State v. Shearer

I agree that the court did not err when it limited defendant’s cross-examination of the victim’s mother. Defendant’s counsel’s initial question to her was: “What are your thoughts about [the victim’s] truthfulness and veracity?” Defendant, of course, could cross-examine the mother in order to impeach the victim’s credibility, OEC 608, and the mother could give her opinion of the victim’s character for truthfulness. OEC 608(1) (a). Her answer, “I believe he is telling the truth,” appears to refer to the truthfulness of the victim’s allegations against defendant. She should not have been…