Curtis Johnson sexual assault case has Supreme Court hearing

MADISON (WITI) -- Curtis Johnson, an heir to the Johnson family household products fortune is battling charges of repeated sexual assault of a child and now, the case has a hearing in the state Supreme Court.

The question five Supreme Court justices will decide could affect sexual assault cases in Wisconsin in the future: Should a victim be compelled to open her psychological counseling records to the lawyers of her alleged attacker?

Johnson's lawyers want that to prepare a defense.

Johnson was not in court for the hearing on Monday, February 25th, but he has been no stranger to lower courts since he was charged with molesting a 15-year-old girl. Lower court rulings said the girl should let the judge look at her records, giving relevant parts to the defense. If she refuses, she cannot testify.

The girl and her mother live in Arizona now, and are refusing to release private records. The prosecution says if she cannot testify because of that, the case will most likely fall apart.

The Supreme Court justices will release an opinion by June 13th. Until then, the case against Johnson which began at least two years ago is put on hold.