Opinion ID: 1995978
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Testimony of Tracey

Text: Tracey (Steven's mother) testified at trial as a witness for the prosecution. She testified that, on the morning of August 10, 2003, she entered Steven's bedroom. [2] She stated that on that occasion she found Steven naked in bed with her stepson, Fred Jr. [3] She testified that, when she questioned them, the boys did not admit to having engaged in any inappropriate sexual conduct; she stated that they just said to her that it was hot and that they [had] only touched each other on the stomach. Tracey further testified that, in the evening of August 10, she told Steven that she wanted to know the truth about what had occurred with Fred Jr. that morning. Tracey stated that, although Steven did not initially admit to having molested his stepbrother, he eventually made the following statement to her (as she recalled it): I only did it because Leroy did it to me. [4] Tracey stated that she then called Fred Jr.'s mother (Valerie) to discuss what she had observed. Tracey testified that, on the following day (August 11), she convened a family meeting in order to discuss what had occurred between Steven and Fred Jr. and to discuss how to proceed with regard to Steven's accusation concerning Leroy Robinson. Present at that meeting in addition to Tracey were her mother, Steven, Fred Sr. (Tracey's husband and Fred Jr.'s father), Fred Jr., and Valerie. Tracey testified that, at the family meeting, Steven and Fred Jr. admitted to having engaged in some inappropriate touching, but they denied having engaged in any oral sexual contact. She testified that, after discussing the accusation that Steven had made with respect to Leroy Robinson, the whole family group (including Steven) decided to go to Leroy's apartment in order to confront him with Steven's allegations of sexual abuse. Tracey testified that, when she initially confronted Leroy, he denied having violated Steven; but she added that, when Leroy was face to face with Steven, Leroy admitted to having molested him. Tracey stated that defendant also told her that he himself had been molested in a group home. Tracey testified that defendant began to cry and that she then smacked him; she further testified that no one else struck defendant. She stated that soon thereafter her husband asked Valerie to summon the police. B