Olden v. Kentucky
United States Supreme Court
488 U.S. 227 (1988)
Olden (defendant), charged with kidnapping, rape, and forcible sodomy after a sexual encounter he claimed was consensual, sought to cross-examine complainant Matthews about her ongoing relationship with his half-brother Russell, arguing she had a motive to falsely claim assault to protect that relationship; the trial court excluded this evidence, apparently concerned about racial prejudice given Matthews was white and Russell Black. The jury acquitted Olden of kidnapping and rape but convicted him of forcible sodomy, and after the Kentucky Court of Appeals affirmed, Olden sought Supreme Court review.
Whether a criminal defendant charged with sexual assault has a Confrontation Clause right to cross-examine the complainant about a potential motive to lie about the alleged assault.