State Of Washington v. Arturo Cayetano-jaimes

Leach, J. —

¶1 Arturo Cayetano-Jaimes appeals his conviction for rape of a child in the first degree. He contends that the trial court’s refusal to allow him to present the testimony of the victim’s mother by telephone violated his constitutional right to present a complete defense. Because this unavailable witness’s testimony was relevant and highly probative and the State did not show its admission would disrupt the fairness of the fact-finding process, the trial court abused its discretion by excluding it. Because the State cannot show that this error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt,…