showed little ability to control
what occurs at her home and on her property, including not knowing that stolen items were present
in her backyard. It found that she was uncertain about the number and identity of individuals living
in her home. And it found that defendant’s mother had helped facilitate defendant’s contact with
Turner, despite knowing that they were not supposed to communicate. Contrary to defendant’s
arguments on appeal, this finding was supported by the evidence: defendant’s mother testified that
she was aware Turner was using a false name to communicate with defendant from her home, that
she permitted Turner to be present while she was on the phone with defendant, and that she never
reported the conversations to the police.
¶ 15. Fourth, defendant contends that the trial court ignored the weakness of the State’s
case, which should have been considered as a factor in her favor. She argues that the State’s case
was weak because “the only direct evidence connecting [defendant] to the shooting” was the
testimony of one witness, and that testimony was “highly suspect” due to potential bias and
inconsistencies in the witness’s story. The credibility of this witness, she argues, should have been
considered by the court because one of the factors under § 7554(b) is “the weight of the evidence
against the accused.” 13 V.S.A. § 7554(b).
¶ 16. In the context of a § 7553 weight-of-the-evidence hearing, the phrase “weight of
the evidence” generally refers to whether, under a Rule 12(d) standard, the State has put forward
enough evidence of guilt to establish a presumption against release. See Orost, 2017 VT 110, ¶ 5
(describing Rule 12(d) standard). When the weight of the evidence is “great,” meaning it satisfies
a Rule 12(d) standard, the presumption guiding the second step of the analysis—applying the
§ 7554(b) factors—flips, and the burden shifts to the defendant to persuade the court to exercise
its discretion to set bail or conditions of release. Orost, 2017 VT 110, ¶ 6. In that sense, the court’s
analysis of the § 7554(b) factor relating to the “weight of the evidence against the accused” is
contained within its § 7553 finding that the evidence of guilt is great. State v. Rondeau, 2017 VT
21, ¶ 13, 204 Vt. 625, 167 A.3d 332 (mem.).
¶ 17. Defendant argues that the trial court failed to properly assess “the weight of the
evidence” under § 7554(b) in a different sense: she contends that the court failed to consider the
weakness of the State’s case as a factor favoring bail or release on conditions. Had it done so,
defendant argues, it would have determined that the State’s main witness is not credible, that its
case against defendant is accordingly weak, and that, as a result, the court should not order
defendant held without bail.
¶ 18. In the context of a § 7554(b) analysis, the weight-of-the-evidence factor can also
refer to the relative strength of the State’s case against the defendant. See, e.g., State v. Hasham,
No. 2004-238, 2004 WL 5582085 *2 (Vt. May 2004) (unpub. mem.), https://www.
vermontjudiciary.org/sites/default/files/documents/eo04238.pdf [https://perma.cc/ZEK6-3QJ3]
(citing court’s conclusion that evidence against defendant was “not overwhelming” as factor
supporting reduction of bail). In this context, the trial court is not bound to the Rule 12(d) standard,
and could consider the credibility of the State’s witnesses and modifying evidence in exercising
its discretion. See Henault, 2017 VT 19, ¶ 7 (holding that analysis of weight of evidence under
§ 7554(b) is subject to “trial court’s broad discretion”).
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¶ 19. In this case we conclude that the trial court did not abuse its broad discretion in
failing to determine that the State’s case was weak and that defendant should be released on bail
or conditions as a result. In considering whether to grant discretionary bail, the trial court is not
required to discount witnesses’ testimony based on credibility. See Orost, 2017 VT 110, ¶ 11
(affirming discretionary denial of bail where court “accept[ed] the allegations [against defendant]
as true”). Moreover, the State’s case is not based solely on one witness’s testimony, but also relies
heavily on phone records that appear to support a conclusion that defendant orchestrated the
burglary whereby her son acquired the murder weapon. In addition, the State presented evidence
that defendant made misleading statements to police officers. Given this record, the trial court did
not abuse its discretion by failing to assess the credibility of the State’s witness; failing to conclude
that the State’s case, while sufficient under a Rule 12(d) standard, is weak; and failing to conclude
that this factor tips the balance against a hold-without-bail order.
¶ 20. Fifth, defendant contends that the trial court ignored several other § 7554(b) factors
that weighed in her favor. Specifically, she points out that she lacks a serious criminal record,
does not have a history of missing court dates, has always worked and supported herself, owns a
home, and has never been known personally to be violent.
¶ 21. The court was not required to explicitly consider each of these factors. Although it
may be best practice to do so, “under § 7553 the presumption is against release and there is no
requirement that a court consider all of the factors listed in § 7554 when exercising its discretion.”
Ford, 2015 VT 127, ¶ 11; see also Henault, 2017 VT 19, ¶ 8 (holding that “a trial court may look
at the § 7554(b) factors when deciding whether to grant a defendant bail,” but that “the language
of § 7554(b) that requires consideration of each factor in determining conditions of release is not
applicable”). Here, the trial court made clear that its decision was based primarily on two factors,
which it found to be controlling: the lack of an acceptable responsible adult who could supervise
defendant, and the court’s finding that defendant would not abide by any conditions of release.
“While the trial court could have provided a more detailed analysis of the 13 V.S.A. § 7554(b)
factors, its discussion of the multiple significant factors that were central to its analysis was
sufficient in this case . . . .” Orost, 2017 VT 110, ¶ 11.
¶ 22. Finally, defendant argues that the trial court abused its discretion in relying on
testimony from two witnesses that they feared her. She argues that under State v. Suave, fear of
contact itself is insufficient to deny bail. 159 Vt. 566, 574, 621 A.2d 1296, 1301 (1993). She also
points to our holding in State v. Lontine for the proposition that to establish a potential threat to
others under 13 V.S.A. § 7553a, the State must meet a clear-and-convincing standard of proof, and
argues that the clear-and-convincing standard cannot be met in this case. 2016 VT 26, ¶¶ 45-46,
201 Vt. 637, 142 A.3d 1058 (mem.).
¶ 23. We first note that the legal standard applicable to this case is different than those
applied in Suave and Lontine. Suave involved § 7575, which allows a judicial officer to revoke
the right to bail entirely upon making specific findings. Two of the findings that can support a
revocation of bail are that the accused has “intimidated or harassed a victim, potential witness,
juror, or judicial officer in violation of a condition of release” or “violated a condition or conditions
of release that constitute a threat to the integrity of the judicial system.” 13 V.S.A. § 7575(1), (3).
In Suave, we determined that neither condition was met where a witness was merely “in danger of
contact by the defendant.” 159 Vt. at 574, 621 A.2d at 1301. Lontine was decided under § 7553a,
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which applies to crimes involving acts of violence. Under that statute, a court is permitted to hold
a defendant without bail where, among other things, the State can show by clear and convincing
evidence that the defendant poses a threat of physical violence to any person. 13 V.S.A. § 7553a.
In that case, we noted that the standard imposed by the statute was “not an easy one for the State
to sustain,” because it requires the State to “prove that a set of facts exists as to future events.”
2016 VT 26, ¶ 46. In both Suave and Lontine, the burden was on the State to overcome the usual
presumption in favor of release. See id. ¶ 45 (noting that § 7553a is “exception” to general rule
and that State has burden to prove factors permitting denial of bail); Suave, 159 Vt. at 573, 621
A.2d at 1300-01 (“Our constitutional values require that liberty is and must remain the norm and
detention prior to trial or without trial is the carefully limited exception.” (quotation omitted)).
¶ 24. In this case, in contrast, the burden is on defendant to persuade the court that
discretionary release is warranted. Defendant has conceded that the State has met its burden under
the § 7553 weight-of-the-evidence standard, and therefore “the presumption is switched so that the
norm is incarceration and not release.” Orost, 2017 VT 110 ¶ 6; see also Ford, 2015 VT 127, ¶ 11
(holding that court was within its discretion to rely on “serious nature of the charges” in
considering whether to deny bail). Here, defendant did not offer evidence sufficient to persuade
the court that any conditions of release would protect the public. See Ford, 2015 VT 127, ¶ 13
(noting burden of proof and affirming where defendant did not demonstrate home detention would
adequately protect public).
Affirmed.
BY THE COURT:
Beth Robinson, Associate Justice
Karen R. Carroll, Associate Justice
William D. Cohen, Associate Justice
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