People v. Williams
Supreme Court of California
841 P.2d 961 (1992)
Relevant factsFree
The victim (staying at a homeless shelter) accompanied Williams (defendant) to what turned out to be a hotel room; she said Williams blocked the door, hit her, and threatened her until she submitted to intercourse, while Williams claimed the victim initiated and consented to the encounter. Williams was convicted of rape after the trial court refused to instruct the jury on a mistake-of-fact-as-to-consent defense, and the Court of Appeal reversed.
IssueFree
Whether mistake of fact as to consent is a defense to rape, and whether Williams was entitled to a jury instruction on that defense.