Alleged molestation victim to be examined
An alleged victim of molestation will only undergo one psychological examination, a judge ordered during a hearing Wednesday at the Stark County Courthouse.
An alleged victim of molestation will only undergo one psychological examination, a judge ordered during a hearing Wednesday at the Stark County Courthouse.
“We’re not going to subject a child to a whole bunch of different psychological exams,” Judge William Herauf said. “I want to be fair to this child.”
The girl was 8 years old when Cody Buffalo allegedly had sexual contact with her on multiple occasions in 2011 in New England, according to records.
Attorney Ashley Holmes said similar cases often subject victims to at least two psychological examinations “therefore putting the victim through added emotional trauma and psychological distress.”
She said the request for one exam is to limit that impact, but Buffalo’s attorney Thomas Murtha IV said he shouldn’t have to agree to the request.
“They’re asking the defendant to agree to something when we don’t even know what’s going to come out of this particular examination,” Murtha said. “I’m uncomfortable agreeing to that. I don’t think it’s appropriate to do that to a defendant before we know anything.”
Herauf gave Holmes and Murtha a week to agree on an examiner. If they cannot agree, Herauf will decide on one for them.
Buffalo is charged with Class AA felony gross sexual imposition and faces a maximum punishment of life in prison without parole.
He is out on 10 percent of a $5,000 bond, according to records.
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