State v. Mayfield

The state petitions for review of the Court of Appeals’ reversal of defendant’s conviction for sodomy in the first degree. The state argues that the trial court did not err in admitting testimony describing defendant’s alleged sexual abuse of the alleged victim’s sister, which ruling was the basis for the Court of Appeals’ 5-to-4 decision reversing the trial court and remanding the case to the circuit court for a new trial. 80 Or App 305, 722 P2d 1250 (1986). We allowed review to clarify some basic concepts of relevancy. We affirm the Court of Appeals.

Defendant was indicted for sodomizing…