State v. Johnson

LAKE, Justice.

The defendant was indicted on 28 February 1994 for first-degree statutory rape and taking indecent liberties with a child. The defendant was tried before a jury, and the jury found the defendant guilty of both offenses. Judge W. Osmond Smith III consolidated the offenses for judgment and sentenced defendant to a term of life imprisonment. The Court of Appeals determined that the trial court committed prejudicial error and that defendant is entitled to a new trial. The State appeals from that decision. For the reasons stated herein, we agree with the Court of Appeals and conclude…