Opinion ID: 2013901
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Green's Preliminary Showing

Text: [16] ¶ 36. We conclude that, under either the Shiffra standard or the slightly heightened standard set forth in this opinion, any showing by Green at the circuit court was insufficient to compel the court to conduct an in camera review of N.W.'s records. We therefore affirm the court of appeals' conclusion. ¶ 37. At the pretrial hearing, Green merely argued that N.W.'s counseling records could contain statements from N.W. that were inconsistent with her statements provided to the police and to social services. The mere assertion, however, that the sexual assault was discussed during counseling and that the counseling records may contain statements that are inconsistent with other reports is insufficient to compel an in camera review. Green was required to show that the evidence was independently probative, that is not cumulative, and to show that the evidence was material to his particular defense. Green established neither. Further, he failed to show any evidence to even remotely suggest that N.W. suffered from any psychological disorder that hindered her ability to relay truthful information. See Jessica J.L. v. State, 223 Wis. 2d 622, 635, 589 N.W.2d 660 (Ct. App. 1998) (in seeking such records based on inconsistent statements, a defendant must show, through other evidence, that the records will tend to prove that [the child] has a psychological disorder that would make her a poor reporter of events relating to sexual conduct or draw her credibility into question in any way). Certainly, Green had access to other reports from the police and social services which showed that N.W. had changed her story over time; he could have attacked (and did attack at trial) her credibility with these inconsistent statements. We therefore conclude that Green did not meet his burden under any applicable standard for an in camera inspection by the court. This is, as the court of appeals noted, not even a close call. [9]