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State v. Traynor

Citations: 554 A.2d 797; 1989 Me. LEXIS 143

Court: Supreme Judicial Court of Maine; February 13, 1989; Maine; State Supreme Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

Richard Traynor appeals his convictions for unlawful sexual contact and assault following a jury trial in Cumberland County. The court affirms the judgments, finding no clear error in the determination that the child witnesses were competent to testify. The children were able to communicate effectively and displayed an understanding of the duty to tell the truth, as supported by precedent. Additionally, the court found no abuse of discretion regarding the rulings on discovery violations. Traynor waived the issue of sufficiency of evidence during oral argument, so it is not addressed in the decision. The judgments are affirmed with all justices concurring.

Legal Issues Addressed

Competency of Child Witnesses

Application: The court evaluated and affirmed the competency of the child witnesses to testify, based on their ability to communicate effectively and their understanding of the duty to tell the truth.

Reasoning: The court affirms the judgments, finding no clear error in the determination that the child witnesses were competent to testify. The children were able to communicate effectively and displayed an understanding of the duty to tell the truth, as supported by precedent.

Discovery Violations and Abuse of Discretion

Application: The court reviewed the rulings on alleged discovery violations and found no abuse of discretion, thereby upholding the trial court's decisions.

Reasoning: Additionally, the court found no abuse of discretion regarding the rulings on discovery violations.

Waiver of Sufficiency of Evidence Argument

Application: Traynor waived the issue of sufficiency of evidence during oral argument, and as a result, the court did not address this issue in its decision.

Reasoning: Traynor waived the issue of sufficiency of evidence during oral argument, so it is not addressed in the decision.