Opinion ID: 1295875
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Evidence of K.B.'s Prior Sexual History

Text: In his second assignment of error, Delgado argues that the trial court committed reversible error when it prohibited him from presenting evidence of K.B.'s alleged prior sexual abuse. By letter, which the court treated as a pretrial motion, Delgado requested permission to present such evidence under the rape shield statute, Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-321(2) (Reissue 1995). The trial court overruled the motion and limited questions regarding K.B.'s prior sexual abuse to the opinions and conclusions of physicians based upon their examination of K.B. following her April 18 and 19, 2003, assault. [6] Delgado also attempted to question K.B.'s mother regarding an alleged prior accusation of sexual abuse made by K.B., which Delgado claims was later determined to be unfounded. Delgado did not request permission to admit this evidence by pretrial motion, but, rather, attempted to elicit testimony regarding this prior accusation through Delgado's cross-examination of K.B.'s mother. Delgado, however, was not permitted to conduct this cross-examination because of a hearsay objection. In a closed proceeding after the mother's testimony, the trial court addressed in more detail the admissibility of evidence regarding K.B.'s previous accusation of sexual abuse. At that proceeding, Delgado stated his belief that such evidence was admissible under the Nebraska rules of evidence for impeachment purposes. This was the first time this theory was advanced. The trial court noted that it was treating Delgado's questioning as an offer of proof, which it overruled on the ground that the testimony of K.B.'s mother regarding what she had been told by the police officers who investigated K.B.'s previous allegation of sexual abuse was inadmissible hearsay. Hearsay is a statement, other than one made by the declarant while testifying at a trial or hearing, offered in evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 27-801 (Reissue 1995). The questions Delgado sought to ask meet the definition of hearsay and were properly excluded. Delgado's assignment of error on this subject is without merit.