|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
State Rep. Mike Sturla Chairman, Majority Policy Committee |
State Rep. Cherelle Parker D-Philadelphia Hearing Co-Chair |
Majority Policy Committee examines the use of expert testimony
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 12 – The House Majority Policy Committee held a public hearing today at the Lutheran Theological Seminary regarding the use of expert testimony in the prosecution of sexual assault cases, committee Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, reported.
The hearing was requested and co-chaired by state Rep. Cherelle Parker, D-Phila.
"This hearing explored justice issues related to sexual assault cases that are not often talked about, and I applaud Representative Parker for bringing this issue to light for the Policy Committee," Sturla said. "The experts that testified did a good job of explaining the history behind the prohibition of using expert testimony in certain cases."
Parker added, "Pennsylvania is the only state that bans expert testimony about behaviors of sexual assault victims. Our state supreme court has maintained that a sex crimes expert's testimony improperly bolsters the credibility of the victim and is therefore inadmissible. I find that hard to believe since it allows for jurors who may not have the background to determine what is behind certain behaviors and actions displayed by victims. Because many jurors may not be trained to make those determinations, I truly believe this process violates the victims twice. It is incumbent upon lawmakers to ensure that doesn't happen, ever."
Those testifying included Joyce Lukima, deputy director of Field Services, PA Coalition Against Rape; Dr. Veronique Valliere, psychologist, Valliere & Counseling Associates, Inc.; Jill Maier, director of Counseling Services, Women Organized Against Rape; Mary Walsh, executive director, Coalition of PA Crime Victim Organizations; Kris Ballerini, member, Coalition of PA Crime Victim Organizations' Speaker Series; Deborah Harley, chief of Family Violence/Sexual Assault Unit, PA District Attorneys Association; John Darby, captain, commanding officer, Special Victims Unit, Philadelphia Police Department; Kristie Thomas, assistance director, Evelyn Jacobs Ortner Center at the University of Pennsylvania; and Lynn Hecht Schafran, director, National Judicial Education Program.
For more information about the Policy Committee or hearing materials, visit www.pahouse.com/PolicyCommittee.
###