Opinion ID: 1675688
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Sufficiency of the evidence as to Jennifer Cope

Text: Cope contends there was insufficient evidence to support his conviction of raping Jennifer. He points out the state must prove the sexual intercourse was the result of forcible compulsion, or that it occurred after the effective date of Act 281 of 1985, neither of which, he urges, the state proved. On March 7, 1985 Act 281 became effective. [1] The act provides that one commits rape by engaging in sexual intercourse with another person either by forcible compulsion or, regardless of compulsion, if the other person is less than fourteen years of age. Previous to Act 281, the specified age was eleven. Since Jennifer was born on May 6, 1973 the state must prove that sexual intercourse occurred after March 7 or was accomplished by forcible compulsion. Cope insists that there was no proof of either. We need not decide whether Jennifer's testimony that her father would remove her clothes, have sexual intercourse with her, which was painful, and warn her not to tell anyone, meets the statutory requirement of forcible compulsion. Jennifer testified that her mother attended classes on Tuesday and Thursday nights and that these episodes regularly occurred during her mother's absences. The classes ended in May 1985. Jennifer also testified the acts continued until she was removed to a foster home in mid-August 1985. We believe the evidence was sufficient that the offenses occurred after the effective date of Act 281 while Jennifer was less than fourteen years of age.