Alexander v. State

Per Curiam. Levi Alexander, the appellant, was convicted of rape in the Criminal Court of Baltimore, Judge Albert L. Sklar presiding without a jury. Alexander now complains that the trial court erred in not allowing certain testimony as to the reputation of the prosecutrix; in not allowing testimony as to the accused’s character; and that the evidence was not sufficient to support the verdict. Etta Coleman, the prosecuting witness, testified that on May 2, 1966 she left her home at about 12:30 or 12:45 in the morning to go to the Avenue Cut-Rate Store for a pack of cigarettes and a can of beer.

On the way from the store, which is a few blocks from her home, she passed in front of the 1601 Bar where she saw Alexander. He propositioned the prosecutrix, but she ignored him. He was joined by two other men who then confronted her and took her past her home and up an alley where the three men, one with a knife, threatened her. All three men had sexual intercourse with her.

On cross examination she denied drinking with the men or that she had agreed to have sexual relations for a sum of money. Alexander testified, along with one of the other assailants who was a co-defendant at the trial, 1 that the prosecutrix came into the 1601 Bar and sat down with the three of them and had several drinks, and she later offered to have relations with the three men for $5.00 each. However, the assailants attempted to have relations with her but were physicaly unable to do so. Alexander further testified that when he refused to pay her she swore vengeance. ²¹⁷ Alexander first complains that the trial court erred in not allowing him to testify as to the reputation of the prosecutrix.

The following colloquy occurred: “Q Your witness. Can I ask one more question? How long had you known Mrs. Coleman before this occurrence ? “A Five or six years. I live around there six years. “Q Did you ever hear other people discuss her reputation in the neighborhood ? “A Yes.

MR. GOLDBERG: We object. “A A whole lot of people. MR. FEIKIN: “Q What was her reputation as to moral conduct ?

MR. GOLDBERG: Objection. THE COURT: Sustained. MR.

FEIKIN: “Q What was her reputation as being a good or bad woman ? MR. GOLDBERG: Objection. THE COURT: Sustained.

MR. FEIKIN: “Q Did you hear anybody discuss her conduct ? “A Yes. MR. GOLDBERG: Yes.

Just answer the question yes or no. “A Yes. THE COURT: Next question. “Q MR. FEIKIN: Did they tell you what her reputation was ? MR.

GOLDBERG: Objection. THE COURT: Sustained.” In a rape case, if consent is an issue, the prosecutrix’s general character as to chastity or for truth and veracity is admissible, Humphreys v. State, 227 Md. 115, 175 A. 2d 777 , Giles v. State, 229 Md. 370, 183 A. 2d 359 . Before a witness can testify to reputation it must first be established that he knows the reputation in the community in which the prosecutrix lives for “truth ²¹⁸