Bridges v. State

19 N.W.2d 529 (Wis. 1945)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

D was a corporal in the United States Army. D was stationed at Truax Field as a permanent party, and he resided at 125 East Johnson Street in the city of Madison. On February 26, 1945, between 4 and 5 p. m., a man wearing a soldier's uniform committed an assault, under circumstances which clearly constituted the taking of indecent liberties with the person of the complaining witness, Sharon Schunk, a seven-year-old girl. While coming home from school and at a street corner, a soldier, who had been walking behind her, caught up to her and said 'Let's go across,' and took her by the hand. The soldier said he had some funny books and wanted her to do something for him; and finally, he had her enter a house and go into a second-floor room in which he then committed the assault. D denies ever speaking to Sharon or that he is the man who committed the assault. D relies principally upon testimony by himself and Mrs. Kitty Blood that during the entire morning and afternoon of February 26, 1945, he and his wife, Peggy Bridges, were alone in the second-floor front room at 125 East Johnson street, which they used as their home and rented from Mrs. Blood, who owned and also resided in the house. The issue at trial became corroboration that D committed the crime. Sharon testified about the details of her walk and the home she was taken into. She gave testimony about details of the room. After D was arrested, she was taken back to the room and confirmed the details again. P also sought to introduce testimony of the police and Sharon's mother of statements Sharon had made. The trial court admitted the testimony, and D was convicted. D appealed.