People v. Petrella

In People v. Petrella, 424 Mich 221, 238-239; 380 NW2d 11 (1985), the Court held that there was sufficient evidence of mental anguish where the victim was crying, hysterical, frightened, and experienced lack of sleep after the incident. Id. Furthermore, the victim was absent from her workplace and never stayed another night in the apartment where the rape took place. Id. In comparison, the Court in People v. Simpson, the companion case to Petrella, held that insufficient evidence of mental anguish was presented where the victim was crying after the rape, but went back to her apartment, took a couple of aspirins, and went to bed. Petrella, supra at 272-274. The victim testified that she did not report it to the police because she "just never really gave it too much thought." Id. at 272.