F-2006-991
In OCCA case No. F-2006-991, Causey appealed his conviction for Lewd Molestation. In an unpublished decision, the court decided to reverse and remand for a new trial. One judge dissented. Causey was found guilty after a jury trial and given a 15-year prison sentence. He claimed there were several mistakes made during his trial. 1. He argued that the jury was not told he would have to serve 85% of his sentence. 2. He also said that the court let hearsay from the child victim be used against him without checking if it was trustworthy. 3. Causey felt he was not allowed to present his side of the story properly. 4. He criticized the decision to give instructions about flight, suggesting it was unfair. 5. He pointed out issues with witnesses who supported the victim’s truths, saying it affected the fairness of his trial. 6. He was concerned that the victim testified holding a doll, which he believed was inappropriate. 7. Causey said his lawyer did not do a good job because they did not try to stop the search of his home. 8. He claimed that all these mistakes combined made the trial unfair. The court agreed that the trial had serious errors, particularly with how hearsay was handled and the statements about the victim's truthfulness. These mistakes meant that Causey did not receive a fair trial. The court ordered that he should get a new trial and said that future juries should be informed about the 85% requirement of the sentence. They did not need to provide further solutions for other issues since the main decision was enough to overturn the case.