Commonwealth v. Santiago

Tried by jury in Superior Court, the defendant, Luis Santiago, was convicted of two counts of aggravated rape (G. L. c. 265, § 22), assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (a knife) (G. L. c. 265, § 15A), and assault and battery *657(G. L. c. 265, § 13A).1 The defendant appeals, questioning the adequacy of the jury instructions regarding the victim’s “fresh complaints,” and the propriety of a ruling which limited cross-examination of the victim on her arrest record intended to show her bias or prejudice as a witness. This opinion deals sequentially with the trial record, instructions, and…