State of Tennessee v. Kevin Harris

Ashland City, Tennessee criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with aggravated sexual battery and rape of a child for conduct committed against E.T.



J.T. contacted law enforcement and Cheatham County Sheriff's Office ("CCSO") Detective Jason Harvison spoke to J.T. about E.T.'s allegations. On June 8, J.T. took E.T. to the Child Advocacy Center for the 23rd Judicial District ("CAC"), where Morgan Bowen conducted a forensic interview. A video recording of E.T's forensic interview was admitted at trial and played for the jury. E.T. told Ms. Bowen that she had told her mother a "secret" about Defendant. E.T. said that Defendant and her mother were "good friends" and he came to the house frequently. E.T. said that a week before the forensic interview, Defendant put his hand in her shirt and "rubbed [his hand] around" her breast and that he did this "all the time." E.T. told Ms. Bowen that she would push Defendant away when he touched her breast.



* * *



Legal issue Did the trial court err in admitting a forensic interview and was there sufficient evidence to establish penetration in a child rape conviction?



Key Phrases Aggravated sexual battery. Forensic interview admissibility. Insufficient evidence of penetration. Prosecutor improper argument. Child sexual abuse trauma.

Affirmed