People v. Cornille

The principal issue in this appeal is whether a defendant in a criminal trial is denied due process of law when an expert witness for the State later turns out to be an imposter who presented false testimony about his expert qualifications. We conclude that false testimony of this type violates due process and that a defendant convicted because of it is entitled to a new trial.

Following his conviction of arson in the circuit court of Williamson County, the defendant, Amil T. Cornille, filed a petition seeking post-conviction relief alleging that he had been convicted on the basis of false…