Keywords
rape-shield, testimony, victim, murder, privacy, testimonial, privilege
Abstract
This Note analyzes whether legislation analogous to rape-shield statutes should be enacted to limit testimony concerning the prior sexual history of a murder victim. The Note discusses the historical development of rape-shield statutes and the policies underlying their enactment, examines the constitutional of rape-shield statutes, and discusses the rationale behind state court decisions upholding the constitutionality of rape-shield statutes. The Note then considers whether existing law concerning the right of privacy and testimonial privileges may be construed to enable the family members of a murder victim to prevent the exposure of a deceased victim's sexual past. Based upon this analysis, the Note proposes legislation to extend the protection of rape-shield statutes to deceased victims of sex crimes.
Recommended Citation
Joan L. Brown,
Blaming The Victim: The Admissibility Of Sexual History In Homicides,
16 Fordham Urb. L.J. 263
(1988).
Available at: https://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/ulj/vol16/iss2/3