Opinion ID: 505548
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Exclusion of Wendy's Alleged Past Sexual Activities

Text: 10 Prior to trial, defendant sought to introduce evidence of past sexual relations between Wendy and a boy named David Malterre under Fed.R.Evid. 412. Rule 412 provides that evidence of a victim's past sexual behavior is not admissible except in certain narrow situations. The relevant exception in this case states that, subject to the procedural and relevancy requirements of subdivision (c), 4 evidence of specific instances of an alleged victim's past sexual behavior is admissible if offered upon the issue of whether the accused was or was not, with respect to the alleged victim, the source of semen or injury. Fed.R.Evid. 412(b)(2)(A). 11 We have previously applied Rule 412 in the context of child abuse cases. See United States v. Shaw, 824 F.2d 601, 602-04 (8th Cir.1987); cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 108 S.Ct. 1033, 98 L.Ed.2d 997 (1988). In Shaw, we affirmed the district court's exclusion of evidence of prior sexual behavior on the ground that the victim's stretched hymen did not constitute an injury within the meaning of Rule 412(b)(2)(A). Id. at 605. In this case, the victim suffered from a healing laceration on her vaginal wall; an injury sufficient to trigger subdivision (b)(2)(A)'s exception. The district court nonetheless excluded defendant's proffered evidence of Wendy's past sexual behavior on the ground that it was not relevant to the source of this injury. We agree. 12 Following defendant's Rule 412 motion, the district court held an in camera hearing at which Malterre and Patty Lozensky testified. Malterre's testimony was vague and at times contradictory. He stated that he had had consensual sexual intercourse with Wendy, but could not remember how many times. He testified it could have been between one and four times over a one and one half year period. He also could not remember any specific dates; he could only recall that the first time was when he was thirteen years old. He denied having sex with Melissa and then minutes later stated that he had had sex with Melissa. He nonetheless clearly testified that he never forced or hurt Wendy, and she never cried. At the time of trial, Malterre was living with Rose Azure, defendant's mother. Malterre had previously denied any sexual contact with Wendy and admitted at the hearing that he would like to help the defendant if he could. Lozensky testified only that Malterre had recently told her of his alleged past sexual contact with Wendy. 13 We believe the district court properly excluded this evidence as irrelevant to the source of the three centimeter laceration on Wendy's vaginal wall. Malterre testified that all contacts he had had with Wendy were consensual; that he never hurt her. Both Dr. Keene and Dr. ten Bensel unequivocally testified that the laceration Dr. Keene observed would be very painful; that it was an indication of force. 5 Moreover, Malterre was unable to testify that his contact with Wendy occurred during the time the laceration was received. 6 Under these circumstances, we cannot say the district court abused its discretion in excluding evidence of Wendy's alleged prior sexual activities. 7 14 Defendant also claims the evidence of Wendy's alleged contact with Malterre should have been admitted for impeachment purposes, since Wendy had previously denied any contact with Malterre, and to demonstrate Wendy's capability to fabricate a story. These are not recognized exceptions under Rule 412. As we have previously stated, the effect of Rule 412 is to preclude the routine use of evidence of specific instances of a rape victim's prior sexual behavior. United States v. Shaw, 824 F.2d at 607 (citing 124 Cong.Rec. 34913 (1978) (statement of Rep. Mann)). Defendant's arguments to the contrary must be rejected. 15