COMMONWEALTH vs. ALAN LEFKOWITZ (and a companion case [Note 1]).

GREANEY, C.J. These are appeals by Alan Lefkowitz and Arif Hussain, two of the three defendants whose convictions of unaggravated rape were affirmed by the Supreme Judicial Court in Commonwealth v. Sherry, 386 Mass. 682 (1982). [Note 2] The appeals are from the denials of their respective motions for a new trial pursuant to Mass.R.Crim.P. 30, 378 Mass. 900 (1979). In the motions, the defendants argue that their convictions should be set aside because the trial judge violated: (1) their Sixth Amendment rights by excluding evidence (offered to impeach the victim's testimony by showing bias and unreliability) that she had recounted prior rape experiences; and (2) their rights to due process by failing to instruct the jury properly on the mental element of the crime of rape. The Superior Court judge who presided at the defendant's trial considered the materials submitted by the defendants' counsel [Note 3] and heard oral argument on the motions. He denied the motions, concluding, in substance, that the questions sought to be raised by the defendants had been raised and considered by the Supreme Judicial Court in its opinion in Commonwealth v. Sherry, supra. [Note 4] We affirm his orders.

1. The defendants' Sixth Amendment claims concern the trial judge's exclusion from evidence of certain hearsay statements by the victim concerning her prior sexual experiences. According to the defendants' offers of proof, the victim had disclosed to others that she had been raped or almost raped on several occasions in the past. The defendants argue that the

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statements would have impeached the credibility of the victim's testimony by illustrating that she had a distorted and exaggerated perception of nonconsensual sexual activity. Thus, the defendants urge, the exclusion of the evidence prevented them from presenting to the jury a basis for finding the victim's testimony biased and unreliable. See Davis v. Alaska, 415 U.S. 308, 315-318 (1974); Commonwealth v. Joyce, 382 Mass. 222, 225-229 (1981).

We agree with the trial judge that the defendants are precluded from raising the question. An examination of the record and briefs in the direct appeal before the Supreme Judicial Court discloses that the defendants made several arguments alleging error in the exclusion of the victim's statements concerning her past sexual experiences. These arguments included the argument that a failure to permit such inquiry as would tend to show the victim's bias and motive to lie violated their Sixth Amendment rights. [Note 5] The Supreme Judicial Court discussed and rejected the contentions at 386 Mass. at 691-693. Simply because the issue was not addressed in the Sherry opinion in the exact form in which it was presented does not mean that the Supreme Judicial Court was not given a fair opportunity to apply controlling legal principles to the facts bearing upon the defendants' constitutional claim. See Smith v. Digmon, 434 U.S. 332 (1978); Williams v. Holbrook, 691 F.2d 3, 8 (1st Cir. 1982).

In this regard, the defendants lose sight of the passage in Commonwealth v. Sherry, which states (at 692) that "[w]ithout evidence of falsity, the [victim's] statements become irrelevant to any issue in the case, including the credibility of the complainant." See also Commonwealth v. Bohannon, 376 Mass. 90, 95 (1978); Commonwealth v. Haywood, 377 Mass. 755, 763 (1979). As the trial judge noted, the defendants presented

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"not a scintilla of evidence" showing that the statements were anything but true accounts of past events. Rather, the defendants engaged in speculation that the statements demonstrated the victim's "idiosyncratic and distorted perceptions." Conjecture about "distorted perceptions" cannot substitute for some evidence which would warrant the jury in finding the statements inaccurate. [Note 6] See Commonwealth v. Chretien, 383 Mass. 123, 138 (1981). Taken in context, the Supreme Judicial Court's indication that, without proof of falsity, the statements were "irrelevant to any issue in the case including the credibility of the complainant" can only be viewed as a rejection of the defendants' Sixth Amendment argument. It is not our function to reconsider the issue. [Note 7]

2. The defendants' due process argument was not raised in their direct appeals. [Note 8] The argument involves the instructions given the jury on the elements of the crime of unaggravated

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rape and focuses on the trial judge's failure to give the italicized portion of the following jury instruction: [Note 9]

"Unless you find beyond a reasonable doubt that [the victim] clearly expressed her lack of consent, or was so overcome by force, or threats of bodily injury that she was incapable of consenting, and unless you find beyond doubt that the accused had actual knowledge of [the victim's] lack of consent, then you must find them not guilty."

The trial judge refused to give the requested instruction, stating that the jury "should look at the acts of the defendants, [the victim's] response to [those] acts, whatever words were used, examining the entire atmosphere, and not look at [the case] from the point of view of the defendant's perceptions . . . I don't think that's the law." The instructions given the jury on the elements of unaggravated rape are set forth in the appendix to this opinion.

The defendants argue that the instructions omitted not only their requested instruction on intent but also any instruction on the mental element of the crime of rape, thereby inviting the jury to convict them without a finding that they possessed a culpable state of mind. A conviction on this basis, the defendants contend, violates due process because mental culpability is required as an element of all crimes which have their origin in the common law. See, in general, Morissette v. United States, 342 U.S. 246, 260 (1952); United States v. United States Gypsum Co., 438 U.S. 422, 436 (1978); Commonwealth v. Mixer, 207 Mass. 141, 142 (1910). [Note 10]

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The trial judge did not err in denying the instruction in the language requested, since the instruction expressly sought to make specific intent an essential element of the crime of rape. As the Supreme Judicial Court made clear in Commonwealth v. Grant, 391 Mass. 645, 649 (1984), the crime of rape, G. L. c. 265, Section 22, does not require for conviction proof that the defendant harbored a "specific intent that the intercourse be without consent." Indeed, to emphasize the point that specific intent is not an essential element of the offense, the Grant decision made reference (at 650) to the language in Commonwealth v. Sherry, supra (386 Mass. at 687) that "[t]he essence of the crime of rape, whether aggravated or unaggravated, is sexual intercourse with another compelled by force and against the victim's will or compelled by threat of bodily injury." [Note 11]

The passage quoted from Sherry merely repeats what has long been the view in this Commonwealth of the gravamen of rape. See Commonwealth v. McDonald, 110 Mass. 405, 405-406 (1872); Commonwealth v. McCan, 277 Mass. 199, 203 (1931); Commonwealth v. Deschamps, 1 Mass. App. Ct. 1, 3 (1972); Commonwealth v. Leroux, 12 Mass. App. Ct. 886

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(1981). The discussion in the Grant case, and the frequency with which the crime of rape has been described in the decisional law of this Commonwealth, lead to the inescapable conclusion that the prosecution has proved rape if the jury concludes that the intercourse was in fact nonconsensual (that is, effectuated by force or by threat of bodily injury), without any special emphasis on the defendant's state of mind. See Commonwealth v. Thayer, ante 234, 238 (1985). The scienter element of the offense thus equates with the scienter sufficient to convict of most crimes, a general intent. That element usually is not explained to the jury in the enumeration of the elements of the crime, being left to be inferred from all the evidence in the case. [Note 12] (See the language in the Grant decision 391 Mass. at 651, which speaks in terms of "the defendant intend[ing] intercourse" as sufficient intent.) Commentators on criminal law are in accord, [Note 13] as are the courts of several other States that have considered the question. [Note 14] In so defining the crime, the Legislature acted well within its authority, [Note 15] seeking, perhaps,

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to deter would-be rapists by putting them at risk of conviction if a jury concludes, despite a claim of consent, that sexual intercourse was induced by force or threats.

The instructions given by the trial judge in this case met (and may have exceeded) the specifications discussed above. The instructions suggested that the defendants could be convicted only if the prosecution proved that they had a "purpose" or had "calculated" to have intercourse by means of force or threats not merely a "purpose" or "calculat[ion]" to have intercourse. Appendix, paragraphs 11, 14, and 19. The instructions made express reference to the need for a finding by the jury that any "fear instilled by threats . . . be reasonable in the circumstances," thereby directing the jury's attention to the existence of objective facts, as distinguished from the victim's subjective impressions. Appendix, paragraphs 17 and 19. The jury were also directed to examine the "act[s] and conduct" of the defendants to decide whether the intercourse was accomplished by force or threats. Appendix, paragraphs 16 and 17. This is traditional language for ascertaining the existence of intent from inferences drawn from behavior. Finally, the legal standards for determining whether consent was present were stated in detail in recognized language. Appendix, paragraphs 20, 21, and 22. Since the instructions in paragraphs 11, 14 and 19, in particular, focused the jury's attention on the defendants' perceptions perhaps to an extent greater than was required, the charge may have benefited the defendants by leading the jury to believe that the prosecution was required to show that they had acted with specific intent. [Note 16] See State v.

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Pierce, 438 A.2d 247, 251-252 (Me. 1981); People v. Mattas, 645 P.2d 254, 257 n.3 (Colo. 1982). In any event, the trial judge's complete instructions did not omit reference to any essential element of the crime.

Since the impeachment issue was presented to the Supreme Judicial Court in the defendants' direct appeals and rejected, and since the jury instructions on the elements of unaggravated rape were not violative of due process, the orders denying the defendants' motions for new trial are affirmed. So ordered.

BROWN, J. (concurring). I am in full agreement with the reasoning of the panel. It is time to put to rest the societal myth that when a man is about to engage in sexual intercourse with a "nice" woman "a little force is always necessary." That notion has not been insinuated into our jurisprudence.

The essence of the offense of rape is lack of consent on the part of the victim. I am prepared to say that when a woman says "no" to someone any implication other than a manifestation of nonconsent that might arise in that person's psyche is legally irrelevant, and thus no defense. Any further action is unwarranted and the person proceeds at his peril. In effect, he assumes the risk. In 1985, I find no social utility in establishing a rule defining nonconsensual intercourse on the basis of the subjective (and quite likely wishful) view of the more aggressive player in the sexual encounter. [Note Concur-1] See and compare Commonwealth

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v. Thayer, ante 234, 238 (1985) (defendant's expectations are irrelevant if complainant did not consent).

APPENDIX TO THE OPINION OF THE COURT.

The paragraph numbers have been inserted for reference in the course of our discussion of the instructions.

"[1.] I will, at this point, call your attention to the offense of rape. Although this is a crime of ancient origin, it is now embodied in a statute: General Laws Chapter 265, Section 22, as amended significantly in 1974.

"[2.] As I read the pertinent parts of this statute I am first going to call your attention to this offense without aggravated features. I will later come to that.

"[3.] As to the crime of offensive rape without aggravation, the pertinent parts of the statute are these.

"`Whoever has sexual intercourse or unnatural sexual intercourse with a person and compels such person to submit by force and against his will' -- in this case, her will -- "`-- or compels such person to submit by threat of bodily injury shall be punished.'

"[4.] Do you mind if I repeat that?

"`Whoever has sexual intercourse or unnatural sexual intercourse with a person and compels such person to submit by force and against his will or compels such person to submit by threat of bodily injury shall be punished."

"[5.] Now I have, for the sake of convenience in explaining the legal precepts, broken this crime -- this offense down into three real components.

"[6.] In order to find any of the defendants guilty of the crime of rape, without aggravation, the following legal components must be proved to you beyond a reasonable doubt. One, that the defendant or defendants had sexual intercourse with the alleged victim.

"[7.] Two, that such intercourse was accomplished by force or by threat of bodily injury, to the extent that it was against the will or without the consent of the complainant.

"[8.] Let me repeat: You must be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendants had sexual intercourse with the victim. Two, that such intercourse was accomplished by force or by threat of bodily injury and therefore was against the will, or without the consent of the complainant.

"[9.] Intercourse means that the man's sexual organ penetrated the female's sexual organ.

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"[10.] Now, the first part of component 2 is that sexual intercourse was accomplished by force and what does force mean in legal contemplation?

"[11.] It's been said that force in this context means that it must be such to overcome the woman's will; that it be sufficient to accomplish the man's purpose of having sexual intercourse against her will.

"[12.] There is no definitive rule as to the amount of force which is required. You will note, however, that the second part of component 2 provides, and I will read it again: component 2 is that such intercourse was accomplished by force or by threat of bodily injury.

"[13.] So if either one of those exist and you are convinced that they exist on the evidence beyond a reasonable doubt, then that component is satisfied.

"[14.] Now, note that the second part of component 2 provides, in addition to the exertion of actual force in compelling submission of the female to sexual intercourse, this offense can be committed if bodily injury is threatened for the purpose of extorting consent or preventing resistance and if the threats create a reasonable apprehension in the female of dangerous consequences or bodily harm, or if the threats overpower the mind of the victim to the extent that she does not resist, this component is satisfied.

"[15.] Now, you have got to be convinced of that component beyond a reasonable doubt of either one of those things. That is that actual force was used or that there was threat of bodily harm. This, of course, must be within the credible evidence that was presented in this courtroom.

"[16.] Now, this threat of bodily harm may be inferred from the conduct of the defendants. It may be expressed by act or conduct as well as words, you understand that.

"[17.] Of course the fear instilled by the threats, if you find such threats, must be reasonable in the circumstances delineated by the credible evidence. In other words, you look at the narrative, and the narrative of the defense which you have adopted and together with the ride in the car and what happened in the cottage or summer house at Rockport, and you apply these concepts to them. So that if you find the threat of bodily harm, either express or implied, you must then consider: was that threat of bodily harm expressed by conduct or words, and was fear instilled in the alleged victim so that it was reasonable for her not to resist? Was her will to resist overcome by the express or implied conduct of the defendants in threatening bodily harm?

"[18.] Now, you may find that beyond reasonable doubt, or you may not find it at all, since you are the fact finders.

"[19.] Now, you must be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt on the evidence presented, the acts of the defendants, and the threats, if any, of the defendants, but whatever the defendants did or said, were reasonably calculated to create in the mind of the victim a real apprehension due to fear of imminent bodily harm, serious enough to impair or overcome her will to resist.

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"[20.] The next component of course is -- the way I have given it to you -- is that this must be, and must operate against the will of the victim.

"[21.] Now, against the will, and without her consent, are synonymous terms. Now, in determining whether or not there was no consent, I read to you pertinent parts of a Massachusetts case.

"[22.] `The act of the defendant must have been against the will, that is without the woman's consent, and there must have been sufficient force used by him to accomplish his purpose.'

"[23.] `The jury must be satisfied that there was no consent during any part of the act, and that the degree of resistance was frequently an essential matter for them to consider in determining whether the alleged want of consent was honest and real. But there is no rule of law requiring a jury to be satisfied that the woman, according to the measure of her strength, used all the physical force in opposition of which she was capable.'

"[24.] So what that says, put succinctly is that you may consider the resistance which has been delineated in the facts, as to -- you may consider that as to whether or not she consented to these acts.

"[25.] Now, if you find that these men, these defendants, had sexual intercourse with the alleged victim, or any of them, and that this intercourse was compelled by force exerted by them or any one of them or she was compelled to submit to the intercourse by threat of bodily injury, and you are convinced of these elements beyond a reasonable doubt, you must find the defendants, or any one of them guilty.

"[26.] If you are not so convinced you must acquit these defendants."