Opinion ID: 1930254
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Changes in the Victim's Personality and Behavior

Text: Defendant contends finally that the victim's testimony that after the assault she could not sleep, had nightmares, and was rude and mean, together with her school principal's testimony of a change in her social behavior and academic performance at that time, was not relevant and should not have been admitted. It is for the trial court to determine the relevancy of evidence offered at trial; its determination is reviewable only for abuse of discretion. See State v. Gagnon, 383 A.2d 25, 31 (Me.1978). We find no abuse of discretion here. Evidence of changes in the victim's personality and behavior immediately after the time of the reported assault tends to prove that something of a traumatic nature had in fact occurred and thus was clearly relevant to the State's case. The entry is: Judgment affirmed. All concurring.