Freeman v. State

Darryl Edward Freeman v. State of Maryland, No. 24, September Term, 2023. Opinion by Hotten, J. EVIDENCE – MARYLAND RULES 5-701 AND 5-702 – DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN LAY AND EXPERT TESTIMONY The Supreme Court of Maryland held that testimony by a police officer who opined regarding the definition of the slang term “lick” did not fall under Maryland Rule 5-702. Ragland v. State and its progeny instruct that a witness must be qualified as an expert under Maryland Rule 5-702 when their testimony is beyond the “ken” of a layperson. 385 Md. 706,

870 A.2d 609

(2005). Opining to the colloquial definition…