Court Opinion

ID: 9620475
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 05:42:39.167197+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:04:50.792056
License: Public Domain

Mallery, J.
(dissenting)—Regardless of the number of zeros that are added together, the sum is still zero. Trifles and nonerrors cannot add up to reversible error. No rule *394has or can be formulated for the guidance of trial courts as to what number or combinations of nonerrors will amount to reversible error. Such aggregations of trifles lie in the realm of mere whim.
I am in accord with the rule which admits evidence of the promiscuity of a complaining witness in a rape case where consent is a defense.
The proclivity of a promiscuous woman to give her consent to intercourse conflicts with her testimony that she did not consent, and the jury may consider to what extent this conflict affects the credibility of her testimony to the contrary. This is the basis for the rule. It is obviously inapplicable in assault cases.
It was not proved nor is it logical to presume that promiscuous women invite or consent to assaults in the same way that they consent to intercourse. Their testimony as to assault, therefore, does not conflict with their proclivity for promiscuous intercourse, and no rational basis exists for holding that their credibility is adversely affected by their promiscuity any more than in any other kind of a case.
The defense in this case was an attack. The officers were guilty of a “frame-up”, and the complaining witness was promiscuous. The trial court did not err in excluding these collateral matters.
The duty to avoid error rests equally upon all parties in litigation. An obstreperous defense should not be heard to assert any error which is provoked and invited.
I would affirm.