State v. LaDouceur

UHLENHOPP, Justice.

The single issue before us in our further review of a decision by the court of appeals is whether the trial court abused its discretion in granting defendant James David LaDoueeur a new trial following his conviction by a jury of third-degree sexual abuse. The court of appeals by an equally divided vote upheld the trial court’s order.

I. On May 28, 1982, Veronica Sue Doyle was babysitting for defendant and his wife, Brenda LaDoueeur. Brenda arrived at home first, and told Veronica she could leave. Veronica arranged a ride with a friend, Pam Rannfeldt. As those two were…