Stanislas v. People
2011 V.I. Supreme LEXIS 12
Supreme Court of The Virgin Is...2011Background
- Two masked gunmen robbed a St. John bar on Dec. 28, 2007, shooting a patron and fleeing; Stanislas was identified as one of the gunmen after being found wounded and in custody nearby.
- Six card players were victims; Stanislas faced nine charges including attempted murder, assault, unlicensed firearm, and multiple counts of robbery.
- Evidence at trial included victims' testimony, Stanislas's injuries and location, gunshot residue on his hands, and recovered clothing and a rag
- Defense presented character witnesses and Stanislas’s own testimony asserting he was elsewhere and not the shooter.
- The Superior Court denied defense motions for acquittal or judgment of acquittal, and Stanislas was convicted on all counts; sentence was 15 years.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether the evidence suffices to convict Stanislas | People argues substantial evidence supports guilt | Stanislas points to observational gaps and inconsistencies | Yes; verdict supported by substantial evidence |
| Ineffective assistance of counsel | People did not fail to meet the Strickland standard | Stanislas contends counsel’s performance was unreasonable | No reversible error; record adequate for review |
| Remedy sought: judgment of acquittal | People argues no outright acquittal warranted | Stanislas seeks acquittal as remedy | Affirmed denial of judgment of acquittal; conviction affirmed. |
Key Cases Cited
- Latalladi v. People, 51 V.I. 137 (V.I. 2009) (credibility and evidence standards of review)
- Stevens v. People, 52 V.I. 294 (V.I. 2009) (sufficiency of evidence review standard)
- Smith v. People, 51 V.I. 396 (V.I. 2009) (jury may rely on inferences from evidence)
- Corraspe v. People, 53 V.I. 470 (V.I. 2010) (ineffective assistance analysis under Hill framework)
- Hill v. Lockhart, 474 U.S. 52 (U.S. 1985) (establishes Strickland standard for ineffective assistance)