Sanchez V. State

Following a jury trial, defendant was convicted of kidnapping, escape and two counts of rape. In a memorandum opinion the Court of Appeals reversed the rape conviction. State v. Sanchez, Ct. App. No. 7746 (Filed February 28, 1985). The Court of Appeals held that the trial court improperly restricted the defense's cross-examination of a prosecution witness, depriving defendant of his constitutional right to be confronted with any witnesses against him. The State petitioned this Court for a writ of certiorari (No. 15,811), contending that the Court of Appeals memorandum opinion is incorrect and should be reversed. Defendant also petitioned this Court for a writ of certiorari (No. 15,810), contending that the Court of Appeals was correct in reversing the rape conviction but also should have reversed the kidnapping and escape convictions on the same grounds. The Court of Appeals did not address those convictions in its memorandum opinion.