Tuesday, February 06, 2007

S.C. Court of Appeals affirms mistrial on grounds of witness coaching

In State v. Smith, a mistrial was granted in a sexual assault case because one of the victims was coached while he was testifying. The child's mother acted inappropriately making mouthing words to the child and shaking her head during his testimony. This coaching denied the accused of a fair trial and thus the grant of a mistrial was warranted.

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