State v. Courtney G.

Citations

• 339 Conn. 328

Syllabus

Convicted of multiple counts of first degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a child in connection with the sexual abuse of S, the daughter of the In accordance with our policy of protecting the privacy interests of the victims of sexual abuse and the crime of risk of injury to a child, we decline to identify the victim or others through whom the victim's identity may be ascertained. See General Statutes § 54-86e. 339 Conn. 328 NOVEMBER, 2021 329 State v. Courtney G. defendant's girlfriend, N, the defendant appealed. S first disclosed the abuse, which began when she was eight years old, at a meeting with several members of her family, including N, that occurred when S was seventeen. At trial, S testified that she was crying during the meeting. Thereafter, the trial court, over defense counsel's objection, allowed N to testify about S's demeanor during the meeting, and N also testified that S had been crying. The defendant testified at trial and denied any inappropriate contact with S. In response to a question from the prosecutor, the defendant stated that he had an interest in the case insofar as he did not want to go to jail and leave his children behind. During closing and rebuttal arguments, the prosecutor stated that the defendant, having been present in the courtroom and having listened to S and N testify, displayed a ''lack of outrage'' at the accusations against him. The prosecutor also purported to summarize the reasonable doubt standard, telling the jury that proof beyond a reasonable doubt is based on common sense and life experience and determined by a totality of the evidence rather than ''just . . . one picky little point.'' The prosecutor also remarked on defense counsel's failure to cross- examine S, calling S's testimony ''unchallenged and uncontroverted.'' On appeal, the defendant claimed that the trial court improperly admitted N's testimony about S's out-of-court demeanor and that the prosecutor made certain improper remarks during closing a