Opinion ID: 1974555
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Prior Allegations of Rape by the Complainant

Text: Steen argues that the trial court violated his Sixth Amendment right to confront his accuser when it precluded inquiry into a prior rape allegation on voir dire and on cross-examination of the complainant. In his offer of proof, Steen stated that John Doe [3] had consensual sexual intercourse with the complainant after a party on campus which both attended. According to Steen's offer of proof, the complainant allegedly told an acquaintance, Jane Roe, that John Doe had raped her. The complainant never reported this incident to the authorities. The State responded that the complainant denied ever speaking with Jane Roe about the incident with Doe and further denied that the sexual intercourse with Doe was consensual. The trial court excluded any mention of the Doe incident because facts were very much in dispute, and would lead to trying two cases of rape. The trial court continued: [T]he minimal probative value on the issue of the victim's credibility is clearly outweighed by the confusion this prior incident would introduce into this case.... A trial court enjoys broad discretion in determining the scope of cross-examination. State v. White, 456 A.2d 13, 15 (Me. 1983). We will uphold the trial court's exercise of that discretion unless it interferes with a defendant's right to a fair trial. Id. In the case at bar, Steen's offer of proof established only an allegation that the complainant made a prior false accusation of sexual assault. The complainant never made any formal complaint against Doe and denied making any allegation of rape to Jane Roe. Furthermore, Steen never provided affidavits of Doe or Roe despite the trial court's providing him an opportunity to do so. The court properly engaged in the balancing test required by M.R.Evid. 403, [4] and its determination that the probative value of his evidence was outweighed by the possibility of jury confusion and delay does not constitute an abuse of discretion.