Bonds v. State

David Newbern, Justice.

The appellant, Roger Bonds, was convicted of first degree sexual abuse of his thirteen year old niece. The jury imposed a four year imprisonment sentence and a $5000 fine. Bonds argues the Trial Court erred by (1) refusing to instruct the jury on carnal abuse in the third degree and sexual misconduct as lesser offenses included in rape, (2) allowing a minister, Danny Brown, to testify in violation of the religious privilege in Ark. R. Evid. 505(b) (1992), and (3) submitting a verdict form to the jury which incorrectly stated the minimum penalty for a Class C felony to…