{ "id": 5569468, "name": "STATE of Arkansas v. Jose BLANDIN", "name_abbreviation": "State v. Blandin", "decision_date": "2007-05-10", "docket_number": "CR 06-1117", "first_page": "23", "last_page": "31", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "370 Ark. 23" }, { "type": "parallel", "cite": "257 S.W.3d 68" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ark.", "id": 8808, "name": "Arkansas Supreme Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 34, "name_long": "Arkansas", "name": "Ark." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "331 Ark. 263", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1604795 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1998, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/331/0263-01" ] }, { "cite": "456 N.W.2d 325", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.W.2d", "case_ids": [ 8668296 ], "year": 1990, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/wis-2d/155/0633-01" ] }, { "cite": "366 Ark. 152", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 3654568 ], "weight": 22, "year": 2006, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "158" }, { "page": "685" }, { "page": "158" }, { "page": "685" }, { "page": "158-59" }, { "page": "685" }, { "page": "158" }, { "page": "685" }, { "page": "158" }, { "page": "685" }, { "page": "158" }, { "page": "685" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/366/0152-01" ] }, { "cite": "329 Ark. 596", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 236215 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1997, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/329/0596-01" ] }, { "cite": "322 Ark. 167", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1447580 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1995, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/322/0167-01" ] }, { "cite": "350 Ark. 328", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1404519 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2002, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/350/0328-01" ] }, { "cite": "Ark. Code Ann. \u00a7 5-14-103", "category": "laws:leg_statute", "reporter": "Ark. Code Ann.", "weight": 2, "year": 2006, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "(a)(3)(A)" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "Ark. Code Ann. \u00a7 16-42-101", "category": "laws:leg_statute", "reporter": "Ark. Code Ann.", "weight": 5, "year": 1999, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "(c)" }, { "page": "(b)", "parenthetical": "emphasis added" }, { "parenthetical": "c" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "250 Wis. 2d 466", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Wis. 2d", "case_ids": [ 11434074 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2002, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "explaining that the court adopted the five-factor test in order to balance the interests of the defendant and the complainant and to determine when a defendant's right to present a defense should supersede the state's interest in protecting the complainant" }, { "parenthetical": "explaining that the court adopted the five-factor test in order to balance the interests of the defendant and the complainant and to determine when a defendant's right to present a defense should supersede the state's interest in protecting the complainant" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/wis-2d/250/0466-01" ] }, { "cite": "348 Ark. 213", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 74163 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2002, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "holding that evidence of the victim's prior sexual encounters was irrelevant and thus inadmissible where the defendant had sexual intercourse with someone less than fourteen years of age" }, { "parenthetical": "holding that evidence of the victim's prior sexual encounters was irrelevant and thus inadmissible where the defendant had sexual intercourse with someone less than fourteen years of age" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ark/348/0213-01" ] }, { "cite": "357 Ark. 105", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 5405490 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2004, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "holding that evidence that minor victim had made prior sexual-abuse allegations against her former stepfather was inadmissible under the rape-shield statute" }, { "parenthetical": "holding that evidence that minor victim had made prior sexual-abuse allegations against her former stepfather was inadmissible under the rape-shield statute" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ark/357/0105-01" ] }, { "cite": "317 Ark. 532", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1443745 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1994, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ark/317/0532-01" ] }, { "cite": "456 N.W.2d 325", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.W.2d", "case_ids": [ 8668296 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1990, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/wis-2d/155/0633-01" ] }, { "cite": "366 Ark. 152", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 3654568 ], "weight": 10, "year": 2006, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "158" }, { "page": "685" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ark/366/0152-01" ] }, { "cite": "329 Ark. 596", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 236215 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1997, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ark/329/0596-01" ] }, { "cite": "350 Ark. 328", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1404519 ], "weight": 4, "year": 2002, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "333", "parenthetical": "citing Evans v. State, 317 Ark. 532, 878 S.W.2d 750 (1994)" }, { "page": "409", "parenthetical": "citing Evans v. State, 317 Ark. 532, 878 S.W.2d 750 (1994)" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ark/350/0328-01" ] }, { "cite": "Ark. Code Ann. \u00a7 16-42-101", "category": "laws:leg_statute", "reporter": "Ark. Code Ann.", "year": 1999, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "(c)" } ], "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "366 Ark. 152", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 3654568 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2006, "opinion_index": 2, "case_paths": [ "/ark/366/0152-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 778, "char_count": 20349, "ocr_confidence": 0.77, "pagerank": { "raw": 5.207966869300525e-08, "percentile": 0.32813187178094166 }, "sha256": "09dc3eed95f9664d13b84577f471bd4950630ff10f247ca43d9319e5fcc4a7de", "simhash": "1:b1cfc327e4b8c788", "word_count": 3347 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T22:32:56.927728+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "Corbin, Brown, and Gunter, JJ., concurring in part; dissenting in part.", "Gunter, J., joins." ], "parties": [ "STATE of Arkansas v. Jose BLANDIN" ], "opinions": [ { "text": "Annabelle Clinton Imber, Justice.\nThe State brings this interlocutory appeal pursuant to the rape-shield statute, Ark. Code Ann. \u00a7 16-42-101(c) (Repl. 1999), and Ark. R. App. P. - Crim. 3 (2006). Appellee Jose Blandin was charged under Ark. Code Ann. \u00a7 5-14-103 (Repl. 2006) with the anal rape of G.C., a nine-year-old girl. Prior to trial, Blandin requested a rape-shield hearing pursuant to section 16-42-101 (c). At the hearing, the circuit court granted the State\u2019s motion to introduce evidence, under Ark. R. Evid. 404(b) (2006), of G.C.\u2019s statements that, before the rape, Blandin rubbed on her vagina while she was taking a bath. In response, the defense requested permission to introduce evidence of G.C.\u2019s allegations of sexual abuse against three other men in order to show that G.C. obtained her sexual knowledge from a source other than Blandin. Namely, the defense wished to introduce statements G.C. made concerning three past incidents in which two men rubbed on her \u201cprivates\u201d and another man forcibly kissed her. Upon hearing the arguments of counsel and testimony from G.C. and Detective Marilyn Scott, the investigating officer in the instant case, the circuit court granted Blandin\u2019s motion. However, the circuit court limited the admission of the evidence to show (1) the time line of the prior allegations, and (2) the similarity and language that was used by the victim.\nPursuant to Ark. Code Ann. \u00a7 5-14-103(a)(3)(A), \u201ca person commits rape if he or she engages in sexual intercourse or deviate sexual activity with another person . . . [w]ho is less than fourteen (14) years of age.\u201d Generally, when a criminal defendant is charged with violating section 5-14-103(a)(3)(A) consent is not an issue, and the State must only prove that (1) the defendant engaged in intercourse or deviate sexual activity with the victim and (2) the victim was under fourteen (14) years of age at the time of the sexual act. See M.M. v. State, 350 Ark. 328, 88 S.W.3d 406 (2002).\nPursuant to the rape-shield statute, Ark. Code Ann. \u00a7 16-42-101, a criminal defendant is barred from introducing certain evidence to prove his or her defense:\n(b) [OJpinion evidence, reputation evidence, or evidence of specific instances of the victim\u2019s prior sexual conduct with the defendant or any other person, evidence of a victim\u2019s prior allegations of sexual conduct with the defendant or any other person, which allegations the victim asserts to be true, or evidence offered by the defendant concerning prior allegations of sexual conduct by the victim with the defendant or any other person if the victim denies making the allegations is not admissible by the defendant, either through direct examination of any defense witness or through cross-examination of the victim or other prosecution witness, to attack the credibility of the victim, to prove consent or any other defense, or for any other purpose.\nArk. Code Ann. \u00a7 16-42-101(b) (emphasis added). However, \u201cevidence directly pertaining to the act upon which the prosecution is based or evidence of the victim\u2019s prior sexual conduct with the defendant or any other person\u201d may be admitted at trial if the defendant files a written motion for a rape-shield hearing, and, following the hearing, the circuit court \u201cdetermines that the offered proof is relevant to a fact in issue, and that its probative value outweighs its inflammatory or prejudicial nature.\u201d Ark. Code Ann. \u00a7 16-42-101 (c) (emphasis added).\nThe purpose of the rape-shield statute is to protect victims of rape or sexual abuse from the humiliation of having their personal conduct, unrelated to the pending charges, paraded before the jury and the public when such conduct is irrelevant to the defendant\u2019s guilt. Harris v. State, 322 Ark. 167, 907 S.W.2d 729 (1995). The circuit court is vested with a great deal of discretion in ruling whether evidence is relevant and admissible under the exception to the rape-shield statute. Graydon v. State, 329 Ark. 596, 953 S.W.2d 45 (1997). Accordingly, we will not overturn the circuit court\u2019s decision unless it constituted clear error or a manifest abuse of discretion. Id.\nWe have generally held that when consent is not an issue, the victim\u2019s prior sexual conduct with another person is entirely collateral. See M.M. v. State, supra. Nevertheless, in our recent opinion in State v. Townsend, 366 Ark. 152, 233 S.W.3d 680 (2006), we recognized that evidence of a child victim\u2019s prior sexual conduct could be relevant to rebut the weighty inference that the victim must have received his or her knowledge of sexual matters from the alleged encounters with the defendant. See id.\nIn Townsend, we adopted a five-factor test from Pullizzano v. State, 456 N.W.2d 325 (Wis. 1990), for determining whether evidence of a child victim\u2019s prior sexual conduct is admissible for the limited purpose of proving an alternative source for the child\u2019s sexual knowledge. For the evidence to be admissible, the defendant must offer proof\n(1) that the prior act clearly occurred; (2) that the acts closely resembled those of the present case; (3) that the prior act is clearly relevant to a material issue; (4) that the evidence is necessary to the defendant\u2019s case; (5) that the probative value of the evidence outweighs its prejudicial effect.\nState v. Townsend, 366 Ark. at 158, 233 S.W.3d at 685. In adopting the Pulizzano factors, we stated,\n[T]his analytical approach has merit when ruling on the admissibility of a child\u2019s previous sexual experiences. We also believe that a comparison of the child\u2019s descriptions of the respective sexual encounters is relevant in cases such as these, because if a description is given after the first incident but before the second, it provides a basis for assessment and comparison of the child\u2019s degree of sexual knowledge at the time of each incident. Also, the use of common or similar terms or phrases by the child in various descriptions may indicate a congruent similarity of acts in different incidents, and is therefore relevant. The similarity requirement makes it more likely that the sexual knowledge displayed by a victim in one case was actually derived from a prior encounter, and that assumption is essential to the defendant\u2019s argument in these situations.\nTownsend, 366 Ark. at 158, 233 S.W.3d at 685.\nThe State argues that the evidence of G.C.\u2019s prior allegations does not satisfy the Townsend test because Blandin never proved that the allegations were relevant to his defense or even to the act for which Blandin was charged \u25a0\u2014 rape. Blandin, on the other hand, argues that G.C.\u2019s use of similar language to describe both the prior abuse and her alleged encounters with him is relevant to show that he did not commit the charged act. Blandin also argues that because this court has held that the testimony of a rape victim is sufficient to sustain a rape conviction, see Williams v. State, 331 Ark. 263, 962 S.W.2d 329 (1998), G.C.\u2019s testimony about the prior allegations is sufficient to prove that the prior allegations were true and the prior incidents of sexual abuse did actually occur. We agree with the State and reverse and remand.\nEven assuming, without deciding, that a victim\u2019s testimony as to prior sexual acts is sufficient to prove that the prior acts actually occurred, the evidence here still does not satisfy the second factor under Townsend. In that case, Townsend was charged with raping his six-year-old step-granddaughter. See State v. Townsend, supra. When explaining the acts Townsend performed on her, the victim used graphic descriptions, including descriptions of positions he placed her in, how he penetrated her, how he disrobed her, where the abuse took place, and detailed descriptions of Townsend\u2019s penis. Id. For rebuttal, the circuit court allowed Townsend to introduce the victim\u2019s statements concerning how another man abused her when she was four years old. Id. In those statements, however, the victim used vague terms such as \u201chis thingy,\u201d and the victim\u2019s language was unclear as to whether the prior perpetrator ever penetrated the victim or whether the victim and perpetrator were clothed when the incident occurred. Id.\nWe reversed on the second factor \u2014 the similarity of the prior incident to the charged act. Id. After examining the victim\u2019s descriptions of both incidents we concluded that \u201c[the victim\u2019s] descriptions of the two incidents are substantially dissimilar as to definition and terminology, which supports the conclusion that [the victim] acquired her current stock of sexual knowledge after the first incident, and the respective descriptions show little similarity between the two acts described.\u201d Id. at 158-59, 233 S.W.3d at 685 (2006).\nLikewise, here the victim\u2019s descriptions of the prior abuse and the charged act are very dissimilar. In her allegations of prior abuse, G.C. stated that her Grandpa Larry \u201crubbed on her private spot\u201d when she was five (5) years old and, at some point later, her Uncle James \u201cwiped in her private spot\u201d while she was bathing. Finally, G.C. alleged that in December 2005, a man named Carlos, who was living in her mother\u2019s home, pushed her onto the couch and kissed her. However, when she described Blandin\u2019s actions toward her, G.C. stated that Blandin \u201crubbed on her privates\u201d while she was bathing and later \u201cstuck his privates into [her] butt.\u201d\nThe acts described by G.C. are strikingly dissimilar. When G.C. described the prior abusers she simply stated that the men rubbed on her private area, but, with regard to Blandin, she described a completely different act \u2014 anal rape. If anything, the shift in G.C.\u2019s descriptions from that of a man touching her genitalia to Blandin\u2019s male genitalia penetrating her anus implies an evolution in her sexual knowledge after her alleged encounters with Blandin. Moreover, although G.C. did use similar language and describe similar acts in her statements regarding both Uncle James and Blandin rubbing on her \u201cprivates\u201d during her bath, the statement concerning Blandin was only introduced as a prior bad act under Rule 404(b) and did not describe the charged crime.\nAdditionally, the evidence of G.C.\u2019s allegations of prior abuse is inadmissible for another reason. As previously quoted above, in Townsend we adopted the five-factor test because \u201ca comparison of the child\u2019s descriptions of the respective sexual encounters is relevant in cases such as these, because if a description is given after the first incident but before the second, it provides a basis for an assessment and comparison of the child\u2019s degree of sexual knowledge at the time of each incident.\u201d State v. Townsend, 366 Ark. at 158, 233 S.W.3d at 685 (2006). In Townsend, we examined statements the victim made to police when she was four years old and statements she made two years later. See id. In the instant case, however, no evidence was presented as to G.C.\u2019s statements at the time that the alleged prior abuse occurred. Instead, the testimony at the hearing only related what G.C. said during her interview with Detective Scott and not what she said after each alleged incident of prior abuse. Thus, the purpose of the test \u2014 to compare the similarity of G.C.\u2019s statements made prior to the occurrence of the charged acts with those statements made after the charged acts \u2014 was frustrated in this case.\nAccordingly, we conclude that, under our Townsend analysis, the evidence of G.C.\u2019s allegations of prior abuse is not relevant to the current rape charge against Blandin. The circuit court clearly erred in ruling otherwise. Therefore, we reverse the court\u2019s order granting Blandin\u2019s motion under the rape-shield statute and remand the case for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.\nReversed and remanded.\nCorbin, Brown, and Gunter, JJ., concurring in part; dissenting in part.\nJustice Corbin\u2019s concurring and dissenting opinion attempts to circumvent the statutory scheme of Ark. Code Ann. \u00a7 16-42-101 through its argument that prior sexual conduct of a child victim is \u201csimply not relevant.\u201d As quoted above, while subsection (b) of that statute generally prohibits the admission of evidence of a victim\u2019s prior sexual conduct, subsection (c) provides an exception to that prohibition by way of a rape-shield hearing. The text of section 16-42-101 does not exclude child victims from the application of subsection (c). When the victim is a child, State v. Townsend, infra, simply provides a framework for circuit courts to use in conjunction with section 16-42-101(c).\nDespite any protest to the contrary, the Townsend court clearly explained why a child victim\u2019s descriptions of prior sexual abuse may be relevant. We stated that a comparison of the victim\u2019s descriptions of the prior and current sexual abuse could tend to show the victim\u2019s \u201cdegree of sexual knowledge at the time of each incident\u201d and thereby mitigate the assumption that the victim obtained his or her current sexual knowledge from the defendant. State v. Townsend, supra, 366 Ark. at 158, 233 S.W.3d at 685 (2006). In fact, Justice Corbin\u2019s concurring and dissenting opinion cites a portion of our reasoning as to why such evidence may be relevant, but the dissent omits the very next sentence, which states \u201c[t]he similarity requirement makes it more likely that the sexual knowledge displayed by a victim in one case was actually derived from a prior encounter, and that assumption is essential to the defendant\u2019s argument in these situations.\u201d Id. at 158, 233 S.W.3d at 685 (2006).\nAt this juncture, we would point out that, even though Justice Corbin calls for this court to overturn Toumsend, neither party has asked us to overrule our decision in that case.", "type": "majority", "author": "Annabelle Clinton Imber, Justice." }, { "text": "Donald L. Corbin, Justice,\nconcurring in part, dissenting in part. While I agree with the outcome in the present case, I write separately to emphasize my belief that this court\u2019s decision in State v. Townsend, 366 Ark. 152, 233 S.W.3d 680 (2006), should be overruled. Originally, I joined in the majority opinion in Townsend, but upon further reflection, I have come to the conclusion that our decision in that case mns contrary to the overall intent of the rape-shield statute, codified at Ark. Code Ann. \u00a7 16-42-101(c) (Repl. 1999).\nIt has long been recognized that the purpose of the rape-shield statute is to shield victims of rape or sexual abuse from the humiliation of having their sexual conduct, unrelated to the charges pending, paraded before the jury and the public when such conduct is irrelevant to the defendant\u2019s guilt. Graydon v. State, 329 Ark. 596, 953 S.W.2d 45 (1997). Moreover, as the majority correctly points out, this court has held that evidence intended to impeach a victim\u2019s credibility is improper under the rape-shield statute, especially in cases in which the defendant is accused of raping someone under the age of fourteen, because \u201c[w]hen consent is not an issue, whether the victim had sexual relations with another person is \u2018entirely collateral.\u2019 \u201d M.M. v. State, 350 Ark. 328, 333, 88 S.W.3d 406, 409 (2002) (citing Evans v. State, 317 Ark. 532, 878 S.W.2d 750 (1994)). Despite this clearly stated precedent, our court in Townsend, 366 Ark. 152, 233 S.W.3d 680, carved out an exception that now allows a defendant to delve into a victim\u2019s prior sexual contact thereby subjecting victims to even more humiliation and degradation.\nA review of our decision in Townsend reveals that it is a significant departure from this court\u2019s previous conclusions that evidence of a minor victim\u2019s prior sexual activity is not relevant or admissible in a subsequent court proceeding. See, e.g., Standridge v. State, 357 Ark. 105, 161 S.W.3d 815 (2004) (holding that evidence that minor victim had made prior sexual-abuse allegations against her former stepfather was inadmissible under the rape-shield statute); M.M., 350 Ark. 328, 88 S.W.3d 406 (holding that evidence of prior sexual history of a nine-year-old child was not admissible in defendant\u2019s trial for rape because it was irrelevant); and Ridling v. State, 348 Ark. 213, 72 S.W.3d 466 (2002) (holding that evidence of the victim\u2019s prior sexual encounters was irrelevant and thus inadmissible where the defendant had sexual intercourse with someone less than fourteen years of age). Despite this court\u2019s clearly established precedent that prior sexual history is particularly irrelevant in cases involving a victim less than fourteen years of age, the court in Townsend, 366 Ark. 152, 233 S.W.3d 680, chose to look to other jurisdictions to determine whether evidence that the victim had been previously raped when she was four years of age was somehow admissible. Ultimately, this court decided to adopt the test set out by the Wisconsin Supreme Court in State v. Pulizzano, 155 Wis. 2d 633, 456 N.W.2d 325 (1990), to answer the issue raised in Townsend. I now realize the error in this approach. In adopting the Pulizzano factors, this court stated:\nWe think that this analytical approach has merit when ruling on the admissibility of a child\u2019s previous sexual experiences. We also believe that a comparison of the child\u2019s descriptions of the respective sexual encounters is relevant in cases such as these, because if a description is given after the first incident but before the second, it provides a basis for an assessment and comparison of the child\u2019s degree of sexual knowledge at the time of each incident. Also, the use of common or similar terms or phrases by the child in the various descriptions may indicate a congruent similarity of the acts in different incidents, and is therefore relevant.\n366 Ark. at 158, 233 S.W.3d at 685. It is interesting to me that while this court announced that a child\u2019s prior sexual knowledge is now relevant, the opinion made no effort to explain how it is relevant.\nSimply put, this court should overrule Townsend and the test it adopted because evidence of prior sexual conduct of a victim less than fourteen years of age is simply not relevant or admissible. Moreover, the Pulizzano test was originally adopted by the Wisconsin court in the limited context of a finding that the defendant\u2019s rights to confrontation and compulsory process were denied where she was prohibited from presenting evidence of a minor victim\u2019s prior sexual assault that the court deemed to be relevant. See State v. Dunlap, 250 Wis. 2d 466, 640 N.W.2d 112 (2002) (explaining that the court adopted the five-factor test in order to balance the interests of the defendant and the complainant and to determine when a defendant\u2019s right to present a defense should supersede the state\u2019s interest in protecting the complainant). In adopting the test in Townsend, 366 Ark. 152, 233 S.W.3d 680, this court took the test out of context, and it can now be used by defendants to impeach the credibility of minor victims by delving into their sexual histories. Because I believe that Townsend is a significant departure from this court\u2019s well-established precedent, I believe it should be overruled.\nConcurring in part; dissenting in part.", "type": "concurring-in-part-and-dissenting-in-part", "author": "Donald L. Corbin, Justice," }, { "text": "L. Brown, Justice,\nconcurring in part, dissenting in part. I, too, would reverse and remand, but I would do so to require the circuit judge to first perform the Townsend analysis. See State v. Townsend, 366 Ark. 152, 233 S.W.3d 680 (2006). In Townsend, this court adopted five factors to be used by the circuit judges of this state for determining prior knowledge of a child of sexual events and terminology. In the case before us today, the circuit judge did not make the findings or conclusions, as required by Townsend.\nThe majority does the analysis for the circuit judge, including making findings under Townsend and reaching conclusions, which is totally at odds with our role as an appellate court. We would be better served remanding the case and requiring the circuit judge to make the necessary findings. This could be done by the judge solely based on the record of the rape-shield hearing that has already taken place and would not cause an inordinate delay.\nFor this reason, I concur in the result but I disagree with the majority\u2019s reasoning for doing so.\nGunter, J., joins.", "type": "concurring-in-part-and-dissenting-in-part", "author": "L. Brown, Justice," } ], "attorneys": [ "Dustin McDaniel, Att\u2019y Gen., by: Nicana C. Sherman, Ass\u2019t Att\u2019y Gen., for appellant.", "William O. \u201cBill\u201d James, Jr., for appellee." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "STATE of Arkansas v. Jose BLANDIN\nCR 06-1117\n257 S.W.3d 68\nSupreme Court of Arkansas\nOpinion delivered May 10, 2007\nDustin McDaniel, Att\u2019y Gen., by: Nicana C. Sherman, Ass\u2019t Att\u2019y Gen., for appellant.\nWilliam O. \u201cBill\u201d James, Jr., for appellee." }, "file_name": "0023-01", "first_page_order": 47, "last_page_order": 55 }