Sex Crimes
Commonwealth v. S.W. – Brockton District Court
SEX FOR A FEE: DISMISSED
Client, 43-year-old computer engineer with no criminal record, was arrested and charged with Sexual Conduct for Fee stemming from an undercover vice operation in which the Defendant agreed to solicit sexual services from an undercover police officer. After six months of negotiation with the District Attorney’s Office, Attorney Patrick J. Noonan solidified an agreement with the Commonwealth to place the Defendant on pretrial probation for one-year, a considerable win because a conviction would have resulted in automatic termination from employment. Defendant is married with three children. He works as a top-ranked system’s specialist for the Department of Interior, a federal agency. The job requires certain government clearances.
Result: Attorney Patrick J. Noonan persuades the Commonwealth to place his client on pretrial probation for one-year at the conclusion of which the criminal charge will be dismissed, saving his client’s job because a continuance without a finding (CWOF) would have resulted in client’s termination from employment.
Commonwealth v. W.B. – Wareham District Court
INDECENT EXPOSURE: DISMISSED
Client, 50-year-old warehouse supervisor, was charged with Indecent Exposure. An identified caller contacted the police to report a naked male party exposing himself while swimming in Charge Pond. The caller stated that the naked male party was flipping around in the water and putting on show for the other pond-goers. When the police officer arrived, he observed the Defendant’s genitals exposed, as he was lying on a floating chair in the water. At the arraignment, Attorney Patrick J. Noonan argued a Motion to Dismiss due to insufficient probable cause in the police report. Specifically, Attorney Noonan argued that none of the onlookers were “offended” by the Defendant’s exposure, which is a required element of the offense. Although the court denied Attorney Noonan’s Motion to Dismiss, the court acknowledged some of Attorney Noonan’s arguments and, as a result, recommended dismissing the charge upon the payment of nominal court costs.
Result: Attorney Patrick J. Noonan gets criminal charge dismissed on court costs at first court appearance.
Commonwealth v. S.K. – Brockton District Court
INDECENT EXPOSURE: DISMISSED at CLERK’S HEARING
Client, 43-year-old car salesman, was charged with Indecent Exposure stemming from an incident in which his neighbors reported that they observed him standing naked in front of his apartment window for an extended period of time. At the Magistrate’s Hearing, Attorney Patrick J. Noonan cross-examined the neighbor-witnesses and established that each witness did not observe the Defendant’s genitals exposed. The charge was dismissed on the grounds that there was insufficient probable cause to support the criminal complaint.
Result: Attorney Patrick J. Noonan persuades Clerk-Magistrate not to issue criminal complaint due to lack of evidence.
Commonwealth v. B.P. – Brockton Superior Court
RAPE OF CHILD: NOT GUILTY
RAPE OF CHILD: NOT GUILTY
RAPE OF CHILD: NOT GUILTY
RAPE OF CHILD: NOT GUILTY
INDECENT ASSAULT & BATTERY ON CHILD: NOT GUILTY
INDECENT ASSAULT & BATTERY ON CHILD: NOT GUILTY
INDECENT ASSAULT & BATTERY ON CHILD: NOT GUILTY
INDECENT ASSAULT & BATTERY ON CHILD: NOT GUILTY
DISSEMINATION OF HARMFUL MATTER: NOT GUILTY
DISSEMINATION OF HARMFUL MATTER: NOT GUILTY
Client, Marine Corps. Veteran, was charged with 11 indictments (life felonies) stemming from allegations that he forcibly raped and sexually abused the son of his ex-girlfriend. The alleged victim claimed that the Defendant started sexually abusing him at age 5 and ending when he was age 11-12. The alleged victim claimed that the Defendant forcibly raped him and had anal intercourse with the alleged victim on multiple occasions. The alleged victim claimed that the Defendant forced him to perform oral sex on the Defendant and vice versa. The alleged victim claimed that the Defendant showed him pornographic magazine and videos of adults having sex with children. On April 28, 2010, Attorney Gerald J. Noonan successfully argued a Motion to Dismiss all 11 Indictments, on the basis that the Commonwealth failed to disclose significant exculpatory evidence to the Grand Jury. The exculpatory evidence involved the alleged victim’s prior sexual conduct and his juvenile criminal convictions as a sex offender. The Commonwealth re-indicted the Defendant on all 11 indictments. At the trial, the Commonwealth sought to preclude the defense from introducing any evidence with regards to the alleged victim’s prior sexual conduct on the grounds that it violated the rape shield law. Attorney Patrick J. Noonan successfully argued that the alleged victim’s prior sexual conduct fell within an exception to the rape shield law in that the evidence was relevant to show the complainant’s bias, motive to lie, and motive to fabricate. In addition, Attorney Patrick J. Noonan convinced the judge to allow into evidence the alleged victim’s prior convictions as a sexual offender. At the trial, Attorney Gerald J. Noonan thoroughly discredited the alleged victim on the stand by showing that he accused the Defendant of rape to shine the light elsewhere and to avoid prosecution himself for committing sex offenses. Attorney Gerald J. Noonan presented evidence showing that the alleged victim was screened multiple times for sexual abuse prior to his disclosure and each time he denied being sexually abused by anyone. After a three-day trial in which the Defendant was represented by Gerald J. Noonan and Patrick J. Noonan, the jury found the Defendant Not Guilty on all 11 indictments.
Result: Attorney Gerald J. Noonan gets Not Guilty verdicts on all 11 indictments and saves his client from serving life in prison. “Man acquitted of child rape charges.”
Commonwealth v. R.M. – Brockton Superior Court
RAPE OF CHILD: NOT GUILTY
INDECENT ASSAULT and BATTERY: NOT GUILTY
Client, 44-year-old contractor, was accused of rape and indecent assault and battery by his 11 year-old niece. The alleged victim claimed that the Defendant had filmed her taking a shower with a camera from the outside bathroom window. The parents of the alleged suspected that it was the Defendant because they discovered a “peephole” in the wall that separates the Defendant’s bedroom from the alleged victim’s bedroom. Brockton Police inspected the peep hole, which was a drill hole that appeared to be strategically placed under a shelf in the victim’s room. The alleged victim stated that her uncle (Defendant) would grab her butt very often and that if happened so many times that she couldn’t guess how many. The alleged victim disclosed an incident in which she was sleeping on the couch with the Defendant. She stated that the Defendant rubbed her stomach, unbuttoned her pants, and put his finger inside her. At trial, Attorney Gerald J. Noonan thoroughly discredited the alleged victim. Attorney Noonan introduced exhibits and a diagram showing the layout of the small living room and the couch where the alleged rape occurred. At the time of the rape, the alleged victim stated that she had been sleeping on the same couch as her younger sister and her brother was sleeping on the floor beside the couch approximately five feet away. Attorney Noonan showed that the alleged victim’s sister and brother would have seen or heard the rape because they were literally a few feet away when it happened. The alleged victim’s trial testimony was different from her interview with police. She told police that the Defendant inserted one finger into her vagina. At the trial, the alleged victim testified that the Defendant inserted “five fingers” inside her vagina. Attorney Noonan argued that inserting five fingers into the vagina of an 11 year-old female weighing approximately 70-80 pounds would be painful causing the alleged victim to cry, yell or scream out in pain. Attorney Noonan exploited the absurdity of the alleged victim’s testimony that the Defendant inserted all five fingers into her vagina and proceeded to move all five fingers back and forth inside her vagina in a rubbing motion. Meanwhile, the alleged victim remained totally quiet and her siblings sleeping feet away never heard or saw anything. In addition, had these allegations been true, Attorney Noonan argued that there would be some physical or medical evidence to corroborate that the alleged victim had been digitally raped. To make things more unbelievable, after the rape, the alleged victim got up from the couch went to the bathroom, and returned to the couch where she slept for the rest of the night. Attorney Noonan established that all the family members were home and that the alleged victim passed her parent’s bedroom to and from the bathroom and decided not to disclose anything to them at that time. Attorney Noonan argued that it didn’t make any sense that a girl having been digitally raped for over two minutes with five fingers by a grown man would then decide to return back to the same couch and sleep beside the person who had just raped her. The jury only deliberated for about two hours and found the Defendant Not Guilty on all indictments.
Result: Attorney Gerald J. Noonan gets Not Guilty verdicts in Child Rape case saving his client from serving life in prison. “Brockton man found not guilty of charges of child rape, indecent assault.”
Commonwealth v. P.P. – Taunton District Court
INDECENT ASSAULT & BATTERY: REDUCED TO MISDEMEANOR
INDECENT ASSAULT & BATTERY: REDUCED TO MISDEMEANOR
Defendant’s 11-year-old biological daughter alleged that the defendant inappropriately touched her when she was 4 years-old. Defendant was being prosecuted in Barnstable County for Rape and Indecent Assault & Battery on his older daughter. She stated that her father touched her in the private area and it made her feel bad. She said this happened more than once. She stated that the Defendant “touched her crotch,” and that he touched her skin when her underwear was off. She said that it was painful when he touched her on the crotch. She said that it “stung and made her shake.” She said this happened about 10 times. Defendant’s wife told police that he was an alcoholic.
Result: Attorney Gerald J. Noonan got both felony sexual assault charges reduced to misdemeanor Assault & Battery saving his client from serving jail time and having to register as a sex offender.
Commonwealth v. F.T. – Quincy District Court
RAPE: NOLLE PROSEQUI
Randolph Police responded to the hospital for a reported rape. The patient claimed that she had been raped two days ago by a person she knew from her apartment building but she didn’t provide police with his name. She stated that the Defendant called her and convinced her to come to this apartment where he threw her onto his bed, grabbed her wrist, undid her pants, and vaginally raped her. During the rape, she had been screaming “No, No, No!” and kicking her legs. She was able to turn around onto her stomach at which time the Defendant raped her from behind. She stated that he then moved his mouth onto her vagina. He then shoved his penis into her face and told her to “suck it.” The victim showed police fresh bruises. A rape kit was performed at the hospital. 19 days after the alleged rape, the victim gave police the name of the perpetrator. Defendant vehemently denied the allegations.
Result: On February 13, 2009, the Commonwealth entered a Nolle Prosequi, which means that the indictment is withdrawn – meaning that if circumstances change, a prosecution could be initiated again.
Commonwealth v. P.P. – Barnstable District Court
RAPE OF CHILD: DISMISSED
INDECENT ASSAULT & BATTERY: REDUCED TO MISDEMEANOR
Defendant’s 15-year-old biological daughter alleged that the defendant molested her and her younger sister who is 11 years old. Defendant was charged in the Taunton District Court with Indecent Assault & Battery upon the younger sister. In this case, the alleged victim alleged that her father sexually abused her when she was 3-4 years-old. She claimed that, on multiple occasions, her father would play a game where he would lick his finger and run it up her butt-crack. She also claimed that her father made her touch his penis.
Result: Attorney Gerald J. Noonan got the Child Rape charge dismissed and the felony sexual assault charge reduced to a misdemeanor Assault & Battery (a non-sexual crime). His client was placed on probation for two-years on the misdemeanor Assault & Battery and Attorney Noonan saved his client from serving serious prison time and having to register as a sexual offender.
Commonwealth v. John Doe – Dedham Juvenile Court
ASSAULT with INTENT TO RAPE: DISMISSED
Police were dispatched to Middle-High School to speak with the Assistant Principal with regards to allegations of sexual assault in which six students reported to the Principal that the Defendant (eighth greater) had been touching and grabbing their butts and making sexual comments to them. This was described as a pattern of sexual harassment that had taken place over the period of months. One of the alleged victim-students told the Principal that the Defendant tried to put his hand in her pants. The alleged victim later told police that the Defendant exposed his penis and said, “I want to fuck you” and had touched her breasts on occasion. One witness provided a statement that the Defendant had the alleged victim on the floor of the locker room and was humping her and fingering her. The alleged victim resisted, tried to push him off, and she couldn’t breathe. The Defendant was charged with Assault with Intent to Rape and two counts of Indecent Assault and Battery. Attorney Gerald J. Noonan filed and argued a Motion to Dismiss the Assault with Intent to Rape charge on the grounds that there was insufficient evidence to support that charge based upon all the discovery that the Commonwealth provided and the evidence that the Commonwealth intended to present at trial. The judge agreed and dismissed the criminal complaint charging the Defendant with Assault with Intent to Rape. The Commonwealth was forced to proceed on the remaining two counts of Indecent Assault and Battery.
Result: Attorney Gerald J. Noonan gets Assault with Intent to Rape charge dismissed against juvenile. “School assault prompts probe.”
Commonwealth v. M.L.
RAPE OF CHILD: DISMISSED
INDECENT ASSAULT & BATTERY: DISMISSED
The alleged victim, age 16, disclosed to her school that she had been sexually and physically abused by her step-father (Defendant) when she was younger starting when she was six years-old. The Defendant had been in the alleged victim life since she was five years-old. The alleged victim told the District Attorney’s Office that when she was 11 years-old the Defendant hit her in the face with his fist causing her lip to split open and that her mother and brother witnessed it. She stated that the Defendant drinks a lot of alcohol. She described an incident occurring a month before the interview in which the Defendant threatened to kill her. She stated that her brother was also physically abused by the Defendant and she observed bruises to her brother when the Defendant hit him. She stated that when she was 9 years-old the Defendant would wake her up in the morning when her mother had went to work and he sexually abused her by rubbing his hands and penis all over her body, including her chest and private parts. She stated that the Defendant would touch the inside and outside of her vagina with his penis and hands. She stated that the Defendant sexually abused her in this manner approximately 3-4 times a week over the span of a few months. On one occasion, Defendant caused her vagina to bleed. She stated that she did not disclose the abuse because the Defendant had threatened to kill her if she told anyone. Police interviewed the alleged victim’s mother who stated that she didn’t believe the alleged victim’s allegations. The mother stated that the alleged victim never disclosed anything to her about being sexually abused. The mother stated that the alleged victim is very destructive and gets into a lot of trouble. Police interviewed the Defendant who emphatically denied all the allegations.
Attorney Noonan filed a Motion for a Bill of Particulars because the alleged victim waited approximately eight years to make this disclosure and the time frame of the alleged offenses was extremely vague. In addition, Attorney Noonan moved to dismiss the criminal complaints because the alleged victim failed to appear at the probable cause hearing and testify under oath concerning these allegations. The Court allowed the bill of particulars but declined action on dismissing the complaints. The court did, however, order the Commonwealth to advise defense counsel (by the next court date) whether the alleged victim would be testifying. On October 19, 2005, Attorney Gerald J. Noonan argued a Motion to Dismiss the criminal complaints arguing that the Commonwealth failed to advise him as to whether the alleged victim intended to testify and failed to provide him with a bill of particulars pursuant to the court’s order.
Result: On October 19, 2005, Rape and sexual assault charges are dismissed.