In determining whether a statement possesses particularized guarantees of trustworthiness pursuant to Section 15-25-32, the court shall consider any of the following factors:
- (1) The witness’s personal knowledge of the event.
- (2) The age and maturity of the witness.
- (3) Certainty that the statement was made, including the credibility of the person testifying about the statement;.
- (4) Any apparent motive the witness may have to falsify or distort the event, including bias, corruption, or coercion.
- (5) The timing of the statement.
- (6) Whether more than one person heard the statement.
- (7) Whether the witness was suffering from pain or distress when making the statement.
- (8) The nature and duration of any alleged abuse.
- (9) Whether the witness’s young age or status as a protected person pursuant to Section 15-25-1 makes it unlikely that the witness fabricated a statement that represents a graphic, detailed account beyond the witness’s knowledge and experience.
- (10) Whether the statement is spontaneous or directly responsive to questions.
- (11) Whether the statement is suggestive due to improperly leading questions.
- (12) Whether extrinsic evidence exists to show the defendant’s opportunity to commit the act complained of in the witness’s statement.
(Acts 1989, No. 89-876, p. 1754, §7; Act 2022-201, §2.)