Nebraska court: Woman must testify in rape case
May 11, 2012, 5:13 PM
Associated Press
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – The Nebraska Supreme Court says a Kansas woman can be sent to jail for refusing to testify against the Nebraska man she has accused of sexual assault.
The woman had refused to testify, saying it would shame her and her family. But a Nebraska judge ordered her last year to take the stand or face 90 days in jail, saying her testimony was important to the case.
The Associated Press does not name victims of sexual assault.
The state’s highest court upheld the judge’s decision Friday, saying a state law that allows witnesses to decline to testify when they would be shamed or publicly disgraced doesn’t apply in criminal cases.
Lancaster County Attorney Joe Kelly says his office will speak with the woman before deciding how to proceed.
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