Opinion ID: 1973414
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Trial and Appellate process

Text: At trial, the State presented testimony from M.K., D.R., C.W., Valerie McCabe, and Detective Hoffman, together with that of less-significant witnesses. M.K. testified to her version of the events. D.R. gave an account of defendant's actions with regard to her and also reiterated that M.K. had complained of having been sexually assaulted by Hill. C.W. gave equivocal testimony, on the one hand corroborating M.K.'s story that there was a lot of liquor available at Hill's house and on the other hand saying that the party had been pre-arranged and that she had seen M.K. kissing Hill and sitting on another young man's lap. Valerie McCabe testified to having heard M.K. say to Detective Hoffman that Calvin Hill had raped her. Detective Hoffman also testified to having questioned M.K. and having heard her complaint. D.R.'s, Ms. McCabe's, and Detective Hoffman's testimony were admitted into evidence under the fresh-complaint rule over defense objections. The defense presented Calvin Hill, Joe Brandon, and William Dalton, a private investigator, among other witnesses. Hill testified to his version of the facts. Joe Brandon corroborated Hill's story. Dalton, a private investigator, testified that Ms. McCabe had told him that she hoped Mr. Hill would be hanged, and that she had to admit that the young women in the Collier home led active sexual lives. The jury convicted Hill of committing sexual assault and sexual contact on M.K. Defendant appealed. The Appellate Division held that D.R.'s testimony of M.K.'s May 25th fresh complaint had been properly admitted but that it had been inappropriate for the trial court to have admitted McCabe's and Hoffman's cumulative fresh-complaint testimony. Because it was a close case, the Appellate Division held that the erroneous admission of McCabe's and Hoffman's repetitive fresh complaint evidence had been unduly prejudicial to defendant. Accordingly, the Appellate Division reversed the conviction and remanded the case for a new trial. We granted the State's petition for certification. 117 N.J. 60, 563 A. 2d 826 (1989). Defendant's cross-petition for certification from that portion of the Appellate Division's decision that dealt with D.R.'s testimony was also granted. 118 N.J. 238, 570 A. 2d 987 (1989).