State v. Buss

Baker, A.C.J.

Patricia Buss appeals her conviction on one count of rape of a child in the first degree, RCW 9A.44.073. She contends the trial court erred in (1) admitting privileged statements she made to a "family minister” in violation of RCW 5.60.060(3), (2) refusing to allow her to cross-examine the victim’s mother concerning possible bias, and (3) denying her motion for a mistrial after a witness violated a court order to not make any reference to the victim’s sister. We hold that Buss’ statements were not privileged, that the denial of cross examination was harmless error, that a…