State v. Baker

The State of Wisconsin (plaintiff) prosecuted Baker (defendant) for sexual acts with a minor, James A. The case turned entirely on whether the jury believed James A.'s account. Several of Baker's witnesses cast doubt on that account, and Baker also called a local clergyman who knew James A. to testify about his poor reputation for truthfulness. The trial judge sustained the state's objection and excluded that testimony. The jury convicted Baker, and he appealed, arguing exclusion of the clergyman's testimony was error.