Mark Singer Case Results: State v. C.H.
C.H. was charged with 2 counts of Gross Sexual Assault class A (punishable by up to 30 years in prison per count); 2 counts of Unlawful Sexual Contact class B (punishable by up to 10 years in prison per count); and 2 counts of Unlawful Sexual Contact class C (punishable by up to 5 years in prison per count). This was an old case and a late report by an adult who alleged our client, a distant relative, had sexually assaulted him while he was a child.
This case was initially handled by another law firm before the client fired that firm and hired The Maine Criminal Defense Group. Over the course of the next 15 months, we litigated every issue, including whether or not our client should have been charged as a juvenile and if so, would the statute of limitations have run in the case. Attorney Singer was the lead attorney in this matter with Attorney Bly providing trial strategy and specific witness guidance.
All issues were thoroughly litigated, including filing motions to suppress evidence and motions in limine to limit the admissibility or use of certain evidence.
During Attorney Singer’s cross-examination of the “victim”, he got the “victim” to admit that he was seeking avenues to sue our client for money damages, which played directly into our opening statement where we told the jury that the “victim” had ample motive to lie about what really happened. Following the trial, the jury was deadlocked on the issue of our client’s innocence.
Conclusion
We filed for a directed verdict on the first five counts, which included a “C” felony, both “A” felonys and both “B” felonys. Following lengthy argument by attorney Bly, the judge agreed that the state had not provided sufficient evidence on these counts for a jury to reach a verdict, and as such, the court dismissed those counts with prejudice. The client rejected every effort by the District Attorney to resolve the matter, even going so far as rejecting a nolo contender plea to Disorderly Conduct with no jail as the outcome.
Ultimately, the District Attorney knowing that it was unlikely they would prevail on a retrial of the remaining count, chose to dismiss that charge. Our client, who maintained his innocence from the very beginning, was grateful and relieved that he could finally get on with his life and put those horrible allegations behind him.
