Duncan's second argument on appeal is that the district court erred by allowing the State to present expert testimony about the long-term effects of C.D.'s injuries. The State presented the testimony of Dr. Lynn Sheets, a pediatrician, who testified that C.D.'s injuries had produced extensive scarring. She indicated that because of the degree of injury C.D. had suffered, she expected that C.D. would experience sexual dysfunction and childbirth dysfunction. At trial, Duncan's attorney objected to questions about C.D.'s prognosis on the grounds of relevance. The district court permitted the doctor to respond on the grounds that the testimony was relevant to the degree of force required to produce C.D.'s injuries.
Evidence is relevant if it has any tendency to prove any material fact.
To be admissible, evidence must be confined to the issues but need not bear directly upon them. To render evidence of collateral facts competent, there must be some logical connection between them and the inference or result they are designed to establish. A trial court's ruling of the relevancy of evidence is discretionary and will not be disturbed on appeal absent a clear showing of abuse of discretion. On appeal, Duncan argues that the district court incorrectly believed force was an element of the charge. Duncan's contention mischaracterizes the record.