I thought this didn't pertain to minor children?
The right of children to avoid testifying in an open court with their abuser present vaires from state to state. However, the "hearsay" rule is a common law concept, and as far as I know, dead people are an exception to this rule in all 50 states. The rule stipulates that second-hand evidence is generally inadmissible, since testimony should come directly from the person whose words are being presented as evidence, both to permit cross-examination and to prevent false reports of what somebody said from being entered into evidence. However, when death or incapacity prevent direct delivery of key testimony, second hand and recorded statements can be admitted. I suspect this decision will be overturned on appeal.