People v. Etter

The respondent was convicted of the crime of rape, charged to have been committed on a young girl, under the age of 14 years, on July 28, 1888. The principal contest on the trial was over the question of the girl’s age; it being conceded that the intercourse was had with her consent, if she was of an age to give legal consent. It was claimed by the prosecution that the girl became 14 years old October 13, 1888, whereas it was claimed by the respondent that she was a year older. The only evidence of intercourse prior to October 13, 1888, was given by the girl herself, who testified to two…