Matter of Khork

VAUGHN, Chief Judge.

Defendant first contends that it was error for the court to permit David B. Maddrey to testify that, in his opinion as an expert, the fire was not caused by electrical malfunction. We disagree. Generally, “[a]n expert witness is a person who is better qualified than the jury to form an opinion from facts in evidence.” State v. Brackett, 55 N.C. App. 410, 416, 285 S.E. 2d 852, 857, rev’d on other grounds, 306 N.C. 138, 291 S.E. 2d 660 (1982). Stated alternatively, “[t]he essential question determining the admissibility of opinion evidence is whether the witness, through…