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State v VM, Passaic County Superior Court
In the case of State v. VM, the defendant was charged with multiple sex crimes involving a minor in Passaic County, New Jersey. The charges included second-degree sexual assault, fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child. He was also accused of witness tampering and contempt.
Prosecutors alleged that the 28-year-old picked up a 15-year-old girl from school, took her to a hotel, engaged in sexual activity, then dropped her off on a public street before heading to work.
Inconsistent Statements from the Alleged Victim
The defense team at Lazzaro Law quickly identified issues with the prosecution’s case. The alleged victim gave several conflicting accounts of the incident and later refused a rape kit examination at the hospital. Her statements lacked clarity, and key timelines were inconsistent.
Lack of Physical Evidence and Incomplete Investigation
The police investigation failed to produce any supporting physical or forensic evidence. No hotel surveillance footage was recovered. Hotel staff were not interviewed. No hotel receipts or proof of payment were connected to the defendant. Most importantly, no DNA or scientific evidence supported the State’s allegations.
Fast Not Guilty Verdict in New Jersey Sex Crime Trial
After a two-week jury trial in July 2017, the defense exposed the weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. The jury returned a not guilty verdict on the most serious charges in just over an hour. The State dismissed the remaining charges after the trial concluded.
Lazzaro Law provides aggressive criminal defense for clients accused of sex crimes, assault, and other serious charges in New Jersey. If you are facing false allegations, contact Lazzaro Law to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney.
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