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33 Del. 432

State v. Casper

New York Court of General Session of the Peace · decided 1926-11-16

Cited by 1 later decisions — most recently January 1927

1 state decisions

Relies on State v. Griffin · State v. Daugherty · State v. Brewer

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1926-11-16

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Harrington, J.

¶1If the charge were for rape or for assault with intent to commit rape it would be material for the defense to show that no complaint was made by the prosecuting witness shortly after the commission of the alleged act. Chamberlayne on Evidence, vol. 4, § 3037; Wigmore on Ev., vol. 2, § 1135; State v. Daugherty, 63 Kan. 473, 65 P. 695.

¶2This is true because a failure to complain would affect the credit of the witness. State v. Wolf, 118 Iowa 564, 92 N. W. 673; Wigmore on Ev., § 1135; Chamberlayne on Ev., vol. 4, § 3037.

¶3For the same reason, such evidence would, also, be material on charges of that character on cross-examination; but the charge here is for using a female child under the age of consent (Rev. Code 1915, § 4709) and it has appeared that the alleged act was committed with the consent of the prosecuting witness, who was *433apparently not a mere child either in development or years.

¶4Under such circumstances, it is not reasonable to assume that complaint would ordinarily have been made; a failure to make such complaint would not, therefore, affect the credit of the witness. For that reason, the objection is sustained. Wigmore on Ev., § 1135; Chamberlayne on Ev., vol. 4, §§ 3037, 3041; State v. Griffin, 43 Wash. 591, 86 P. 951, 11 Ann. Cas. 95, 98.

¶5Note. See State v. Grant, 3 W. W. Harr. (33 Del.) 195, 133 Atl. 790; Bove v. State, 3 W. W. Harr. (33 Del.) 229, 134 Atl. 630; Burton v. Natural Gas & Petroleum Corporation, 4 W. W. Harr. (34 Del.) —, 143 Atl. 254.

¶6For admissibility of complaint in an indictment for an assault with intent to commit rape, see State v. Brewer, 1 W. W. Harr. (31 Del.) 363; 114 A. 604.

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