People v. Cooper

Defendant was convicted, after jury trial, of criminal sexual assault and predatory criminal assault of his younger adopted sister over many years. Evidence of victim's resulting pregnancy and abortion were directly relevant as products of crime charged. State's reference to abortion was specifically invited by defense counsel's closing questioning State's proof of procedure. Jury found Defendant's confession credible, and thus no reasonable probability that ouctcome would have been different if jury had been instructed that victim's letter to her friend, claiming that her boyfriend raped her, could be considered as substantive evidence. (HARRIS and CONNORS, concurring.)