State v. Stowers

An expert witness’s testimony that the behavior of an alleged child victim of sexual abuse is consistent with behavior observed in sexually abused children is admissible under the Ohio Rules of Evidence. Therefore, the trial court did not abuse its discretion by admitting Dr. Tener’s testimony.

According to the appellate court’s formulation of the issue certified to this court, if the expert testimony at issue is inadmissible, it is because it “impermissibly conveys to the jury the expert’s belief the child was actually abused.” It is permissible, however, for an expert to convey this belief…