State v. Richmond

HARRIS, Justice.

The question in this appeal following a conviction of second-degree sexual abuse is whether it was reversible error to receive evidence of admissions by the accused recited in a conversation with a clergyman/eounselor. A ruling admitting the testimony is alternatively challenged as violating either the priest-penitent privilege or the counselor-client privilege under Iowa Code section 622.10 (1997). The trial court concluded the conversation was not privileged. The court of appeals majority found that, although the conversation was privileged, the conviction should be affirmed…