Chambie

—Defendant Norris Chambie appeals from a judgment of conviction based upon a jury verdict finding him guilty of forcible oral copulation, in violation of Penal Code section 288a, and forcible rape, in violation of Penal Code section 261, subdivision (2).

The Facts

LaSherell W. testified that on the afternoon of December 12, 1983, less than three weeks after her 15th birthday, defendant Norris Chambie, whom she knew slightly, stopped her on the street and told her that she “was going to suck his dick.” He then dragged her into a deserted backyard, repeatedly hitting her in the face whenever she struggled or tried to talk to him. Once inside the backyard, defendant forced LaSherell to orally copulate him and he then raped her. During the course of this sexual assault, defendant continued to hit LaSherell in the face whenever she resisted or asked why he was treating her in this manner. He also struck her on the leg with a piece of wood and called her a bitch. Defendant finally released LaSherell after making her promise to tell no one what had happened.

LaSherell testified that shortly after defendant released her, she went to the home of a girlfriend, Martel H., and…