Illinois Supreme Court
Civil Court
Cross-Examination
Defendant was convicted, after bench trial, of aggravated criminal sexual assault of minor female, age 13. Defendant's fifth amendment right against self-incrimination was not violated when trial court allowed State to cross-examine Defendant about prior assault of woman, age 21, with similar factual circumstances. Even though Defendant did not testify on direct examination about prior assault, cross-examination allowed State to discredit his consent defense and to test his credibility. (GARMAN, THOMAS, KILBRIDE, KARMEIER, BURKE, and THEIS, concurring.)