Under lead defense lawyer
Vincent J. Fuller's direct examination, Tyson claimed that everything had taken place with Washington's full cooperation and he claimed not to have forced himself upon her. When he was cross-examined by lead prosecutor Gregory Garrison, Tyson denied claims that he had misled Washington and insisted that she wanted to have sex with him.
[70] Tyson was convicted on the rape charge on February 10, 1992 after the jury deliberated for nearly 10 hours.
[71]
Alan Dershowitz, acting as Tyson's counsel, filed an appeal urging error of law in the Court's exclusion of evidence of the victim's past sexual conduct, the exclusion of three potential defense witnesses, and the lack of a jury instruction on honest and reasonable mistake of fact.
[72] The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled against Tyson in a 2–1 vote.
[72]