State v. Matheson

The sole issue in this appeal from a criminal sentencing is exceptionally narrow. Impact statements by victims of an out-of-state crime should not have been admitted into evidence. The State contends the error in admitting them was harmless and thus does not require reversal. We conclude the error was not harmless and therefore reverse and remand. So doing, we vacate a contrary determination by the court of appeals.

The underlying facts are as outrageous and ominous as they are bizarre. Defendant, Robert Benjamin Matheson, worked at a plant in Spirit Lake where he assaulted three women. In…