Opinion ID: 2016221
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: determination of victim's competency to testify

Text: While no certain age has been deemed to be the age at which a child becomes competent to testify in a court of law, the court generally takes into consideration whether she is able to receive correct impressions by the senses, to recollect accurately, and to appreciate the moral duty to tell the truth. See, In re Interest of M.L.S., 234 Neb. 570, 452 N.W.2d 39 (1990); State v. Guy, 227 Neb. 610, 419 N.W.2d 152 (1988). The question of competency of a child witness lies within the discretion of the trial court, and that determination will not be disturbed in the absence of an abuse of discretion. In re Interest of M.L.S., supra ; State v. Guy, supra ; State v. Miner, 216 Neb. 309, 343 N.W.2d 899 (1984). We find no abuse of discretion in the court's determination that the child was a competent witness. The record is clear that B.W. was able to receive correct sensory impressions, recollect accurately, and appreciate the moral duty to tell the truth. While the effect of the alleged assault on her mental and emotional difficulties may have compromised her judgment of both the timing of the sequence of events and certain anatomical references, no evidence suggested that these difficulties rendered B.W. incompetent to testify to the crimes committed against her. The assignment is without merit.