Miranda v. State

Defendant, an adult, was charged with sexual battery on his niece (by marriage), then under 12. The case went to trial before separate juries on three occasions, the last trial resulting in a guilty verdict.

The victim was 7 when, as she testified, abuse began and continued for 3 or 4 years. At age 11 she gave a statement to police, who began a full investigation. She was seen by health care professionals at the Sexual Assault Treatment Center, who found no medical evidence confirming or negating abuse. Testimony at trial centered on the victim, then in her mid-teens, and two slightly older…