Court Opinion

ID: 9772167
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 17:09:10.41526+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:31:42.395891
License: Public Domain

WINTERSHEIMER, Justice,
dissenting.
I must respectfully dissent from the majority opinion because I do not believe the admission of so-called expert testimony on the “sexual abuse accommodation syndrome” constituted reversible error. The testimony did not materially contribute to the ultimate verdict.
The credentials of the expert, who holds a Masters degree in clinical social work and was a professor of clinical social work in psychiatry, were not objected to. It appears from the narrative statement and supplemental narrative statement that the only certain objection made to the testimony was that it was hearsay as it pertained *818to any statements made by the victim to the expert. The victim, the defendant and the expert were all present in court and testified. Appellant’s recollection is that he objected to the testimony about his conclusions on the sexual abuse accommodation syndrome, but the prosecutor has no recollection about such claimed objection.
There is an unfortunate tendency by both prosecution and defense to over use psychological experts. I believe that juries are fully capable of deciding questions of fact and weighing the credibility of witnesses without the unnecessary intervention of social experts. Considering the case as a whole, I do not believe there is a substantial possibility that the result would have been any different, even if the so-called expert testimony was admitted. See Abernathy v. Commonwealth, Ky., 439 S.W.2d 949 (1969).
It is also my belief that Pendleton, supra, should not be applied retroactively. The prosecutor relied on Russell v. Commonwealth, Ky., 482 S.W.2d 584 (1972), at the trial on May 14, 15 and 16, 1984. Almost a year later, after the trial, Pendle-ton became final on March 21, 1985. The “lustful inclination” language of Russell, supra, was overruled. However, the remaining aspects of Russell as to common plan, pattern and motive and intent remain in tact. My examination of the evidence indicates that the defendant was making other improper sexual advances at the very time he was sexually abusing the victim. I believe the evidence demonstrates a common scheme, pattern and plan as contemplated by both Russell and Pendleton.
I would affirm the conviction.