Court Opinion

ID: 9667845
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 01:56:16.526488+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:15:40.206985
License: Public Domain

John I. Purtle, Justice, dissenting. I dissent from that part of the opinion which affirms the conviction for the rape of Debra Cope, the younger daughter. Not only was there no substantial evidence that Debra had been raped, there was positive evidence that sometime later she was still a virgin — her hymen was still intact. The examining physician found no evidence of sexual abuse or intercourse. The only evidence was Debra’s testimony. The rape of both girls is alleged to have occurred between December 1984 and August 12, 1985. When the girls were first interviewed, Jennifer said she had been raped and Debra stated she had not been raped or molested. However, after the videotaped statement of her sister was taken, Debra then stated she had been raped in exactly the same manner as her sister testified she had been raped. In June of 1986 the video depositions of the girls were taken. Debra did not remember telling the investigators that the appellant had not raped her. She testified positively that the appellant would get on top of her and “put his private in my private.” Her testimony was clearly that the appellant had vaginal intercourse with her. There was never any other evidence offered to substantiate her statement. The examining physician found absolutely no evidence to support her story. Since she at first denied that appellant had even touched her private parts and only changed her story after Jennifer described how she had been raped, I believe that she was simply following the leader. I have no disagreement with our cases which have upheld rape convictions on the testimony of the victim. In all those cases, however, there was also physical evidence that a rape had actually occurred. In this case no such evidence was presented. The appellant admitted that he had indeed had vaginal intercourse with Jennifer; however, he steadfastly denied any misconduct with Debra. There is no question that child molesters and those who commit rape should and must be dealt with rather harshly. There is presently a hue and cry for vengeance in such cases. That is fine unless it goes so far as to automatically condemn anyone charged with such an offense. Young children are learning from the news media and other sources that accusing an adult with such a crime is one way of getting even with them for any grievance the child might have. An accused should still be considered innocent until reliable and positive proof of guilt is established. However, I fear society and the law is rapidly reaching the point where the mere accusation by a child that an adult has molested him or her is sufficient to send the accused to prison for life. There is a substantial difference in the situation where a child reports being molested at the first opportunity and where the child reports such an offense many months later after a great deal of coaching. In the present case, other than the alleged victim’s testimony, there was no evidence that Debra had been raped. In fact, the doctor’s finding that her hymen was still intact indicates lack of sexual intercourse. The appellant received a life sentence for raping Jennifer. Unless clemency is granted he will spend the rest of his life in prison. I do not feel that the second life sentence for raping Debra is founded upon substantial evidence.