Ricketts v. State

Murphy, C. J., dissents and files a dissenting opinion at page 714 infra.

In this case we shall decide whether a prior conviction for indecent exposure was admissible to impeach the credibility of the defendant.

The facts may be stated briefly. Richard Eugene Ricketts was tried by a jury in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County on charges of second degree rape, second degree sexual offense, and burglary. When Ricketts took the witness stand to testify in his defense the trial judge, over the objection of defense counsel, allowed the prosecutor to question Ricketts regarding a three year old…