In re J.W.Y.
District of Columbia Court of Appeals
363 A.2d 674 (1976)
Facts
J.W.Y. (defendant), a juvenile, was charged with delinquency as a result of aiding and abetting an act of carnal knowledge of a 13-year-old girl (the complainant). At trial, the complainant testified that J.W.Y. helped another juvenile sexually assault her and that she had never had sexual relations before the assault. J.W.Y. sought to impeach the complainant by calling Roy S. and Robert S. to testify that they had consensual sexual relations with the complainant before the assault. The state (plaintiff) notified the court that Roy and Robert’s testimony would expose them to prosecution for their sexual activity. The court appointed counsel, and Roy and Robert, on their counsel’s advice, asserted their privilege against self-incrimination. The court excused Roy and Robert from testifying. J.W.Y. was found guilty, and he appealed. One argument on appeal was that the state improperly pressured Roy and Robert into asserting their privilege against self-incrimination, denying J.W.Y. his right to compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Harris, J.)
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