People v. Stritzinger

Opinion

MOSK, J.

Defendant appeals from a judgment convicting him of multiple counts of child molestation. He contends that certain evidentiary rulings at his trial violated his psychotherapist-patient privilege and his right to con*509frontation. As will appear, we conclude that both points are well taken and compel reversal of the judgment.

During a 15-month period ending May 1981 defendant allegedly engaged in various acts of fondling, mutual masturbation, and oral copulation with his stepdaughter Sarah.1 When Sarah’s mother—defendant’s wife—learned of these activities she arranged for her…