In a well-reasoned decision, the Connecticut Supreme Court, in the case of State of Connecticut v. Ferdinand R., upheld the sexual assault conviction of the defendant. The defendant had been found guilty by a jury of violation Connecticut General Statute Section 53a-70b which addresses the sexual assault of a spouse. The defendant appealed his conviction and argued that the trial court improperly instructed the jury that the state only had to prove a “general intent” to violate the statute in order to gain a conviction. The defendant argued that, because the allegations giving rise to his arrest involved his spouse, the state should have to prove “specific intent” to violate the statute- a much more challenging standard. The Supreme Court ruled that proof of “general intent” is all that is required to obtain a conviction. It upheld the twenty year jail sentence for this sexual predator.
If you would like a Free Consultation concerning a Sexual Assault Claim, please contact us directly: http://www.