State v. Randolph

Quaere: Is a reasonable and good faith —although mistaken — belief that the consenting female was 18 years of age or over a defense to a charge of carnal knowledge? The trial court said “No,” rejecting the proffered defense, and found Gregory Lee Randolph guilty. He appeals on the sole basis of the trial court’s refusal to consider the defense of a good faith belief that the prosecutrix was over the age of consent.

Appellant points out that his claim of error presents a matter of first impression in the appellate courts of this state and urges us to depart from the traditional and almost…