Bible v. State

Dissenting Opinion by

HARRELL, J.,

which MURPHY, J., joins.

It took the Washington County jury in this case 30 minutes to decide that Bible, a 49-year-old man, touched the buttocks of a 7-year-old female victim (while she was unescorted at the time and in the toy section of a store), for his sexual arousal or gratification, or to abuse the victim. The victim knew his conduct was wrong. Twelve jurors in Washington County quickly recognized that it was wrong. I submit that any reasonable juror would know it was wrong. The Court of Special Appeals agreed. Bible and the Majority see it otherwise (I…