William “Billy” Nichols Jr. is charged with double counts of DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide in the deaths of two nurses, Nancy and Holly Cummings, on Nov. 26, 2004. Nichols had a blood alcohol level of 0.13 to 0.15 when he lost control of his Ford F-250 truck. The legal…
DNA testing puts Orange Taylor III at the scene of the sexual assault and murder of Eastern Michigan University student Laura Dickinson. DNA expert witness Heather Vitta testified that Taylor’s DNA is a perfect match to semen stains found in her college dorm room. Expert witness Vitta, supervisor of the…
Lisa Montgomery is on trial in federal court in Kansas City for killing Bobbie Jo Stinnett in December 2004 and cutting her baby from her womb. Vilayanur Ramachandran, a brain expert witness researcher and California university professor, testified that Montgomery suffered from a delusion that she was pregnant. People with…
The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers says a judge erred in barring a defense expert witness while allowing two similar experts for the prosecution in the criminal conviction of Qwest Communications chief Joe Nacchio. The NACDL said the judge’s decision allowed government experts to be “effectively unchallenged.” CNNMoney.com also…
Dr. Charles Yancey is suing the American Academy of Ophthalmology and two doctors who filed a complaint against him for allegedly giving inaccurate testimony. Ophthalmology expert witness Dr. Yancey claims all three conspired to defame and intimidate him so he wouldn’t testify in other cases, according to the lawsuit filed…
Former OK state Sen. Gene Stipe’s mental competence could have significant ramifications beyond an effort to revoke his probation. A recent indictment against him on new charges also could be affected. Stipe’s competence is being questioned after a federal judge said Monday that a prison psychologist found Stipe to be…
While some may think expert witnesses are paid to say what lawyers wants them to say, these experts tell the real story: DNA expert witness Dr. Richard Saferstein says the legal system could not work without expert witnesses. “Expert witnesses such as myself are an important safeguard in the judicial…
Bristol University’s Institute of Child Life and Health is releasing a study this week which found that 9 out of 10 mothers whose babies suffered SIDS smoked during pregnancy. The study says women who smoke during pregnancy are four times more likely than non-smokers to see their child fall victim…
Maine’s Public Advocate Office has proposed conditions for a deal in which Fairpoint would acquire Verizon’s northern New England landline business. The 23 conditions were developed based on the examination by Public Advocate attorneys, their four expert witnesses, and thousands of pages of documents, and testimony in the case. Telecommunications…
Former Adelphia executives John and Tim Rigas filed a petition Wednesday to have their case heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. Adelphia former chairman John Rigas was sentenced in 2005 to 15 years in prison and his son, former chief financial officer Timothy Rigas was sentenced to 20 years in…