Smith v. State

SHEPARD, Justice.

Appellant Lyle Smith was tried before the court and found guilty of rape, a class A felony, Ind.Code 35-42-4-1 (Burns 1984 Supp.). The judge imposed a prison term of thirty years. Smith raises two issues in this direct appeal:(1) Whether the evidence sufficiently identifies him as the perpetrator who forcibly compelled the victim to have sexual intercourse, and (2) Whether appellant's confession was induced by a police officer's promise to obtain mental health assistance for him.

The evidence at trial revealed that on July 12, 1984, Smith knocked at the victim's door and…