by

Forensic psychology expert witness Dr. Robert C. Engle testified Wednesday in the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boise on the competency of convicted murderer Joseph Duncan. The hearing will determine whether Duncan was competent when he waived his right to appeal his death sentence in 2008. Duncan was sentenced to death for kidnapping and torturing two Idaho children before killing one of them. Dr. Engle has worked in hospitals, university counseling centers, children’s clinics and his own private practice.

by

Pesticides expert witnesses may write reports and testify on pesticide contamination, insects, pesticide products, and pest control. On its website, The Pesticide Action Network North America offers a link to the PAN International list of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs), the pesticides of highest concern for human and environmental health.

See http://www.panna.org/.

by

Finance expert witnesses may report and testify on corporate finance, financial analysis, financial databases, and related matters. In the news, Dennis Kelleher, President and Chief Executive Officer of the financial reform group Better Markets, said it is absurd that AIG may sue taxpayers over the terms of its bailout. Kelleher, previously a litigation partner with the international law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, also said however, that a lawsuit uncovering details of the bailout “might be a great public service.”

Better Markets is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that promotes the public interest in financial reform in the domestic and global capital and commodity markets.

by

On the Joelson Vail Associates LLC website, architecture expert witness Paul Joelson writes on the em>Top Violations in Disabled-access lawsuits.

Signs missing, wrong or incomplete. Example: A sign says that anyone parking illegally in accessible parking spots will be towed, but fails to name the towing company or provide a phone number.

Site barriers. Examples: A walkway has obstructions such as cracks or fire hydrants, making it difficult for a wheelchair to pass through. A parking lot lacks a defined path from the disabled parking to a sidewalk.

Continue reading

by

In Guidelines For The Expert Witness, Judge Timothy T. Daley, Family and Youth Court Judge Province of Nova Scotia, offers trial preparation guidelines including:

When testimony is finished, clarify status as witness.

It is the judge who permits the witness to leave the stand by excusing the witness. This means the witness is free to stay in the court or leave. The witness may however, be required to remain for further testimony or return as the court instructs. If the latter occurs and the witness has other matters to attend, the witness may explain this to the court and ask for another time to attend. The court may or may not grant the request.

Continue reading

by

Cardiology expert witnesses may provide reports concerning cardiologists, cardiovascular disease, and cardiac surgery. In the news, EMH Regional Medical Center, has agreed to pay $3.9M to settle accusations that it billed Medicare for unnecessary PCIs (Percutaneous coronary intervention, commonly known as coronary angioplasty). The DOJ accused the hospital and doctors of performing angioplasties and stent placement procedures on patients who did not need them. On its website EMH in Elyria, OH, advertises it “is one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Coronary Intervention and Cardiac Care!”

by

Pesticides expert witnesses may write reports and testify on pesticide contamination, insects, pesticide products, and pest control. On its website, The International HCH & Pesticides Association offers the title:

Obsolete (lethal) Pesticides, a ticking time bomb and why we have to act now.

Authors: John Vijgen, Director of the International HCH & Pesticides Association (IHPA)

Continue reading

by

In Guidelines For The Expert Witness, Judge Timothy T. Daley, Family and Youth Court Judge Province of Nova Scotia, offers trial preparation guidelines including:

Accept the unfamiliarity of testifying rules.

The main objections raised by counsel to expert testimony arise because of hearsay and a proper foundation for the opinions expressed. Objections may be to the question asked or the answer given. When an objection is raised, the witness should refrain from speaking until the court instructs otherwise. The witness should not attempt to justify comments unless asked to do so. The witness is not to respond to an objection, argue about comment or whether or not the evidence should be heard. After an objection is raised, the court rules on the objection and instructs counsel how to proceed.

Continue reading

by

Proprietary knowledge expert witnesses may testify on trade secrets, confidential information, patents, software , and related matters. On December 21, 2012, the Hewlett-Packard Company petitioned the Travis County District Court (TX), to take depositions from former HP executives Gregg Hansen and Todd MacKenzie. Grounds for the petition state:

On November 30, 2012, eighteen employees working in HP’s Global Information Technology (IT) organization in Austin, Texas, including Hansen and MacKenzie, resigned en masse and without notice (collectively, “departed employees”).

HP is investigating potential claims against executives and members of four teams within HP’s IT organization which moved to GM. At issue is HP confidential and proprietary information.

Continue reading

by

Products liability expert witnesses may consult on issues involving consumer products safety, consumer products warnings, and product design. In the news, the massive products liability case against ExxonMobil and Citgo is scheduled to go to trial on January 7, 2013 in U.S. District Court New Hampshire. The oil companies are charged with failing to warn consumers of the dangers of MTBE and the prosecution alleges that ExxonMobil and Citgo ignored their own experts who said not to use MTBE. 50,000 exhibits have been marked in the Concord, NH, case (http://www.nhd.uscourts.gov/).