Opinion ID: 1162550
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: State v. Kitchen

Text: James Kitchen was charged with one count of second degree statutory rape of his daughter, allegedly occurring between the fall of 1980 and December 1981. The victim described in detail the place and circumstances surrounding several incidents that could constitute the crime charged, but was not always certain as to exact dates. The defense introduced evidence of several past contradictory statements made by the victim, in which she stated that the allegations against her father were fabricated. The jury also heard testimony from witnesses testifying generally to Mr. Kitchen's and his daughter's character and reputation, and to circumstances and conversations surrounding and following the alleged acts. The jury was not instructed that it must unanimously agree on which of the several acts testified to actually occurred. The Court of Appeals reversed and remanded the jury's conviction, holding that Mr. Kitchen was denied his right to a unanimous verdict and that error was not harmless. State v. Kitchen, 46 Wn. App. 232, 730 P.2d 103 (1986). This court accepted review of the harmless error issue. B