State v. Giroux

Raymond Giroux was convicted, after a jury trial, of sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl in violation of 13 V.S.A. § 3252(3). * He raises numerous claims of error on appeal. We reverse and remand for a new trial because of error in the court’s jury instructions on reasonable doubt. We also reach those other points likely to be raised on remand.

In early August, 1985, defendant’s daughter Christina, nine years old, and the alleged victim, were camping out in a tent in the back yard. Christina was unable to get to sleep and asked her father to stay with her for a while. Defendant did so, and…