Observations of the legal scene from the Cornhusker State, home of Roscoe Pound and Justice Clarence Thomas' in-laws, and beyond.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Defendant in a Mrs Robinson situation found guilty of statutory rape. Nebraska court of appeals affirms conviction because circumstantial evidence of defendant's age was sufficient to convict. State v. McCulloch, A-06-275, 15 Neb. App. 381 Defendant who was convicted of sexual assault on a child under 15 while he was older than 19 filed for post conviction relief after his trial counsel did not appeal. The district court allowed a direct appeal. On appeal the defendant alleged ineffective counsel because there was insufficient evidence of his age. Nebraska court of appeals affirms, inpart because the state showed that the defendant had a sexual relationship with the victim's mother at least four years before.
when the State is required to
prove the age of a defendant, as in a prosecution under
§ 28-319(1)(c), the jury may consider the defendant’s physical
appearance in determining whether the State has proven the
defendant’s age. The defendant’s physical appearance must be
combined with some other circumstantial evidence, and the
combination of the physical appearance and other circumstantial
evidence must be such that the jury can reasonably infer, beyond
a reasonable doubt, that the defendant’s age is above the age
required by statute.
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