People v. Bridgeman CA3

BACKGROUND

Joseph E. moved with his mother to Sacramento after the death of Joseph’s father in 2004, when Joseph was eight years old. Joseph’s mother began dating defendant, a friend of Joseph’s father, in 2008. Defendant stayed with the mother and Joseph part time. Joseph initially had a good relationship with defendant. At some point, however, Joseph confided to a neighbor that defendant had forced Joseph to have sex with Joseph’s mother. The neighbor did not contact police but encouraged Joseph to tell someone at school. Joseph informed a teacher’s aide. A deputy sheriff interviewed Joseph at his school. Joseph told the deputy sheriff defendant forced him to have sex with his mother. Joseph said defendant held Joseph’s penis and had Joseph put his penis in his mother’s vagina. Joseph said defendant also made him kiss his mother’s private parts. Joseph told the officer the incident happened before July 4, 2008. Joseph also related that defendant made him put his penis in defendant’s mouth and anus, and defendant put his penis in Joseph’s anus. Joseph participated in a special assault forensic evaluation (SAFE) interview. He gave a detailed description of the sexual acts between…