Expert Witnesses Key in Detroit Teen Murder Verdict

Earlier this month, jurors in Detroit found homeowner Theodore Wafer guilty of second-degree murder, manslaughter, and a felony firearm charge for fatally shooting 19-year-old Renisha McBride when she banged on his door after crashing her car. Throughout Wafer’s trial, a variety of expert witnesses testified by explaining the issues that were critical in helping jurors […]

Sheriff’s Racial Profiling Trial Features Expert Witness Testimony

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a civil lawsuit against Sheriff Terry Johnson, who operates in Alamance County, NC, for racially profiling minority drivers in traffic stops throughout his jurisdiction. The trial in the case of United States v Sheriff Terry Johnson will depend heavily on expert witness testimony, and both sides have made […]

McDonnell Corruption Trial to Rely on Expert Witness Testimony

The high profile corruption trial of former Virginia governor Bob McDonnell and his wife Maureen is underway, and will feature critical testimony from expert witnesses. Both sides will present expert testimony on a range of topics including computer data, finances and accounting, and Virginia’s laws of gift disclosure required by public servants. Although the jurors […]

DOJ Requests EPA Expert Witness Be Removed Over Conflict of Interest

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has requested that former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) official Jeffrey Holmstead be barred from testifying in a federal trial against utility company, Ameren Missouri. Holmstead, who has knowledge of EPA enforcement proceedings, has been accused of having confidential information resulting in a conflict of interest that, according to the DOJ, […]

6th Circuit Admits Contradictory Expert Witness Testimony

Last week, the federal 6th Circuit Court of Appeals issued an interesting ruling on expert witness testimony when it approved of an expert who directly contradicted the party who hired him. In Lee v Smith & Wesson Corp., the 6th Circuit determined that if an expert witness satisfies the Federal Rule of Evidence 702 qualifications, as articulated […]

Expert Witness Approves Detroit’s Bankruptcy Plan

Earlier this month, the financial expert witness hired to review the City of Detroit’s bankruptcy restructuring plan approved of the strategy, but reminded city officials there is a long way to go.  Marti Kopacz, the financial expert hired by US Bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes to analyze Detroit’s recovery strategy, finalized her assessment in late July. […]

Peanut Contamination Criminal Trial to Rely on Expert Witnesses

The trial of three former Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) executives for allegedly causing a salmonella outbreak that killed 9 people and sickened over 700 more begins this week, and will feature key expert witness testimony in support of federal prosecutors.  Brothers Stewart and Michael Parnell, along with former PCA quality control manager Mary Wilkerson, […]

Racetrack Expert Witness Confirms Speedway Safety in Injury Lawsuit

Former sprint-car racer John Westbrook filed a lawsuit seeking financial compensation for injuries that confined him to a wheelchair he suffered during an accident at nationally renowned dirt-car track, Williams Grove Speedway.  As the adequacy of Williams Grove’s safety measures were a key point of contention, the trial featured testimony of racetrack safety expert witnesses […]

Expert Witnesses Debated Bryan Stow Life Expectancy

Earlier this month a Los Angeles jury awarded injured baseball fan Bryan Stow $13.9 million in a civil suit brought on his behalf.  Significant in determining the appropriate damages was the jury’s assessment of Mr. Stow’s life expectancy, a decision that was aided by use of medical expert witnesses who diagnosed Bryan’s condition and projected […]

Federal Appeals Court Reinforces Importance of Reliable Expert Testimony

Earlier this year, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling on expert witness testimony that reminds parties that an expert must not only be qualified, but must be prepared to offer reliable testimony.  In dismissing a defective drug lawsuit, the 6th Circuit pointed out that the plaintiff’s expert, although capable, failed to present […]