The Psychological Toll of Being an Expert Witness

Courtroom

Experts witnesses, particularly in the field of mental health, may find themselves traumatized by their work. Maintaining objectivity and avoiding emotional turmoil can be a challenge for experts, both in and out of the courtroom. Withstanding cross-examination also takes its own toll on experts. Remaining Unbroken Megan Berthold, now a professor at the University of […]

Medical Experts Clash in Aggravated Vehicular Homicide Hearing

DUI, Beer, Car Keys

Medical experts clashed in a pretrial hearing for Zackery Brown, 22, who faces charges of aggravated vehicular homicide and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. The Crash On November 10, 2016, a tragic accident occurred on state Route 115, three miles south of the Putnam County line in Ohio. Zackery Brown, drove off the right […]

Arizona Supreme Court Affirms Decision About Expert Witnesses and Arizona Rule of Evidence 615

Arizona Legal System Concept

The Arizona Supreme Court has affirmed a trial court’s decision about whether an expert witness can be excluded from observing trial testimony or reviewing the testimony of other witnesses. In Emma Spring v. Timothy R. Bradford D.C., a patient sued her chiropractor, alleging medical malpractice. Emma Spring claimed that Timothy Bradford negligently performed a chiropractic […]

Experts Express Concern About Nevada Execution Drugs

Lethal injection

Nevada officials would like to use a new combination of drugs for the state’s first execution in more than a decade. Lethal injection experts around the country are expressing their concern. The Original Protocol In 1977, Oklahoma became the first state to adopt lethal injection execution. The three-drug protocol, developed by Dr. Jay Chapman, included […]

Experts Testify About Burner Phones and Facebook Messages in Murder/Arson Trial

Cell Phone Towers

Expert witnesses offered testimony about burner phones and Facebook messages in the trial of two men charged with arson and murder in Hamilton, Ohio. Patrick Wolterman’s Death At 1 a.m. on December 28, 2015, an alarm went off at the home of Lester and Bertha Parker.  The police officer who responded to the alarm discovered […]

Ethics Expert Helps Defendant Win Freedom After 23 Years in Prison

Ethics

In an unusual move, a team of defense attorneys relied on an expert in legal ethics to help win the freedom of a man who spent 23 years in prison for a double murder he probably did not commit. The case spotlighted ethical problems not just in the prosecution of Lamonte McIntyre, but systemic misconduct […]

Video Enhancement Expert Testifies in Steinle Murder Trial

Video Surveillance

A video enhancement expert provided testimony in the trial of a man charged with the fatal shooting of Kate Steinle. Shooting of Kate Steinle On July 1, 2015, Kate Steinle was walking with her father on San Francisco’s Pier 14 when a gun was fired. That bullet would ricochet off the pier and then strike […]

Blood Spatter Witness Testifies in Habeas Hearing

Blood-Splatter Expert Testimony Challenged in Murder Trial

An expert in blood spatter offered testimony in the habeas hearing of Brad Jennings, who was convicted of the murder of his wife, Lisa, in 2009. Death of Lisa Jennings Lisa Jennings was found dead of a gunshot wound early on Christmas morning in 2006. The Dallas County coroner initially ruled her death a suicide. […]

Forensic Psychiatrist Testifies in U.S. Army Deserter Hearing

Bowe Bergdahl

US Army deserter Bowe Bergdahl received a dishonorable discharge, but will avoid prison time. Bergdahl’s defense relied upon testimony from a forensic psychiatrist. Bergdahl’s Desertion Bowe Bergdahl was a Sergeant in the US Army who deserted his post in Afghanistan. Bergdahl was captured by the Taliban and held for five years until he was released […]