Commonwealth v. King

The defendant, Thomas S. King, appeals from his convictions of forcible rape of a child under sixteen years, G. L. c. 265, § 22A, and indecent assault and battery of a child under fourteen years, G. L. c. 265, § 13B. In part, the defendant argues that the trial judge improperly admitted the testimony of two “fresh complaint” witnesses. Under the fresh complaint doctrine in effect at the time of trial, the Commonwealth was permitted to introduce out-of-court statements seasonably made by the victim after the alleged sexual assault for the purpose of corroborating her own testimony concerning…