Opinion ID: 1495306
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Corroboration Issues

Text: Before the commencement of the trial and after the disposition of the motion to sever, the prosecution requested that the court not instruct the jury, at the close of the evidence, that it must find corroboration of the victims' testimony before returning guilty verdicts. The court granted the motion over objection of appellant's counsel saying: I see no reason under the sun in this day and age . . . to say that on the uncorroborated testimony of a victim a defendant can be convicted of kidnapping while armed, armed robbery arising out of the same transaction and. . . where he then commits a rape he can be convicted of the kidnapping while armed on the uncorroborated testimony of the complainant . . . but cannot be convicted of assault with intent to commit rape on her uncorroborated testimony . . . .       The motion is granted. Counsel, I will not instruct on corroboration, and counsel are admonished not to argue any issue of corroboration, either in opening or closing statements. You can argue credibility fully, and you can argue the evidence fully, but nothing to indicate to the jury that there is any legal requirement of corroboration. You can argue the presence or absence of corroboration, but you can't argue the legal principle that corroboration is required. . . . [Emphasis added.]