ALLEGAN, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan Supreme Court has ordered new trials for two men after finding that Allegan County juries were likely swayed by experts whose testimony went too far.
In a unanimous decision, the court said experts can’t tell a jury that children usually don’t lie when reporting sexual abuse. The court also said a doctor can’t give an opinion about whether an assault occurred if the conclusion simply is an opinion about the alleged victim’s truthfulness.
Justice Brian Zahra noted there was a dearth of evidence in the two cases, which made the experts’ testimony crucial for prosecutors.
Joshua Thorpe has been in prison for more than three years. Brandon Harbison was sent to prison in 2015.
- Posted July 15, 2019
- Tweet This | Share on Facebook
Supreme Court orders new trials for two men in Allegan County
headlines Oakland County
- Novemberfest in Ferndale
- Department to begin pilot program to provide navigators to assist families who have child support cases
- Veteran journalist and PR pro appointed to Lead Oakland County's public communications department
- Justices seem open to an attack on the Securities and Exchange Commission
- Michigan man accused of keeping dead wife in freezer sentenced to up to 8 years in prison
headlines National
- New Heights: ABA leaders share visions for the association’s future
- ACLU and BigLaw firm use ‘Orange is the New Black’ in hashtag effort to promote NY jail reform
- Judge Reinstates Class Certification of Marriott Guests in Breach Case
- Medical Technology: Recent Decisions At the Federal Circuit and the Patent Trial and Appeal Board
- University bias-response teams and more Munsingwear vacatur
- Justices divided over SEC’s ability to impose fines in administrative proceedings
