The Michigan Court of Appeals recently affirmed the conviction and sentence of Marshawn James Curtis, 32, who currently resides in the Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility for a 2012 sexual assault, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Ingham County Prosecutor John Dewane. Curtis was sentenced in February 2024 to 17.5 - 80 years’ incarceration after being convicted by an Ingham County jury of First-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct.
The investigation and prosecution of Curtis were conducted by the Ingham/Jackson Regional Sexual Assault Team. The State’s Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) was established in 2016 to investigate and prosecute sexual assaults related to previously untested sexual assault evidence kits. The SAKI project provides sexual assault victims with the opportunity to have their cases re-investigated in a comprehensive, trauma-informed manner.
“Our state’s SAKI units do a tremendous job prosecuting challenging cases and securing convictions for sexual assault survivors, and this case was no exception,” said Nessel. “I am relieved that the Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction and sentence of Mr. Curtis. Through this initiative, we will continue to support victims and help keep our communities safe.”
“The Court of Appeals’ decision reinforces that this conviction was both fair and supported by the evidence,” said Dewane. “We will continue to work tirelessly to hold offenders accountable and to pursue justice for survivors in every case we handle.”
On appeal, Curtis argued that the trial court’s admission of other-acts evidence, hearsay, and expert testimony was improper. He also challenged the admission of a prosecution witness’ testimony that he feared reprisal for testifying, claimed he was denied a fair trial and the right to present a defense when a defense witness was not permitted to testify by videoconference, and contended that his sentence at the top of the guidelines range was disproportionate. The Court of Appeals rejected these arguments and affirmed the conviction and sentence.
The investigation and prosecution of Curtis were conducted by the Ingham/Jackson Regional Sexual Assault Team. The State’s Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) was established in 2016 to investigate and prosecute sexual assaults related to previously untested sexual assault evidence kits. The SAKI project provides sexual assault victims with the opportunity to have their cases re-investigated in a comprehensive, trauma-informed manner.
“Our state’s SAKI units do a tremendous job prosecuting challenging cases and securing convictions for sexual assault survivors, and this case was no exception,” said Nessel. “I am relieved that the Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction and sentence of Mr. Curtis. Through this initiative, we will continue to support victims and help keep our communities safe.”
“The Court of Appeals’ decision reinforces that this conviction was both fair and supported by the evidence,” said Dewane. “We will continue to work tirelessly to hold offenders accountable and to pursue justice for survivors in every case we handle.”
On appeal, Curtis argued that the trial court’s admission of other-acts evidence, hearsay, and expert testimony was improper. He also challenged the admission of a prosecution witness’ testimony that he feared reprisal for testifying, claimed he was denied a fair trial and the right to present a defense when a defense witness was not permitted to testify by videoconference, and contended that his sentence at the top of the guidelines range was disproportionate. The Court of Appeals rejected these arguments and affirmed the conviction and sentence.
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