State v. Case

A jury found defendant, a married man age 27, guilty of what is commonly called statutory rape, in violation of section 698.1, Code, 1954. He has appealed from the judgment of conviction. The girl was Nancy Stepp, two days less than twelve years old.

On the night of June 22-23, 1954, defendant and his roommate Huss visited numerous taverns in Des Moines until nearly 1:30 a.m. Defendant then went to the apartment of a Mrs. Grundman with whom he was friendly but found she was not there. He lay down on a bed the State’s testimony shows was occupied by the girl, Nancy, who was “baby sitting” with…