State v. Otton

¶ 1 While ostensibly concerning the interpretation of an evidentiary rule, this is actually a case about stare decisis. Petitioner Nakia Lee Otton seeks reversal of his convictions for second degree assault and felony harassment. The victim testified at Otton’s trial, and because her testimony was inconsistent with her prior sworn statement to police about the incident, the trial court admitted the victim’s prior statement as substantive evidence. Otton acknowledges that the trial court’s decision and the Court of Appeals opinion affirming that decision were proper in accordance with this…